B-24 Liberator VI 178 SQD RAF KH243 , paint scheme

[papageno]

Hello,
I am having a 1:48 model of the B-24 built by a friend and am looking for info on the paint scheme on this a/c that was shot down on the night of 5/6 Nov 1944. I think the proper scheme is desert cammo on top with mat black below but can not say for sure ?
Cheers

 

[EwenS]

Hello,
I am having a 1:48 model of the B-24 built by a friend and am looking for info on the paint scheme on this a/c that was shot down on the night of 5/6 Nov 1944. I think the proper scheme is desert cammo on top with mat black below but can not say for sure ?
Cheers

Liberator B.VI & V.III in the KG/KH serial range were being delivered direct from the Modification Centers in the USA to MUs the Med theatre in Olive Drab over Neutral Grey. Some were repainted with black undersides but not all seemingly.

Here are two more examples. KH166 at the Kentucky Modification Center went to India. KH228 to 614 sqn in the Med. KH228 & KH243 arrived at Maison Blanche in Algeria on 26 & 25 Sept 1944 respectively. By this point in WW2 the Liberator squadrons in the Med were based in Southern Italy (in the Foggia area).

 

[Wurger]

Yep I agree. The camo should be the Olive Drab/Neutral Grey. As memo serves the squadron was moved to the Italy in March 1944. In the same year the unit was involved in the support missions for the Warsaw Uprising in August- October so I doubt the desert camo at tops could be there in November while the Liberator was shot down. Also if there would be the black at the aircraft sides and undersides the tops would be of the Dark Earth/Dark Green colours rather. Most of the later B-24 variants retained the US colours and weren't repainted with the RAF camouflage. These shots below seem to confirm that the camo scheme was the OD/NG.

the source: No. 178 Squadron (RAF)

the source: "Cricket balls that were on fire". The RAF squadrons in the supply drops for the Warsaw Uprising, August 1944

the source: Special Liberator Flight - NZ special ops in B-24's | Wings Over New Zealand

 

[papageno]

Thanks guys , that is a tremendous help ,Olive Drab over Neutral Grey it shall be then.
Will post it when done.
cheers

 

[papageno]

The diorama of the KH243 is done and here's the finished product in 1:48 It looks pretty darn good to me .
Perhaps the serial numbers on the vertical tail are on the large side as they were custom printed.