Research Help Wanted

This forum is here as a service to current members of IPMS Canada.  Please submit any requests you might have to the e-mail address, quoting your membership number.  Older enquiries will eventually be removed from the page to make room for newer ones.

21 September 2002 - Canadian Built DH Mosquito Camouflage
David Hawley I am currently illustrating DeHavilland Mosquito Bombers for a forthcoming Monograph by Guideline Publications on Mosquito camouflage and markings. Whilst discussing the illustrations with the author and editor, the possibility was raised that the Canadian production Mosquito B.XXV (B.25) and possibly even mid to late production B.XXs (B.20) may have been finished in US ANA colours following agreement between the US/UK/Canada on paint standards/acceptable substitutes. The colours used would probably have been: Dark OD 41 for Dark Green; Sea Grey ANA 603 (near Extra Dark Sea Grey) for Ocean Grey and Light Grey ANA 602 for Medium Sea Grey. 
Like all such queries time is pressing - deadline for any changes is 9 Oct. If anybody can throw any light on this subject I would appreciate it.

30 July 2002 - Looking for Information on RCAF Target Tug Dakotas
Steve Sauve is looking for colour scheme, markings, and detail info on the RCAF's Target Tug Dakotas.  These were painted in a variety of schemes, but perhaps the most striking are the ones with the regular white/silver upper surfaces, yellow/black striped bellies, and the day-glo fuselage band.  If you have photos or info, please contact me.  I have a high-speed Internet connection, so file size is not a problem for sending scans of photos, drawings, etc.

22 May 2002 - Looking for 419 Sqn Lancaster Information
I would be most grateful if any of your society members could assist me with my quest for information and decals for a particular Lancaster bomber. Just over a year ago, my father sadly passed away. He had purchased a model of the Airfix 1/72nd scale Lancaster B.l/lll kit. He always liked the Lancaster kit, but alas, was never destined to make it. I would like to make it in his memory. To this end, I have selected a 419 sqn RCAF aircraft. The aircraft in question is a Lancaster B.Mk.X (serial number KB772), code 'VR-R'. It is the aircraft with shark teeth on each engine cowling, and the nose art nick-name of 'Ropey' (66 missions). 

My request for help is in three parts:

I would like to produce the kit 'straight out of the box' and build it to IPMS 'standard kit' competition rules. My understanding is that the first 83 B.Mk.X aircraft built by the Canadian Victory aircraft company were to the same appearance and specification as the British built Avro B.Mk.l/lll aircraft (i.e. Fraser-Nash upper turrets). After the 83rd aircraft, the Martin turret was introduced, located further forward on the fuselage. Could any of your Lancaster experts out there please confirm this fact for me? (it would save me converting the kit).

I only have one picture of this individual aircraft in my possession (it is a front port side three-quarter view of the aircraft). I would be grateful if any members out there have any other images of this aircraft. Aeromaster decals used to produce a set of markings for this aircraft (set 72-157, Lancasters part 2). Unfortunately this set is no longer available in the UK. Do any of your members have a spare set of these markings (or even any special decals produced by IPMS Canada), or information as to where I can possibly obtain a set?.

Any information that can be provided to me would be of great assistance in the construction and finishing of this fine kit. My details are:

e-mail (work):    derek.bradshaw@baesystems.com
Phone:    +44 (0) 1482 663750 (work) or +44 (0) 1652 633697 (evenings)

Thank you all in anticipation for your help.

best regards

Derek Bradshaw.

Steve Sauvé, Website Custodian for IPMS Canada