My USN Blue-Grays

[Epap1]

I really like the blue-gray over gray schemes used by U.S. Navy aircraft during the early days of our involvement in WW2. I'm especially fond of those wearing the red and white striped tails and the stars with those red dots in the center, but these markings were abandoned by the end of May 1942 to avoid confusion with the Japanese national insignias so only some of my replicas sport them. Here are some of my USN models, starting with three 1:48th scale items---a Franklin Mint diecast SBD and two kit-builds----a TBD and a Vindicator:

[Epap1]

Here are three more 1:48s---all diecasts from Hobby Master but with new paint jobs, weathering, etc.:

[Epap1]

Turning to the 1:72nd scale, here is a group of fighters from Corgi, Oxford, HM and Dragon:

[Epap1]

Another group of USN fighters, including two Easy Model F4Fs:

[Epap1]

Finally, some dive bombers and torpedo planes:

[A-Holt]

It's an incredible skill you have there Epap, the weathering beggars belief.

[Blue Angel No.5]

Epap, that weathering is outstanding! Thanks for sharing.

[Epap1]

Thanks, guys. I find that I must weather and stain many of my diecast models to make them look more realistic. I also redo many models----the USN blue-grays being a good example-----because the diecast manufacturers invariably use overly dark colors. Even when then get the shade correct, they should lighten the colors by about 15% for 1:72nd scale models and 10% for 1:48s to account for the visual diffusion that is apparent when we look at things from a distance---the so-called "scale effect".

[Skinner67]

Great work! I think I'll send you my Buffalo for the treatment. It looks like it rolled off the factory floor, then some Hollywood execs came over and put lipstick on it.

Where do you display these thousands of models?

[Epap1]

Thanks, Scott.

I have displays in three rooms but the largest, which houses my WW2 U.S. warbirds as well as those of Germany, Japan and the UK, looks like this. Here's a view of the first two cabinets as one enters the room:

[Epap1]

Continuing along the wall and curving around:

[Epap1]

Finally, three more cabinets:

[mar_ji]

Impressive collection, Epap.....wish I had so much space as you do....