Ideas for inter-wars biplane colour scheme

[Doug ex-em4]

For some reason, I was given an Airfix WW1 biplane model for Christmas. I'm thinking I could make use of it as a pulpy, adventurer's steed but, as usual, I'm struggling for a nice colour scheme. I want something striking but simple.

Any ideas, preferably with image links if possible.

thanks.

Doug

[Plynkes]

For me the classic inter-war biplane look is this...


Shiny shiny metal.

[TadPortly]

how about these:

[fairoaks024]

the classic american interwar scheme as ssen on the boeing p-12e is my favourite...

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.aviation-news.co.uk/media/oct-07-03.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.aviation-news.co.uk/usaf%4060.html&usg=__wyrx7tO5SZxyII6lrzhEus1vHKg=&h=337&w=500&sz=22&hl=en&start=8&tbnid=R7LCsser6TuqkM:&tbnh=88&tbnw=130&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dboeing%2Bp-12e%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26ie%3DUTF-8

regards

jim

[archangel1]

Which bird did you get? It might be easier to suggest a scheme if it was one that actually kept flying postwar.

[Greek_Geek]

I'd suggest looking at the available decals at a modeling store site (like Hannants). That would give you some good ideas. My favourite (by far) is the Golden Wings scheme used by USN aircraft. Silver fuselage, yellow wings, stripes of various colours on the tail and wings.

Dimitri

[Doug ex-em4]

Which bird did you get? It might be easier to suggest a scheme if it was one that actually kept flying postwar.

It's an R.E.8.

I've no idea if they kept flying after the war but that's the beauty of pulp - this one did......

Thanks for some great ideas so far - by the way; I'm enthused.

Doug

[Conrad Hawkwood]

you are all wrong..this would have to be the definitive pulp aeroplane
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vickers_Victoria

[archangel1]

The 'Harry Tate'? Good luck building it - the original kit dates from 1957(!) and I don't think they did any modification when they re-released it 30 years later.

[Doug ex-em4]

The 'Harry Tate'? Good luck building it - the original kit dates from 1957(!) and I don't think they did any modification when they re-released it 30 years later.

Oh - I've built it. And being destined for pulphood, it doesn't matter if I've modified it a bit. As a matter of interest, should it have a V engine?

Doug

[starkadder]

As a matter of interest, should it have a V engine?

The engine isn't as important as the prayer-book in the cockpit. Dreadful plane.

[archangel1]

...Oh - I've built it. And being destined for pulphood, it doesn't matter if I've modified it a bit. As a matter of interest, should it have a V engine?

Doug

Good for you! I probably last built that one about 40 years ago.  I've always liked the old crate but wish somebody would release a new kit in the smaller scales.  That said, though, I can hardly wait for Wingnut's new 1/32 scale version.  Yummy! 

http://www.wingnutwings.com/ww/comingsoon

And, yes, it does have a V-engine.  You can see a small shot of it on the page linked above.   

[archangel1]

The engine isn't as important as the prayer-book in the cockpit. Dreadful plane.

I don't think it was as dreadful as it is remembered.  They built over 4000 of them, after all, and they were flying everywhere, right to the end of the war.  It had the usual problems of most of the more maligned aircraft - a dreadfully underpowered engine, an overly flimsy structure and a lack of aircrew with enough training to handle its quirks.  Most of the original accidents were a result of bad handling.  Of course, it didn't help that, in a crash, the engine was often rammed through the fuel tanks, resulting in a fire! At least one squadron was happy to get them, because it had both front and rear guns.  It had its fair share of kills.

@ Plynkes The Hawker Fury is the one between-the-wars British fighter that never appealed to me, although I recognize its place in aviation history.  Like the Spitfire, it's too 'pretty' to be a real fighter.  Give me a Hurricane any day, or, in bipes, a Gloster Gladiator - rugged, dependable and purposeful-looking.

[Hammers]

@ Plynkes The Hawker Fury is the one between-the-wars British fighter that never appealed to me, although I recognize its place in aviation history.  Like the Spitfire, it's too 'pretty' to be a real fighter.  Give me a Hurricane any day, or, in bipes, a Gloster Gladiator - rugged, dependable and purposeful-looking.

Couldn't agree with you less. The whole Hind, Fury, Demon, Hornet,... range has that "bright future, old technology" look which I adore.

[pilot]

The engine isn't as important as the prayer-book in the cockpit. Dreadful plane.

   

yes, re8s were used after the war and i think tadportly's post shows some excellent ideas for interwar paint ups.