Bristol M.1c bullet color schemes...

Heir Sterner · 4 January 2010, 01:16 PM

Hi fellow WWI gents... I am planing to build a 1/4 scale R/C model of the Bristol M.1c Bullet. I have searched everywhere I know for a different color scheme for my model than the old run of the mill OB or red versions. I have seen in the past a color scheme for a light colored fuse with a GREEN, I belive, snake which wrapped around the fuse... Does anyone recall seeing such a color scheme for the M1? I would appreciate ANY help in locating the snake color scheme or any other obscure color schemes even if they are of training school units....

Thank you very much in advance,

Keith (Heir) Sterner

Leatherhead · 4 January 2010, 01:33 PM

Keith,

I know of the color scheme you speak of; however, the color illustration I've seen is of a "Gray" or "Dark Gray" snake wrapped around the fuselage. In fact, when I build my full-scale M.1, this is the paint scheme I plan to use.

The only color illustration I've seen of this "snake" motif, is on the back cover of Windsock Datafile 52, by J.M. Bruce. It shows aircraft C5015. The fuse, wings (top), fin, horz stab (top) appear silver. Bottom surfaces are CDL. Spinner and metal fairings are the gray mentioned earlier. I don't know how accurate this scheme is, but I like it.

Leatherhead · 4 January 2010, 01:41 PM

The same publication also has C5014 with the red starburst pattern on the top of the wings for the front cover. Aircraft C4940 had a "candy stripe" pattern. I don't know if it was red/white, black/white, or other color/white. Profile No. 193 shows this candy stripe pattern in what looks like PC10/white. C4990 was overall white at one time. C4995 had a red/white/blue checkerboard scheme. C5025 had the "fish scale" scheme.

Leatherhead · 4 January 2010, 01:48 PM

There are also the Chilean M.1s. These I've seen pained overall white, whit a black spinner/cowl and metal fairings.

Heir Sterner · 4 January 2010, 03:15 PM

Many thanks to you leatherhead....I really do appreciate the input.

Hummmmm, when I saw that snake color scheme, it was defiantely depicted as an Elm green color on a light grey or silver fuse... Wish I could find that site/page again. I think I saw in on an obsure site page, you know the ones, where you dig deeper into s site as you travel down the rabits hole hoping to find what the sign said at he the begining of the hole! So many indirect finds....than trying to remember where you found it...

WOW, you plan to build a full scale Bristol M.1, thats great!! I wish you all the best. Hope you will post it here for us to watch as she comes together...really neat machine and all the best to you...

Thank again Leatherhead,

Heir Sterner

Rittmeister · 4 January 2010, 04:00 PM

How about this one? Let me know and Ill buy some masking tape stock.

Heir Sterner · 4 January 2010, 06:58 PM

Hi and thanks Rittmeister... I have sen this one and am interested in it as it is relatively easy to produce. Will keep it in mind for sure...

Heir Sterner

Lucky Dog · 15 January 2010, 02:34 PM

You don't see this one modeled to often. It's the M1c replica at RAF Hendon.

Still a bit too "standard" perhaps.

This 1/3 scale example was pretty attractive too I thought. (needs a spinner and pilot thought).

My personal favorite is the Shuttleworth Collections M1c replica. It's perhaps a bit overdone though. That's the markings I have on my 1/6 scale M1c

and will proabably also be how I do the 1/3 scale one I have in the works ......down the road.

Heir Sterner · 15 January 2010, 04:45 PM

Hi Mike and thanks forthe M1 picutres and info. My is a 1/4 scale ship and I have just received the plans from Jerry Bates plans service and they are absolutely beatuiful plans, worth every peeny of the $45 I paid for them. He also offers a FG spinner for it as well for $35 plus shipping. Unfortunately, it is way to late to get it started now seeing what is involved so I have opted to build a Nieuport 11 instead. Have a great 1916 Russian Empire color scheme for it too.

I will be building my M1.c next winter and good luck to yuo on your 1/3 scale bird. Looking forward to seeing in hear at Aerodrome in the future.

Hier (Keith) Sterner

Lucky Dog · 16 January 2010, 06:15 AM

You're welcome. The Russians did have some attractive markings. A friend is doing a 1/4 scale N17 in Russian markings as we speak. He's doing the one with the topless mermaid on the fuse.

It's a year or longer down the road for my big M1c. Just starting on a 1/4 scale Albatros DIII, and I'm a slooowww builder. I think I'll shoot for the 2014 Dawn Patrol Rendezvous in Dayton for the Bristol.