USN Trainer markings etc.

[PR19_Kit]

I've been looking up, or TRYING to look up, a scheme and markings for my Double Pancake, but with only limited success.

Assuming  the aircraft wouldn't have got into service till the 50s (the actual programme was cancelled in 1947 without the Pancake ever flying) it'd have been a contemporary of the T-28, and I found this gem of a scheme.



But I can't find out what the markings should be for what the RAF would call an OCU. The pilots for such a complex machine would already have passed their basic training and maybe flown a tour or two with a shipboard squadron before converting to the Pancake, but I can't even find out if the USN had such units.

Does anyone have a link to a good site that would help me please?

[scooter]

According to Wiki, it seems for the most part that Replacement Air Groups (now known as Fleet Replacement Squadrons) are actual line squadrons with a training role, with the exception of the Marine VMx/yzT squadrons. 

[PR19_Kit]

That's handy, thanks. 

They didn't show up at all in my searches.

Which raises another question, just what task was the Pancake meant to cover? Was it a fighter, or an attack aircraft? My money's on attack as it was able to fly very slowly, and by the 50s the jets would have taken over the actual interception tasks.

[zenrat]

Now, is that red or orange...   

[PR19_Kit]

Now, is that red or orange...   

Rorange?

[sandiego89]

Which raises another question, just what task was the Pancake meant to cover? Was it a fighter, or an attack aircraft? My money's on attack as it was able to fly very slowly, and by the 50s the jets would have taken over the actual interception tasks.

I agree with your logic that by the 1950's the Pancake would be doing attack (like the Corsair) leaving fighter/intercept to the jets.  It was designed as a fighter, with high speed, but the unique configuration allowed low speeds for carrier operations.

A great WHIF scenario would be to use them into the 1950's aboard an escort carrier where their STOL capabilities could be used without catapults and arresting gear.  Mix of attack and fighter role. The US Marines would have a STOL aircraft for dispersed field and carrier/LHD use some 20 years before they bought the handy AV8A Harrier!

[zenrat]

Also, their short span makes them ideal for operations through Stargates...

...although that was an Air Force programme.

[chrisonord]

Also, their short span makes them ideal for operations through Stargates...

...although that was an Air Force programme.

[Captain Canada]

I'd go with that trainer scheme, as it is one of the best looking ones out there, and very similar to what the Army uses on their trainers.

[garys]

If you can find it, use Chevrolet Engine Red as a great match for the reddish orange USN trainer color.

-Gary

[PR19_Kit]

If you can find it, use Chevrolet Engine Red as a great match for the reddish orange USN trainer color.

-Gary

Thanks for that, it's really quite an odd colour, and I think I have a bottle of Pactra Chevy engine red somewhere too.

[Dizzyfugu]

Humbrol's 132 is very a good option, too (also very handy for the USAF'S Arctic markings); too bad that the tone just went OOP. 

[zenrat]

Testors did do an enamel Chevy Engine Red which behaved very well IME.
However, i've had trouble restocking all my Testors enamels (mostly car engine colours) recently.  Are they still in production?  Or is it just that they are not being imported to Australia?

[Old Wombat]

I have heard a rumour, unconfirmed, that Testors is going out of the model paint business. Nothing shows up on their website about it, though.

My understanding (supported by my experience, so far) is that their distribution network, in particular in Australia, is pretty ... average? ... poor? ... crap?

[zenrat]

Crap may be too mild a term.
The only place I could reliably get the automotive engine colours was Frontline Hobbies.  And they haven't had them for a while now.

I just checked and they have very little Testors paints.