Northrop BT-1 Beta Test in 1/100 - Page 2

**Rata** · #11 03-27-2018, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Boose

I do not have authoritative information on this issue, but the images below seem to support the idea of the upper wings of the 1941 Yorktown Air Group Commander's aircraft having natural aluminum or silver-painted top wings.

The first image is from page 282 of William T. Larkins, U.S. Navy Aircraft 1921-1941, Concord, CA: Aviation History Publications, 1961. No way to tell for sure, but the top wing appears to be the same color as the fuselage.

The second image is a screen shot of the instruction sheet of the Czech Model version of the BT-1 (1/72 Northrop BT-1 (1942) || Plastic aircraft kits scale 1/72 || CzechKits.com). Since it is an illustration, it is not authoritative, but it does show silver or natural aluminum top wings.

Does anyone have any more reliable documentation on this?

Don

As the sun is shining virtually directly onto the wing top in that photo Don, for most of us today it would be guesswork (albeit educated) as to the actual colour and I would hazard another guess that CzechKits did just that in making their decision.
With the Navy directive issued at the end of 1940 to change from the old colourful pre-war schemes to overall (yuck) Non Specular Light Grey, the actual changeover did not get under way till well into '41. Unfortunately your photo is about that time.
My guess would be because this BT-1 still has the Yorktown Insignia Red tail colour, and as (and I will happily stand corrected on this) Chrome Yellow, Glossy was the official colour, then I would lean towards yellow.

Cheers, Garry G.

**Rata** · #12 03-27-2018, 09:50 PM

Sorry the official colour was Orange Yellow, Glossy 506.
Get it right Rata!

**Don Boose** · #13 03-28-2018, 05:58 AM

What you say makes sense, Rata. I am sure that the tail and fuselage stripe were Yorktown (Carrier Air Group 5) red. I haven't been able to find anything to indicate that the top of the wing would be anything other than orange yellow, although it is possible that CAG aircraft were an exception, keeping in mind that flag officer aircraft were in various combinations of dark blue and aluminum.

Eventually, we may get the answer.

Don

**MichaelS** · #14 03-28-2018, 06:56 AM

Not sure how difficult it would be but perhaps Murph could release the kit with both colors for the wings. Then half of those who build it could be wrong. At least on this forum the thread would not go on ad infinitum about who was right. (I hate plasteeq people).

**MichaelS** · #15 03-28-2018, 07:04 AM

Went cruzzin' on Ms. Google and found a Vindicator CAG bird from the same time frame. The Helldiver is perhaps a little earlier. Yeller wings here!

**gomidefilho** · #16 03-28-2018, 07:38 AM

After the polemic about color wings I resume the work on BT, is very slow for because I have only one hour in the nights for build, at the moment I focused in small parts of whole models, tonight resting only fuselages for build..

The undercarriage carenage is a sensible piece for build...

**Don Boose** · #17 03-28-2018, 09:37 AM

All those part look great, Péricles!

They are going to be a very pretty set of airplanes.

Don

**PacificWind** · #18 03-28-2018, 10:12 AM

I never heard about this Northrop BT-1. Interesting plane. Can't wait for more WIP.

**MichaelS** · #19 03-28-2018, 10:23 AM

Watch "Dive Bomber" for around 3 bucks on the internet. The BT is just one of the lovely stars! (and I don't mean wimmen!)

**umtutsut** · #20 03-28-2018, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gomidefilho

After the polemic about color wings

A polemic is defined as "a strong verbal or written attack on someone or something." I certainly wasn't "attacking" anyone or anything, just pointing out what I believed is an error based on what I know. I imagine Aaron would rather get it right.

Les (The Voice of Authority)