1:72 U.S. Insignia

Markings that lasted a few weeks

The shortest chapter in the history of American aircraft markings is the so-called red surround. An order at the end of June 1943 specified that a red border should run around the star in the blue circle and around the newly added side bars. The decision was made quickly and was withdrawn just as quickly, because in the Pacific there was a risk of confusion with the Japanese sun disc. In combat units the red borders were often painted over straight away in the field, frequently carelessly and with visible brush marks.

This sheet is devoted exclusively to that short period and offers the insignia in the form the aircraft carried between June and July 1943. For a modeler it is a detail that dates the whole model immediately: it suits Thunderbolts, Lightnings, Mitchells or Hellcats from the summer of that year.

In this period the insignia appeared in six positions, that is, on both sides of the fuselage and on the upper left and lower right wing surfaces. The rapid change of markings during the summer of 1943 meant that many surviving photographs show aircraft with a mismatched combination of the old and the new version on one airframe.

Recommended procedure

Red shows through easily over a dark base, so it is worth laying the insignia onto well-covered and polished paint. Older sheets sometimes release more slowly; water at around thirty degrees and a longer soak will help. If the carrier film turns white after drying, a polish with gloss varnish usually saves it.

What is supplied is a printed sheet. Paints, varnish and a kit are not in it.