"1/48th Scale B-17 Molesworth Colo(u)r Question" Topic

I've got a couple of family members who are going to step into the aviation modelling community by assembling a 1/48th B-17 model.

They plan to paint it up in the same scheme that Grand-dad's bird was dressed in… However… We're not sure exactly what colors those were, or what modern acrylics emulate those colors.

We're sticking to acrylics because the youngest contributor to the project is 6, and doesn't need to meet all those fantastic solvents that the big guys love.

As a non-historical gamer/modeller, I beseech you, can anyone point me in the right direction.

Sounds like a fun family activity. What unit etc was your grandfather in? Do you have any photos on line you could link to here so we could have a look and better advise to the correct colours you should use.

Cheers

Ace

Here's a site with lots of B-17s on it. If you know the squadron you can find the plane. These list some FS colors so find a converter and you'll be set.

wp.scn.ru/en/ww2/b/439/3

link

link

Scroll down to about the middle for this one:
link

Molesworth was the home of the 303rd Bomb Group. They've got a very good website: 303rdbg.com

You can search your grandfather's name and possibly find out a specific plane(s) in which he flew missions. That way you can determine the color scheme (o.d./neutral gray or n.m.f.) as well as the squadron code and serial number.

This is a fantastic wealth of help, gents.

The man in question is James E. Cooney, who was in the 303rd, though I'm surprised to see that he is listed with an MOC of "Administrative"… I've passed along the links above to them, and hopefully they can pick a B-17 that flew while he was there. I suspect that choosing that particular plane out of the roster will be the best part of the investigation for them.

Sgt. Cooney is not a direct blood relative of mine (My uncle by marriage's father), but depending on how this all goes, maybe I'll see about getting my own liberator model and doing it up as my own grandfather's plane from the Pacific Theatre.

Thanks again for the tips, and don't be afraid to keep 'em coming if you think of something more.

Glad to help.

Do you know your grandfather's Group?

If you are looking for the exterior color, it was OD41 'dark OD'. I was able to view the original color standard last year & can help you with the color.

PM me