WWII Blackout Automobiles
In late 1941 the automakers introduced their 1942 models. Mostly they were updated 1941 models with some mechanical improvements and refreshed styling. Following Pearl Harbor, the industry’s entire output was focused on military production. The 1942 model year, automobile production was barely one million units when civilian manufacturing was suspended early in February. The previous year automobile production exceeded 3.6 million. After January 1st sales of all new vehicles were strictly rationed, and the remaining inventories were slowly allocated out over the balance of the war for military and strategic civilian use.
Chromium was declared a strategic material and most of the remaining cars manufactured in January and February 1942 were built with painted rather than plated or stainless steel exterior trim. These became known as Blackout or Victory models. They are extremely rare today.
There are not many 1942 1/43 models, but most ‘41s are visually identical..
Here are a few photos of Blackout automobiles
1942 Chevrolet
1942 Plymouth
1942 Buick
This was the last Buick built until the war’s end
These are some 1942 models, None are blackout versions.
1942 Oldsmobile from Brooklin
1942 Chrysler Town & Country by Matrix
1942 Ford a 1/48 plastic kit from Tamiya.
I do not know if this kit has any plated parts.
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