I am building a Hobbyboss British fleet air arms Hellcat Mk.II. This will be my first attempt at airbrushing a camouflage pattern I am worried I am going to wreck the model after spending a lot of time building it. Been doing research on technique. My question is was there a consistent way the camo was painted on the real plane? I read on another forum that a paint mask was used on all the planes. Really? every single Hellcat had a similar paint job? not according to my Hobbyboss paint guide would painting on an random pattern be wrong? Thanks you.

Most british aircraft had an A and a B pattern, which are the same but flipped left to right. Do your instructions not have a paint diagram?

Best I could do in five minutes - Profile from Aircraft Monogram #20

I do, the 'marking and painting' guide show two versions, definitely different camo patterns. Is hobby boss wrong?

I would go with the paint scheme they show for your markings. I'm sure they did some research and it wouldn't be uncommon for planes to be repainted in the field.

Looking at the top image of both schemes, it looks like they've been mirrored front to back.

The A scheme and B scheme is RAF practice, but I can't concretely say that the RN did the same with their aircraft.

Very interesting, it does seem to be mirrored.what threw me off is that the pattern looks different due to the location of the camo pattern on the opposite side......if I am making sense you guys are great, thank you.