[TopHat]

Can anyone tell me whether the FM B-25 Tondelayo paint scheme is accurate? All the pics I've seen have clear window panes above the "Tondelayo" on the nose whereas the FM version has them painted over.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. TIA!

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by TopHat

Can anyone tell me whether the FM B-25 Tondelayo paint scheme is accurate? All the pics I've seen have clear window panes above the "Tondelayo" on the nose whereas the FM version has them painted over.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. TIA!

Here's a link to some pics of the collings foundations Tondelayo that I took last year during a local fly-in.. I think I remember talk on MHI that the paint over may have been correct, though... sorry can't be more help than that.

[TopHat]

Thanks, Pappy. Yeah, those are the pics I saw too (pics of the Collings bird, I mean).

[mustangdriver]

The painted over windows is correct. That was a modification the good ol' pappy Gunn (Really) had something to do with.

[TopHat]

Thanks, Mustang!

(I knew you'd know the answer)

[mustangdriver]

Yup! I am a certified airplane dork.

[STARMAN 352ND]

Originally Posted by mustangdriver

Yup! I am a certified airplane dork.

Good one
JP

[STARMAN 352ND]

I still have been thinking of getting this one as well.
Are these pad printed also ?
JP

[Metalman]

Hi TopHat,

The Franklin Mint line can be kind of iffy when it comes to markings. One fact about FM aircraft is the "seconds" fleet. Sometimes the orders come in mixed with paint mistakes. A FM manager I talked to several years ago said that she was required to hammer the mistakes into pieces in the back lot and ship the pieces back to prove it was destroyed. However, over the years, manufacturers have found that mistakes can sometimes bring more money than accurately painted examples. Hence, they let a few defectives get through. I've got a few in my collection that should have been hammered. But the last FM manager I spoke to last year told me that they would rather sell the pieces at a discount than destroy them. One other point is the first presentation of a paint scheme or model called a "Show Sample". I have three show samples in my collection. They are the first runs of the line presented to the public at shows and come with signed labels. Some models are missing markings as they are sometimes shipped "as-is" to make the shows. One good example is the "Barber Pole" Mosquito. Some show samples are missing the barber pole markings. I have the first Soesterberg F-15 and the first Lufthansa Ju-52 show samples in my collection. Due to the limited number of aircraft released for a certain model, markings may be decal slide-ons in the initial runs. If the model turns out to be a good seller, they may release a limited paint scheme (Such as the Tarheel Hal P-47). If the model is a "signature" model like the "Old Crow" and the Flying Tigers P-40, the markings should be pad printed. Now that Morgan Mint has bought Franklin Mint, the line will now become a bit leaner but hopefully better.

Originally Posted by TopHat

Can anyone tell me whether the FM B-25 Tondelayo paint scheme is accurate? All the pics I've seen have clear window panes above the "Tondelayo" on the nose whereas the FM version has them painted over.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. TIA!