The Arsenal VG40 - an Anglo-French mix that almost happened - FIN

[PR19_Kit]

Here's the VG 40 complete with nicely faired in Merlin III.



Note the multiple machine guns in the wings too, and on the underside I've added a couple of link ejector fairings, copies of the ones moulded into the wings of course. That large hole under the nose was filled in quite nicely with some sawn down bits of the original HS engine and some styrene scraps, plus the inevitable PSR of course.

[Old Wombat]

Looking good, Kit! 


Wings are a bit short, though. 

[PR19_Kit]

Wings are a bit short, though. 

Yeah, the French never quite got 'ailes plus longues', except maybe for Mr. Hurel Dubois! 

[NARSES2]

It is looking good 

[PR19_Kit]

It's on it's white metal wheels etc. now, and also has some 'extras' added, like a tailwheel, oil cooler and carb intake from the Spitfire V kit that provided the engine.





The rest of it's awaiting the French paint set, which should be arriving today. 

[NARSES2]

French 1940 camo scheme is one of my favourites, along with the Dutch 

[PR19_Kit]

The paint set arrived just after I posted those pics, and the underside pale blue/grey is already on, but it'll need another coat, it's VERY thin.

[PR19_Kit]

French Air Force WWII colour schemes never were all that straighforward, seemingly having totally different schemes for each type in service and even different schemes for each unit as well.

As there were very few VG 33s that saw combat I'm trying to go with a scheme for one of them, but can I find one that's consistent across a number of pics? NO chance!

Not only that, the scheme given on the Pegasus box art, the only scheme noted anywhere in the kit, makes no sense as at all as it's so difficult to 'decode' the various colours from the '50 shades of grey' drawing!     

I think I'll just make it up, so it looks a bit French, so it's Gris Bleu Claire on the underside and so far I've got some Terre du Sienna patches on top. I'll add more colours as seem appropriate.

[The Rat]

French Air Force WWII colour schemes never were all that straighforward, seemingly having totally different schemes for each type in service and even different schemes for each unit as well.

I think the chaps in charge just gave the erks (or French equivalent) a few spray cans of paint, a bottle of brandy, and said "Have a few drinks and do what you want." 

[NARSES2]

Probably find the "Les erks" in charge had all spent a year or so in Montmatre beforehand 

I honestly don't think there was a "standard" pattern when it comes to French camouflage of the 39/40 period. So it's a case of go with what you feel is right.

Here's the Hobby 2000 instruction sheet for the markings/camo of the D.520. Might be of help ?

You cannot view this attachment.

The paint set arrived just after I posted those pics, and the underside pale blue/grey is already on, but it'll need another coat, it's VERY thin.

Is this the Hataka "Blue Box" set Kit ?

[PR19_Kit]

Here's the Hobby 2000 instruction sheet for the markings/camo of the D.520. Might be of help ?

Is this the Hataka "Blue Box" set Kit ?

That's a very handy diagram Chris, thanks very much. It looks a lot better than Chris Gannon's drawing for the VG 33.

And yes, it is the Hataka Blue Line set, works a treat of course. 

[Gondor]

I had a go at the French colour scheme with a Hawker Hurricane ten years ago 

Gondor

[mat]

Found these on my hard disc. I have no idea of the source.

You cannot view this attachment.

You cannot view this attachment.

[PR19_Kit]

As I said back then Alastair, the Hurricane does look VERY French. 

And thanks for those schemes too Mat, they're as complicated as the Pegasus ones. I'll see how things progress.

[PR19_Kit]

Is this the Hataka "Blue Box" set Kit ?

Have you tried those colours Chris, and if so how did you get on with them?

Their 'Vert' seems far too light and doesn't match any French green that I've seen, so I mixed it with some RAF Dark Green till it got to a shade I'm more happy with. And I can't find a single scheme that uses the 'Brun Negro' colour anywhere.