The Ship Model Forum

Both colors are accurately matched & available in our Colourcoats:

ACUS 05 Light Gray: https://www.whiteensignmodels.com/p/WWII+USN+Light+Gray+AC+US+05/434/

ACUS 06 Non-specular Blue-Gray: https://www.whiteensignmodels.com/p/WWII+USN+Blue+Gray+FS25189+AC+US+06/435/

Don't be put off by the lid color--that's just a generic photo we use for all the Colourcoats paints.

Check Model Master on their website.

Back a long time ago, when I was doing Navy wingy things, I remember how happy we were when Testors first brought out the line because we at last had the proper colors.

For another angle, check here
ahttp://www.ipmsstockholm.org/colorcharts/stuff_eng_colorcharts_us.htm

Or

http://www.flightdecs.ca/A_iliad_charts.htm

Thanks a bunch. Now to find a good paint match for the grey and blue!

Fortunately, there is more information available that is commonly thought re: 1942 USN carrier markings and Midway, including photos and movies.

First, all USN aircraft were non-specular blue-grey over light-grey in June 1942. That should make painting the aircraft easier.

Roundel size and position, as well as the color and position and composition of side numbers is more variable. You'll note this as you go through some of the references below.

Now on to the good stuff.

John Ford had cameramen on HORNET in May and June 1942. The footage, along with other film made at Midway, ended up being used in two films: TORPEDO SQUADRON 8 and THE BATTLE OF MIDWAY. While trying to glean colors from 70+ year old movies can be difficult due to a number of variables, they are nevertheless an excellent resource for things like the size and position of roundels, composition of side numbers, etc.

TORPEDO SQUADRON 8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsK1PeoMfNQ (unfortunately, not the original USN film - someone added music not in the original, which in my opinion takes away from the mood set by Ford. Anyways, the movie starts at the 1:30 mark)

Additionally, here are some stills made for my website by author Mark Horan. The stills were taken from an excellent copy of the movie.

http://www.centuryinter.net/midway/Carrier_Squadrons/Torpedo_Eight/in_color.html

The movie and stills should offer excellent examples of TBD-1s. You note a lack of consistency among the roundels (in the video you'll note T-5 still has a center red circle on the port underside wing) and side numbers on the two TBD profiles (one set is forward of the fuselage roundel, one aft).

BATTLE OF MIDWAY
John Ford's battle of Midway film includes other scenes from HORNET just before and at Midway.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi4HwxOZDJw

While I recommend watching the whole movie if you haven't seen it, scenes filmed on HORNET and with HORNET aircraft start about the 9:30 mark.

Some other highlights:
10:14 VF-8 F4F-4s taking off.
10:23 VS-8 SBD-3 taking off, with a nice shot of the dive breaks/flaps.
10:33 VT-8s take off on the morning of 4 June 1942.
10:50 Another VS-8 SBD-3 taking off
11:54 VF-3 film taken around 8 June. While the the individual plane markings might not match VF-8 (especially VF-3's Felix the Cat), it should be a good match for colors schemes.

Finally, if you are interested in matching side numbers, bureau numbers and plan crews, that information (where known) can be found at:

http://www.centuryinter.net/midway/appendix/appendixfour_us_carrier_airgoups.html#hag

Hopefully that helps you out.

Chris

My source book says that for 1942 "A non-specular grey-green called 'sea green' was adopted as side and top surface camouflage........undersurfaces were light grey."

That said, all, or almost all color renditions I have seen are a light blue on top and light gull grey undersides.

See http://www.fritzthefox.com/american_camo_guide.html and scroll down to the F4F

I am trying to find a good source for the colors used for Topedo, Scouting, Fighting, and Bombing 8 during Midway for both the top and bottoms.

Did any of them have the black antiskid markings on the wing? I have also seen the SBD dive flap insides painted red on some models. Is that accurate?

While I am at it, what color was the ordinance?

If anyone knows anything on this or can point me in a direction I would appreciate it.