Willy Coppens Blue HD1 ?

RAGIII · 19 June 2003, 10:12 PM

???I have recently re-read Coppens Book,Flying in Flanders.Coppens mentions having his HD1 HD#6 painted Blue. I have found no reference as to what color Blue other than the following: The Aerodrome lists "Cobalt Blue in their Bio on Coppens" and JMGT lists Turqoise Blue in their painting instructions. I Beleive that the most likely color Blue would be British Roundel Blue,as Coppens states that Their aircraft were updated at anRAF facility. Any opinions,corrections,or comments are welcome!

Terry_Crisp · 20 June 2003, 02:39 AM

Rag,
I concur with your supposition. When re-reading the book I considered rendering the a/c in model form and had an identical line of thought. I was sufficiently hobbled by a lack of photo references to drop the idea.
Best regards,
Terry

StephenLawson · 20 June 2003, 10:21 AM

In the old Profile Pub. Booklet on the Hanriot HD we se a silver doped HD with offset gun and Panels on the fuselage in what has been described as blue. This machine is decribed as Coppens aircraft in the caption. Chandelle may have something further on this. *Its editor did an article on colourful Hanriots in an IPMS magazine.

RAGIII · 20 June 2003, 08:15 PM

Thanks for the reply,I once owned a complete set of the Bound Profiles,but they are long gone. If Coppens Book can be trusted?{Pilots memorries are not always correct} The Sq.Aircraft were Camoed in 5 color french pattern. Also British did a remodel for them,moving the MGS to the Center position. Again I can not say this is absolute fact. I have learned however not to trust the old profiles completely either.I will try to check for the Colorful Hanriots article,Thanks again RAGIII

RAGIII · 20 June 2003, 08:21 PM

Terry, I will not let that stop me! If worst comes to worst,there are no Accurracy police in The NC. mountains! RAGIII
[QUOTE]

Rob_Owens · 21 June 2003, 04:24 AM

RAGIII, FWIW, there is a profile (under "Hanriot HD1" in the "French Aircraft pull-up menu) at

http://www.wwiaviation.com/framer/pl...nch/index.html
which shows blue areas corresponding to the darker areas in the Hanriot Profile. Interesting scheme. Rob

Terry_Crisp · 21 June 2003, 05:32 PM

Rag,
Carry on, old bean. The historical accuracy thing is my neurosis. I try not to spread it about.
This is a hobby and is meant for personal pleasure.
Best regards,
Terry

Dan_San_Abbott · 21 June 2003, 05:41 PM

RagIII:
* *Baron

Willy Coppens was a personal friend. *I had met Willy in San Francisco in the late 1960s. *I had corresponded with Willy over the years and visited *him at La Panne *in 1972 and again in 1976 when he was living in Antwerp.
* *In 1972 willy gave me an autographed painting of his Hanriot HD-1 No.6 It is turquoise blue all over except the interplane struts which were natural color. On both sides of the fuselage was his white thistle emblem. *The wings had the national cockade and *rudder rudder stripe in red, chrome yellow and black.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *Blue skies,
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Dan-San

RAGIII · 21 June 2003, 08:00 PM

If there is one source I would have to consider Definitive it would be you! I have many of your color scheme drawings of JG1,and J11 aces. I have to bow to greater knowledge but,wouldn't the aircraft have looked great in Roundel Blue? By the way,Turqoise Blue still leaves a lot of leeway as to shade etc. There are also those white patches he mentions. Thanks for the info,off to Start the Eduard kit in 1/48th! RAGIII

StephenLawson · 22 June 2003, 12:33 PM

RAGIII Check also Cross & Cockade Intl. Vol. 17 #2 P.68. The same photo is discussed there with Coppens' signature.