Good morning,
As a long time lurker who has only posted here once many years ago, I find I have a couple of questions regarding the Bell Airacuda. As there were only a dozen or so built it isn’t surprising that the reference material is a bit scarce.

In Dana Bell’s Air Force Colors, Vol. 1, 1926-1942, published by Squadron/Signal Publications in 1979, on page 67 there are 4 photos of the inside of a hanger, I believe, that display several aircraft sporting experimental camouflage schemes. One can glimpse a YFM-1 in the 2 center pictures, but in deep shadows. Are there any photos, drawings, or profiles that would give some hint of the pattern worn? I can make out dark over light, but that is about the extent of it.

In J. V. Mizrahi’s Air Corps, published by Sentry Publications in 1970, on page 115 it mentions that several were part of the 23rd Composite Group on submarine patrol out of Orlando, Florida, in the October 1941 to January 1942 time frame. Would the aircraft have retained the natural metal finish, or been in a camouflage scheme of some sort? It was a time of flux, so either would be feasible.

And yes, I bought both of these books new, 35 and 44 years ago!

Aside from these 2 tomes I cannot find anything specific ever published regarding the plane, at least as far as something other than natural metal finish is concerned.

Thank you in advance for any direction you can provide.

Best regards,
Alan

I actually have both of those books myself. J. V. Mizrahi’s "Air Corps" is rare, but a good resource. My assumption is that if Dana Bell hasn't uncovered better pictures of an "Airacuda" in camo, nobody will.

Thank you. Of course maybe Mr. Bell wasn't looking for anything new. One can always hope.
Regards,
Alan

Of course I could always do this. It's real, isn't it?

linkname

Even if its a what-if it would be awesome. That post card is good enough reason to make a model. nothing wrong with what-if anyway. we sometimes do entire campaigns of what-if here.

Yeah, it looks like I may have to get 2 or 3 more kits, one for each scheme or potential scheme.