VH-BQI (ex JN200) - Contemporary duplication of the image of VH-BQI is invariably captioned as the aircraft being finished a very smart looking overall White with Red trim. However, the image as shown in the Ed Coates Collection clearly states that the Sea Otter was finished in overall White with Dark Green trim. The image of VH-BQI taken by Mr Shennan at Bankstown (see Image 2 in the Photograph Gallery) shows the fuselage stripes and disc to be a lighter colour than the lower hull, float under surfaces and the registration letters. To the author's eye, this supports the original caption of the Ed Coates image that the fuselage stripes and disc were in fact Dark Green and not Red as often cited. Modellers will need to make up their own minds as to the actual colours employed but there is a compelling argument that a Red disc would not have been readily acceptable so soon after WWII as it would too closely resemble the Japanese hinomaru. So, the author's assessment of VH-BQI's C&M is:
White - overall airframe.
Black - venturi tube, registration letters, keel and float planning surfaces.
Dark Green - engine cowling and intake, fuselage disc, spinner and stripes
VH-AJN (ex JN188) - VH-AJN was finished in overall Silver with Black registration letters (thinly outlined in White). The corporate logo on the rudder has been based on the St .Andrew's Cross of Scotland. (1)
VH-AJO (ex JN242). VH-AJO was also finished in overall Silver with Black registration letters; logo on the rudder as per VH-AJN. Note that photographic evidence supports the registration letters of VH-AJO and VH-AJO both being thinly outlined in White. While the aircraft were registered consecutively, there are small differences such as the variation of the St. Andrew's Cross logos. Modellers need to make up their own minds on these aspects of the markings.
Both aircraft, VH-AJN and VH-AJO, had Red propeller warning stripes, placard and Emergency Exit signage.
