P-400 correct paint colors? Henderson Field ,1942

Nick - Thank you very much for the image. Very useful reference information.                                                            My kit instructions tend to lean toward a neutral grey under side. Perfect for a U.S. Army aircraft with an olive green top side, but as I suspected, since these were basically redirected lend-lease P-39's, the British colors would be more accurate. 
 Also , with the washes and weathering , the colors on my scale p-400 will appear a bit faded and dirty. Operations from the islands of the South Pacific must have been very harsh on man and machine alike. Lots of sun , mud ,dust, etc. 
Duane- The kit decals have the markings for Fancy Nancy, and include the red center on the stars. Although I've entertained the idea of over painting the star with white to replicate the probably hand brushed overpaint.
 Thanks again for the help . 
Howard
 
 
 
 

 I was curious about the fin flash. It's good to know about it being over painted. I'll be able to add a little extra detail by painting an area of the tail with "newer" paint  to represent the flash painted over. May use an olive green since I can imagine the supplies for about anything were often limited in spring of 42 at Henderson , and Army olive was probably one of the more plentiful stock items.
 Also in regard to the red centers, my decals show Fancy Nancy in April, 1942. My thought is to give the centers of the stars a scale hand painted look as if the red centers were over painted in the field . The same idea I have for the fin flash. The effect will be subtle but effective. 
 Another item that came to my attention , I've heard that the left door could only be opened from the inside. Yet , all the reference pics I've found clearly show a latch on the outside of the left door. 
 Unfortunately, those are pics of restored warbirds and any wartime photos aren't clear enough to tell. Which side did the air and ground crews mostly climb up and down? That side would most likely have more scuffs, chips, etc in the paint up to the cockpit door. Or did it make a difference which side the guys ingress/egress from?
 Howard
BTW I will post some pics of this model in a few  weeks when this model is complete. You fella's may be curious how this turns out.

Apologies for not getting back to this thread until now. Busy at work, and the model desk .
I promised a couple pics of the completed bird. BTW it finished second against some very good model builds , so I'm not disappointed. Thanks again for all your help. Hope she meets with your approval.




 
As a side note . I didn't think much about it until looking over some squadron markings .
Turns out , I've had a direct relation with the Fighting Cocks, although much later in years.
I was assigned to the 18th TFW at Kadena AB in the mid 70's and the 67th TFS were flying F-4C Phantoms. Spent a few graveyard shifts fixing fuel write ups on their birds. In fact the whole wing is still known as the Fighting Cocks of the Rock.
Howard