[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by Rush104

Looks like the references I'm using also say the Hellcat shows were conducted with three aircraft. But, according to Veronico's book, these were the bureau numbers of the F6Fs assigned to the team- 79049, 79193, 79914, 80097.
Maybe one was kept as a spare?

I did a little more digging and found at least one company that makes after market Blue Angel Decals for an F6F. Decals match the description from the reference material that you provided. Company is DRAW Decal and has pictures model with decals applied.

Site: DRAW Decal ex-Warbirds Decals

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by Rush104

Later on in the same chapter in First Blue, gold leaf is mentioned as the color painted on the Hellcats.

I know the proof will lie in the pictures, but I have two sources quoting Butch Voris as saying that 'U.S. Navy' was written under the wings of the Hellcats.
Insignia Blue was the primary aircraft color, and gold leaf was the trim color.

I think I found a little more support for your reference material.







Picture from: http://www.blueangels.org/Aircraft/H...s/Hellcat.html

[Rush104]

Originally Posted by Cruver Collecter

I did a little more digging and found at least one company that makes after market Blue Angel Decals for an F6F. Decals match the description from the reference material that you provided. Company is DRAW Decal and has pictures model with decals applied.

Site: DRAW Decal ex-Warbirds Decals

Thanks for the backup on this, Cruv!

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by Rush104

Thanks for the backup on this, Cruv!

Yep, you were right!

[hawkonevoodoo]

Originally Posted by Cruver Collecter

I think I found a little more support for your reference material.







Picture from: http://www.blueangels.org/Aircraft/H...s/Hellcat.html

On the same site it shows the 4 Hellcats (one spare) sitting on the ramp and there doesn't seem to be anything under the wings. Could it just be the angle of the picture and the markings don't show or are they conflicting pictures. They both are supposed to be from the same show on the same day.
As for the link to the decals, it shows the BA F6F-2, I didn't know they flew the -2, I thought they only flew the -5. If they only flew the -5 then I don't think we can't consider the decal source as accurate. I'd like to get this thing settled before the process of mmodel making has gone too far to change.

[Shawn 507]

Anyone called the Angels themselves?

[Rush104]

Originally Posted by hawkonevoodoo

On the same site it shows the 4 Hellcats (one spare) sitting on the ramp and there doesn't seem to be anything under the wings. Could it just be the angle of the picture and the markings don't show or are they conflicting pictures. They both are supposed to be from the same show on the same day.
As for the link to the decals, it shows the BA F6F-2, I didn't know they flew the -2, I thought they only flew the -5. If they only flew the -5 then I don't think we can't consider the decal source as accurate. I'd like to get this thing settled before the process of mmodel making has gone too far to change.

The Blues definitely used F6F-5 Hellcats.

[Cruver Collecter]

This is an interesting one to go into. I have always found that Hasegawa has been very reliable as far as accuracy in their kits.

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by Cruver Collecter

This is an interesting one to go into. I have always found that Hasegawa has been very reliable as far as accuracy in their kits.

It looks fake!

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by hawkonevoodoo

On the same site it shows the 4 Hellcats (one spare) sitting on the ramp and there doesn't seem to be anything under the wings. Could it just be the angle of the picture and the markings don't show or are they conflicting pictures. They both are supposed to be from the same show on the same day.
As for the link to the decals, it shows the BA F6F-2, I didn't know they flew the -2, I thought they only flew the -5. If they only flew the -5 then I don't think we can't consider the decal source as accurate. I'd like to get this thing settled before the process of mmodel making has gone too far to change.

I took a look at the site and the decal set number is F6F-2 Blue Angles, but the aircraft type is for a F6F-5. So might just be something to consider.