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General Forums => Custom Skins => Topic started by: Greebo on October 02, 2010, 02:35:16 AM

Title: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: Greebo on October 02, 2010, 02:35:16 AM
Lyric1 found me some photos and a profile of this Mosquito Mk 16 scheme. It is a photo reconnaisance aircraft of 684 Squadron based in Dum Dum in India in late 1944. Mosquitos in the SEAC area were painted silver in an attempt to reduce internal temperatures caused by solar heating. This was believed to be causing glue joints in the aircraft to fail with disastrous results. In fact it was due to poor quality control in some De Havilland factories as much as anything.

(http://www.gfg06.dial.pipex.com/screenshots4/684_Sqn_Mossie_Mk16_SC1.jpg)

(http://www.gfg06.dial.pipex.com/screenshots4/684_Sqn_Mossie_Mk16_SC2.jpg)

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/moz3-1.png)

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/mozxvi1a-1.png)
Title: Re: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: JOACH1M on October 02, 2010, 09:34:18 AM
Looks awsome!! :aok
Title: Re: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: Fencer51 on October 02, 2010, 09:44:47 AM
How disappointing..  the tail flash and bar extend too far to the rudder...  :rofl

Nice work as always Greebo!

Seriously though, doesn't it appear to have bigger upper wing roundels in the last picture?
Title: Re: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: TwinBoom on October 02, 2010, 12:12:28 PM
 :aok
Title: Re: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: Greebo on October 02, 2010, 01:12:35 PM
Thanks guys.

I think you are right Fencer, the wing roundels should be a bit bigger. I'll amend that and move the fin flashes forward a bit. Thank you for the feedback.
Title: Re: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: lyric1 on October 02, 2010, 04:15:21 PM
Nice :aok Agree with Fencer points as well.
Title: Re: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: Plazus on October 02, 2010, 07:22:20 PM
She's a beauty! :aok
Title: Re: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: StokesAk on October 02, 2010, 07:31:22 PM
Looks really nice, got any other in the works?
Title: Re: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: Slash27 on October 02, 2010, 11:23:50 PM
 :aok
Title: Re: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: Greebo on October 03, 2010, 03:41:04 AM
Next skin will be this 140 Sqn PRU blue Mk 16 that Lyric posted in the Mossie skins thread. Its ID markings are a bit different to the 680 Sqn skin that FTJR is doing. Also, I intend to do a Mk 16 bomber with black undersides, probably 105 Sqn but I haven't researched it properly yet.

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/moss16b.jpg)
Title: Re: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: lyric1 on October 03, 2010, 03:09:49 PM
Also, I intend to do a Mk 16 bomber with black undersides, probably 105 Sqn but I haven't researched it properly yet.

Not easy finding pictures of the XVI with the partial black schemes here is what I have.

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/9_61.jpg)

The American aircraft are interesting the only problem is I can't find a complete picture of one or I can only find a profile as in the examples below. These are all 492ND bomb group.

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/mossie.jpg)

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/Mossie20Patty.jpg)

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/Mosquito_PRMkXVI_K.jpg)

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/3_7.jpg)

Title: Re: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: DrBone1 on October 03, 2010, 09:49:44 PM
 :x :x Great work!
Title: Re: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: Greebo on October 04, 2010, 04:13:15 AM
Thanks Lyric, I'll do a skin that's similar to the 692 Sqn one. Not that specific one however, as is the same squadron as the default skin.  I may do the 105 Sqn Mk IX profile from the same book if I don't find something better

The 25th BG night scheme wasn't something I'd considered, but I may well give that a go too.
Title: Re: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: lyric1 on October 04, 2010, 05:04:36 PM
Thanks Lyric, I'll do a skin that's similar to the 692 Sqn one. Not that specific one however, as is the same squadron as the default skin.  I may do the 105 Sqn Mk IX profile from the same book if I don't find something better

The 25th BG night scheme wasn't something I'd considered, but I may well give that a go too.
I believe the last profile is listed incorrectly it is not part of the 25TH bomb group. It belongs to the 492ND Bomb group the Carpetbaggers.

http://www.harringtonmuseum.org.uk/CarpetbaggerMuseumHomePage.htm

Also some RAF partial black aircraft profiles I forgot I had,& a link to a model of one of the aircraft below.

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/mossie1-2.jpg)

http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Gal5/4801-4900/gal4813_Mosquito_Milne/00.shtm

Also found two pictures of the same aircraft,some sites list it as a Canadian bird others say it was with the USAAF?

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/Mosquito20PR_XVI.jpg)

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/rcafmoz16.jpg)

Backing up to one of my earlier pictures of Greex I found this model that might tie it to the 492ND profile NS725? I think it is wishful thinking though as I cant find anything else on it. May be some one else has some more info about it?

http://airfixtributeforum.myfastforum.org/index.php?component=content&topicid=9802

This aircraft is very interesting it is a 25TH bomb group aircraft that was shot down by mistake by B17 gunners. The only issue is I cant make out the letter code on the tail? Playing around with it on Kodak's easy share it looks as if it could be a K or a R,my personal opinion it is a strange shaped letter X? Can't tell for sure. If any one has a better picture I think this would make a good addition only because of the nose art.



(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/sc009cf8a9.jpg)

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/ns63525bg.jpg)

http://forum.armyairforces.com/25th-bg-mosquitos-m78041.aspx
Title: Re: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: lyric1 on October 04, 2010, 10:09:01 PM
Some more pictures I found of 492ND Bomb group mosquito's.

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/0157.jpg)

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/0188.jpg)

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/0199.jpg)

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/0270.jpg)

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/0275.jpg)

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/0276.jpg)

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/0293.jpg)

This plane seems to have a lot going on a red tail I believe gloss black on the main fuselage & it looks to be all over the plane except the sides of the engine nacelles & on top towards the front of the plane. What colour ? not sure blue maybe. Red spinners?

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/MosquitoOblique.jpg)

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/MosquitoTaxiing.jpg)
Title: Re: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: Fencer51 on October 04, 2010, 11:10:31 PM
(http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/081028-F-1234P-001.jpg)

(http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/photos/060526-F-1234S-005.jpg)

USAFM Mosquito.

Quote
The aircraft on display is a British-built B. Mk. 35 manufactured in 1946 (later converted for towing targets) and is similar to the P.R. Mk. XVIs used by the USAAF. It was flown to the museum in February 1985. This Mosquito, serial RS709, has been restored to a Mk. XVI configuration and painted as NS519, a weather reconnaissance aircraft of the 653rd Bombardment Squadron based in England in 1944-1945.

Mosquito Markings
Just before D-Day (the June 6, 1944, invasion of France), black and white stripes were applied almost overnight to a vast majority of U.S. and British aircraft to clearly identify them during the Normandy landings. In the rush to mark all the aircraft, masking and spraying sometimes gave way to more expeditious method of painting them by hand.

Invasion stripes, like the ones being applied by the ground crewman in the museum's exhibit, would have completely encircled the wings and fuselage. The 25th Bombardment Group adopted a red tail for their Mosquitoes in August 1944 and removed the invasion stripes from the upper wing and upper fuselage surfaces in September 1944.
Title: Re: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: Plazus on October 04, 2010, 11:24:00 PM
Looks really nice, got any other in the works?

Cactus is working on a 305 Squadron Mosquito Mk.6. Last I heard, he had everything finished except for the small details. Not sure how much is left he has to do. It's been driving me crazy! I can't wait to see what it is like when he finishes it.

Not easy finding pictures of the XVI with the partial black schemes here is what I have.

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/9_61.jpg)

The American aircraft are interesting the only problem is I can't find a complete picture of one or I can only find a profile as in the examples below. These are all 492ND bomb group.

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/mossie.jpg)

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/Mossie20Patty.jpg)

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/Mosquito_PRMkXVI_K.jpg)

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/3_7.jpg)



Lyric1, I like the profile with the "K" on the vertical stabilizer. Where did you get those profiles?
Title: Re: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: Greebo on October 05, 2010, 03:40:45 AM
Thanks for all the photos Lyric, I think I'll do GB-F from 105 Sqn after the 140 Sqn PRU blue one. After that it will be one of the 25th BG night schemes, haven't decided which yet.

I noticed the USAAF black is a bit glossier than the RAF colour from the photos.
Title: Re: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: lyric1 on October 05, 2010, 03:56:26 PM
Cactus is working on a 305 Squadron Mosquito Mk.6. Last I heard, he had everything finished except for the small details. Not sure how much is left he has to do. It's been driving me crazy! I can't wait to see what it is like when he finishes it.

Lyric1, I like the profile with the "K" on the vertical stabilizer. Where did you get that profile?

http://www.mossie.org/books/aeroslides/mosquito_cd.htm The others are from the web & books I have.
Title: Re: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: Plazus on October 05, 2010, 08:17:39 PM
Ah yes I know that website. Thank you for sharing!
Title: Re: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: lyric1 on October 06, 2010, 03:42:42 PM
A few more profiles for you all.

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/mossie2-2-1.jpg)

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/mossie3-1.jpg)

Found a profile for this aircraft that I had posted a photo of before. I guess this one is all black the only problem is the profile has a typo. It should read 492ND.

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/0157.jpg)

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/mossie4-1.jpg)
Title: Re: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: lyric1 on July 31, 2011, 01:34:16 AM

Lyric1, I like the profile with the "K" on the vertical stabilizer. Where did you get those profiles?

Found a photo of the K mossie profile I listed in this thread earlier.

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/avgp404-1.jpg)
Title: Re: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: lyric1 on January 07, 2015, 05:42:33 PM
This aircraft is very interesting it is a 25TH bomb group aircraft that was shot down by mistake by B17 gunners. The only issue is I cant make out the letter code on the tail? Playing around with it on Kodak's easy share it looks as if it could be a K or a R,my personal opinion it is a strange shaped letter X? Can't tell for sure. If any one has a better picture I think this would make a good addition only because of the nose art.



(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/sc009cf8a9.jpg)

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/ns63525bg.jpg)

http://forum.armyairforces.com/25th-bg-mosquitos-m78041.aspx

I found a clearer photo of Patches the letter on the tail is I.
If anyone wanted to do it.

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/Mosquitos/BpbNn_7IUAACK33_zps9a06dffe.jpg) (http://s1002.photobucket.com/user/barneybolac/media/Mosquitos/BpbNn_7IUAACK33_zps9a06dffe.jpg.html)

Title: Re: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: lyric1 on January 07, 2015, 06:03:00 PM
While on XVI's here is a RAF 128 squadron nothing special with markings we just don't have this squadron in game though.

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/Mosquitos/B_Mk_XVI_RV927_zps4ad862a5.jpg) (http://s1002.photobucket.com/user/barneybolac/media/Mosquitos/B_Mk_XVI_RV927_zps4ad862a5.jpg.html)

(http://i1002.photobucket.com/albums/af142/barneybolac/Mosquitos/879290ADS2048-01220Mosquito20image201_zpsddb7ecd5.jpg) (http://s1002.photobucket.com/user/barneybolac/media/Mosquitos/879290ADS2048-01220Mosquito20image201_zpsddb7ecd5.jpg.html)

http://www.1y2gm.net/t3026-reviendo-al-de-havilland-dh-98-mosquito
Title: Re: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: Scherf on January 16, 2015, 08:23:20 PM
Great pics Lyric, but the serial number on the profile immediately above should be RV297, not RV927.

(Yes, I am pathetic ... )
Title: Re: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: lyric1 on January 16, 2015, 10:23:47 PM
Great pics Lyric, but the serial number on the profile immediately above should be RV297, not RV927.

(Yes, I am pathetic ... )

Good catch. :aok

Another example of beware of inaccuracy's of profiles.
Title: Re: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: Scherf on January 18, 2015, 05:54:13 AM
True, though that "Oboe Leader" profile is interesting, wasn't aware of that before.

There's a (large!) colour picture of RG157 Q of the Carpetbaggers here:

http://media.iwm.org.uk/iwm/mediaLib/rfc/FRE_005447.jpg
Title: Re: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: lyric1 on January 18, 2015, 11:47:54 AM

There's a (large!) colour picture of RG157 Q of the Carpetbaggers here:

http://media.iwm.org.uk/iwm/mediaLib/rfc/FRE_005447.jpg

I only seen this photo a few weeks ago of RG157 it clearly had a change of paint at some point in time from a red Q and a white Q as seen in the black and white photos. Painting a red ring around the nose glass I thought was most striking feature about that colour photo.
Title: Re: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: Scherf on January 19, 2015, 04:15:20 AM
Yeah, there were some pretty unique aircraft on that unit - Greex, Patty, this one...
Title: Re: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: Greebo on January 20, 2015, 04:17:43 PM
There's a (large!) colour picture of RG157 Q of the Carpetbaggers here:
http://media.iwm.org.uk/iwm/mediaLib/rfc/FRE_005447.jpg

That photo is of NS581, so presumably NS157 was shot down, transferred or retired and the squadron letter Q reassigned to it. The scheme appears to be US Jet black undersides with RAF PRU blue above. A couple of odd things I noticed; the upper nose and cowlings appear to be PRU blue but I can't see that colour on on the upper rear fuselage. Also the rudder looks to have been painted olive drab.
Title: Re: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: lyric1 on January 20, 2015, 05:36:08 PM
That photo is of NS581, so presumably NS157 was shot down, transferred or retired and the squadron letter Q reassigned to it. The scheme appears to be US Jet black undersides with RAF PRU blue above. A couple of odd things I noticed; the upper nose and cowlings appear to be PRU blue but I can't see that colour on on the upper rear fuselage. Also the rudder looks to have been painted olive drab.

I can see blue on the leading edge of the horizontal stab on the tail. Also a small dot of blue on the fuselage just under the rudder.
Title: Re: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: Greebo on January 20, 2015, 05:47:05 PM
I think the lighter colour on the leading edge of the vertical tail is just the reflection of the dawn/dusk sun in the glossy black paint. You can see the same reflections on the spinners and drop tanks. I agree the blue spot above the horizontal tail is PRU blue, but this is likely an extension of a PRU blue painted upper horizontal tail. I was just wondering if the upper rear fuselage between the wing and tail was painted black or PRU blue.
Title: Re: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: Scherf on January 25, 2015, 10:10:51 PM
That photo is of NS581, so presumably NS157 was shot down, transferred or retired and the squadron letter Q reassigned to it. The scheme appears to be US Jet black undersides with RAF PRU blue above. A couple of odd things I noticed; the upper nose and cowlings appear to be PRU blue but I can't see that colour on on the upper rear fuselage. Also the rudder looks to have been painted olive drab.

Good catch on the serial, though I think the order of events would have been the other way round, as NS581 came off the production lines around the middle of July 1944, RG157 not until near the end of March 1945. I've made reference to Thomas Ensminger's Carpetbaggers site elsewhere on the boards - he lists all the sorties the unit flew, and they didn't actually use Mossies operationally until mid-March '45. RG157 Q is listed three times, 23/24 April 1945, 28/29 April 1945 and 29/30 April 1945. The first of those sorties was 6 1/2 hours! The other two were staged through Dijon. I assume they were "Joan-Eleanor" sorties to pick up radio messages from agents, though Norman Malayney's book may have more info.
Title: Re: 684 Squadron Mosquito Mk 16
Post by: Greebo on January 26, 2015, 12:37:43 PM
Thanks for the info Scherf. I may skin one of these part-black Mossies at some point, its a different enough scheme to the day USAAF one I have already done.