Model Forum / General / Models / November 2007

I am reposting one from military aviation to emphasize the research on
how to
determine markings and ordinance. I can't help but think non naval
units
would designate torpedo units as opposed to level bombing units. I
would include anti-submarine
units as well as units that launched rockets or had extra machine guns
and cannons
used for strafing. I suppose in the past I always went with what the
governments said about their aircraft. In
some cases it is obvious that the Mosquito was a bomber and a fighter
in different marks. The P-61 Black Widow, big as it was was a
fighter.a SM-79 Sparviero seems to have mostly dropped torpedoes as
did the
Bristol Beaufort. It gets complicated by one country who had a type
may have used it for torpedoes, another may have made a night
fighter.French planes of the Potez type have me stumped. Basically I
am asking
help in sorting these types into their various missions, I mean
primary use, not secondary use as a transport unless relegated to that
role. I believe it is a give that the Japanese used almost anything as
a Kamikaze. In fact it would fill out the picture if any types such as
a Frances or Irving were too valuable to use as kamikazes. Also I know
in the case of Dorniers and Junkers twin engine types they served in
distinctly different units such as level bombing and night fighter.

I think I read that the B-26 Marauder could launch torpedoes. This is
just one example of a multi role plane
It causes me to wonder if this and other twin and three engine types
had different nits and crews for different
missions. I would think the answer is yes. Then I wonder about
distinct codes and unit insignia place on a regular paint job for a
given air force. How could one tell a B-26 that trained to launch
torpedoes. I believe He-111s launched torpedoes. I suppose the number
of multi-use types is bigger than I suppose.

AC