Hi guys, I've just ordered the 1/32 Revell (ex-Matchbox) Douglas Dauntless and would like to make it as one of the nine aircraft used by the Fleet Air Arm for trials in 1944.
As these were non-operational aircraft would they have been in the standard Dark Sea Grey / Slate Grey/ Sky finish or some other scheme, perhaps even left in the US colours?
Loads of research has turned up all the serial numbers allocated, bases on which they were used but no pics.

Hi Dave!

Accordind to Squadron's SBD Dauntless Walk Around n°33, the planes had the classical US Navy mid-war scheme: NS Insignia white, NS Intermediate Blue (FS35164) and NS Sea Blue (FS35042).
Here is the picture these informations are based upon:



And here is a color interpretation I found on the web:



It is barely visible but the roundels on the side of the plane may have had a yellow surrounding. On some old photos, the yellow appears very dark. But this is only speculation! Sure is they didn't carry roundels under the wings!

Jean-Luc

Hi Dave

According to a photo of JS997 (one of the nine) - they were painted in standard USN colours (Sea Blue, Intermediate Blue & White).

All the best

Rowan

EDIT - That's the one in the photo Jean-Luc has added while I was typing! :-)

Thanks a lot guys - have to buy some more paint now! At least I have plenty of spare decals.