I am in the process of painting my P-40B in the flying tiger markings(chinese)mainly chennaults squadron and would like to know what the colors would be.
I have posted on many other modeling websites about this same question and have received all sorts of answers.I was told at one posting that the P-40B have a 3 tone camouflage,others say anywhere from 2-4 tone camouflage.
I also have seen many pictures of artwork on this subject but as usual it seems that it is the old artist conception that seem to be the name of the game.
So if any of you can please tell me what the colors are 2,3,or 4 tone camouflage,it would be of great help.
Thank you.

As far as I know they were painted RAF standard dark earth/dark green over sky. I believe the paints used were US equivalent shades, and I used to know the colors used but don't any more. I'm guessing someone here can help. I know in some photos it looks like more shades, but I think those are places where RAF markings were painted out and others where varnish was used to glue down the Flying Tigers markings, so they're more differences in finish than color.

Hope this helps a bit!

Michael

so you are saying that there was only 2 tone paint scheme and not 3,is this correct?

Hi it should be 2 tone upper and the underside and the paint was Dupont equivalents of RAF Dark Earth and Dark Green with US Aircraft Grey under surfaces. It seems the Dark Green was scalloped to a degree.
References I have for the colours are as follows.
Dupont Dark Earth – Tamiya Flat Earth darkened with Nato Brown
Dupont Dark Green – Mix of Tamiya dark green and Olive green
Lower Surfaces – a mix of Tamiya Neutral grey and Light Blue
Osprey’s ‘Modelling the P40’ by Brett Green is a good reference
EDIT - I think the scalloping may be where the RAF roundels have been over painted as noted in a previous post above.

Hi Spud

The scallops were part of the factory finish, ready for the roundels to be applied afterwards. They're usually only mentioned on the wings, but I think I can see the shape of them on the fuselage too - it's just not quite as obvious, because they don't clip into the border between the colours so much.

All the best

Rowan

Cheers Rowan. That's a fun fact, makes sense when you think about it.

Thank you everyone for the information given.

This is a great pic for....studying the paint on the P-40.

What P - 40 ? Oh - wait a minute - now I see it !