A WIF or not a Wif that is the question.

[TsrJoe]

Hawk through John Andrews always did have unusual schemes for their models, my own favourite was the 'US Diplomatic Corps' OV.10 Bronco (very 'Air America') ... different 

[Dork the kit slayer]

 
Your so right there "Joe". That said just about every kit manufacturer had a leaning to the more colourful(eye catching) than the historical.Some bordered on the the inhaling of banned substances ( tongue in cheek- Mods and Lawyers please note) Many did however have some basis in observation. I remember as a kid ( old man Simpson mode) getting the Aurora Zero,box art resplendent in bright yellow, as was the plastic.This was sometime around the late 50's and it is only now that colour research into Japanese WW2 colours is leaning towards a caramel (yellowish)type colour. Not,I grant you, vivid yellow..................................................but who knows ( fades out with manic and sinister laughter)

[The Rat]

Your so right there "Joe". That said just about every kit manufacturer had a leaning to the more colourful(eye catching) than the historical.Some bordered on the the inhaling of banned substances ( tongue in cheek- Mods and Lawyers please note) Many did however have some basis in observation. I remember as a kid ( old man Simpson mode) getting the Aurora Zero,box art resplendent in bright yellow, as was the plastic.This was sometime around the late 50's and it is only now that colour research into Japanese WW2 colours is leaning towards a caramel (yellowish)type colour. Not,I grant you, vivid yellow..................................................but who knows ( fades out with manic and sinister laughter)

That could be an idea for a group build, or at least a series by some enterprising individual. Look for all the spurious box art we can find, and build the contents just the same way.   

[RussC]

Actually, there is a builder who did indeed build up a set of the old Aurora's, painted as per the box art, with the requisite pairs of 150 lb practice bombs under each wing. The Zero, medium yellow with red details and cowl, just like in the old comic books (hint hint) and the Focke-wulf in black with a yellow cowl, plus the Spitfire in a deep turquoise and the 109 in brilliant Richtofen Red. That maker (Aurora)did have some good artists for the era too and got it right on many other kits, like the P-40 and 1950's jets.

[The Rat]

Actually, there is a builder who did indeed build up a set of the old Aurora's, painted as per the box art, with the requisite pairs of 150 lb practice bombs under each wing. The Zero, medium yellow with red details and cowl, just like in the old comic books (hint hint) and the Focke-wulf in black with a yellow cowl, plus the Spitfire in a deep turquoise and the 109 in brilliant Richtofen Red. That maker did have some good artists for the era too and got it right on many other kits, like the P-40 and 1950's jets.

Be nice to see!  And kudos to the man!

[Dork the kit slayer]

That could be an idea for a group build, or at least a series by some enterprising individual. Look for all the spurious box art we can find, and build the contents just the same way.   

Not exactly what we were talking about..but pretty fanciful box art.






Radish would most probably incorporate meerkats

[Dork the kit slayer]

In case some of our younger "Wiffers" dont know what we oldies are rabbiting about.

[NARSES2]

I've never seen that Airfix Walrus boxing - just love the "punchup" going on, on the straboard wing 

And don't give Radish any more ideas, he has enough as it is 

[martinbayer]

Hawk through John Andrews always did have unusual schemes for their models, my own favourite was the 'US Diplomatic Corps' OV.10 Bronco (very 'Air America') ... different 

TsrJoe,

was that the "Patrol and Aid Mission Aircraft" boxing shown in this Secretprojects thread http://www.secretprojects.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,6305.msg134983.html#msg134983?

Martin

[TsrJoe]

Cheers Martin, thats the one, the kit itself represented a pre production Bronco, indeed iv a second example in its more usual 'Tri Service' scheme 

[Dork the kit slayer]

Come on guys  this show and tell

[philp]

Think the Hawk scheme would look nice on this guys model.



While searching I found this.  Now I gotta get a Hasagawa 72nd Cougar kit.

[raafif]

That Airfix Walrus is obviously the VERY RARE "Biggles" edition

I think Aurora MAY have got their artwork right !!!!!  In a book on the attack of Broome, West Australia one witness stated that the Zeros had coloured cowlings -- red & yellow were stated - maybe section ID colours ?

                But as no-one else has confirmation maybe he was seeing things

[NARSES2]

This was sometime around the late 50's and it is only now that colour research into Japanese WW2 colours is leaning towards a caramel (yellowish)type colour. Not,I grant you, vivid yellow..................................................but who knows ( fades out with manic and sinister laughter)

The Pearl Harbour Museum has the wing tip of a downed Japanese aircraft (not sure if it's a Zero) and where the dark green has worn and exposed the undercoat it is definitely a brown/caramel colour.

Some Japanese naval aircraft, especially formation leaders, were painted in some very garish colours. All down to a case of "follow the leader" whilst navigating to and from the target area.

[lancer]

The Walrus boxtop is pretty cool, but with the engine in flames like that I'm surprised it's still in the air....