"RAF Transport Command Aircraft Colors" Topic

Since I have a 50-year-old model of Beach Super 18 in excellent condition, I figure that I should find some use for it. Obviously, it isn't a combat aircraft but it was used mostly as a VIP transport under the designation C-45 Expeditor being flown by USAAF, RAF and other militaries during and after WW2.

However, there was a report that a squadron of them were mounted with light bombs and put on stand-by for use during D-Day. While looking for markings of these ersatz bombers, I came across this aircraft which is painted to match the markings of an aircraft used in a RAF communications unit:
picture

The upper surfaces seem to be pretty standard, as they match this aircraft abpic.co.uk/photo/1094489 I would like to know the actual colors so I can get the corresponding Testors paint. But, the bright yellow – which I've seen referenced on Horsa and Hamilcar gliders as well – isn't just "Insignia Yellow", is it?

Wyatt

The shade's called "trainer yellow" and you can probably figure out its usual use…. ;-) Testors, amongst others, do a specific paint for it.

Dom.

Thanks, Dom!

What are the proper names for the Brown and Green?

Wyatt

In RAF terms that would be "Dark Earth" and "Dark Green".

Which, for an aircraft that size, at the time of D-Day, would be unusual – the Dark Earth had been replaced by Dark Sea Grey from mid 41 onward: heavy bombers seem to have kept the dark earth/ dark green but pretty much everything else I've seen switched from earth to grey

I had to resort to an Osprey book on modeling the Mosquito to get some answers. Apparently it was fighters that made the switch to Dark Sea Grey after mid-1941. I did locate the Testors Dark Earth and Dark Green (also named in the book), but Testors has apparently dropped "Trainer Yellow" so I'm thinking that "Chrome Yellow" is the color to go with as opposed to the "Insignia Yellow", "Japanese Dark Yellow" or the German Dark Yellow.

Wyatt

Not according to the Testors website…. SKU #2063, RAF Trainer Yellow. (Look under "Model Master" and then "WWII US / United Kingdom."

Dom, thinking chrome yellow's too dark; I'd more likely go for insignia yellow.

PS – Phil, don't forget that transports usually stayed in brown and green; think of all those lovely Dakotas and gliders….

Humbrol/Airfix make RAF trainer yellow code 24, but I agree with Dom, D/Earth & D/Green with Light blue/grey under surfaces would be more appropriate