Back to the color scheme:
I found an interesting discussion on the Britmodeller website last night concerning the paint scheme and identification codes on the aircraft I am doing. I think the posts were from 2008. It is an interesting discussion that shows no one really has the answer.

Most everyone agrees that the plane was a Martin Maryland from 771 Squadron of the Fleet Air Arm, and that its serial number was AR720, although there are some doubters on the serial number. Many of the posts note that there are several books with diagrams of the aircraft in question, and they are all different. Basically some show the plane in Temperate Sea Scheme (Extra Dark Sea Gray, Dark Sea Gray, and Sky), while others show the plane in Temperate Land Scheme (Dark Green, Dark Brown, Sky). All have the serial number, but some show "Royal Navy" painted above the serial on the fuselage. Some sources say the plane had no code letter, some say it had a white "W", while others say it had a white "T". One post said he had a book with two fuzzy pictures of AR720, and one was coded "W" and one was coded "T". He says the camo in one photo is easy to see, so he thinks it is TLS, while the camo in the 2nd photo is hard to see, so he thinks it might be TSS. Neither photo had "Royal Navy" painted above the serial number. One post said he had a photo of AR720 that was definitely in TSS, but he can't find the photo. Another post said he had a book with an interview from someone in the squadron at the time and they stated that the planes were never repainted when they got them from the RAF. Another post said he had a source that said the plane carried the code "W" when the Bismarck search was going on, but changed to "T" later.

So, here is the consensus from the thread: The plane was most probably in TLS camouflage, carrying a white code "W", and did not have "Royal Navy" painted above the serial. They also came to the conclusion that you could probably paint it in either scheme, since there is conflicting evidence.

I think I am gratified that others, far more knowledgeable than I, are just as confused as I am. I really like the TSS, but I am finding more photos of planes used by the Fleet Air Arm that retained their old RAF TLS camouflage during FAA service. I think it will be a "game time" decision when I get to the painting stage.

Everyone stay safe.

5 attached images. Click to enlarge.

One more interesting discussion of the epic discussions, regarding the exact colour scheme of the exact plane at the exact period.
I love those discussions, even if at times they get confusing, George @gblair!
The busy look at the nose front is indeed quite prominent.

Wow, what a fantastic progress George @gblair!

I'm glad your canopy arrived and almost fits!

I am very interested on this black marker process. Seems to be efective, and I may use it also.

Those tubes in front of the engine are the pushrods for the cylinder inlet and exhaust valves.

I don't think it was an omision of the supplied resin engines, since they were truly of high quality. I assume that the builder was supposed to add those rods (and possibly the wiring), in order to achieve a really spectacular 3D look.

Your cockpit, engines and wheels are looking really beautiful!

Waiting to see your progress eagerly!

I am sure you are right about the engines, Spiros (@fiveten). It was obvious that the engines were designed for the modeler to add the rods, but I think they were left off because of the casting process. I have never added them before and were easy to add. When I was a T-37 flight instructor in pilot training, I was also an academic instructor teaching aircraft systems. Ask me anything about a T-37 engine, but piston engines can sometimes be a mystery. :o)

Great work George!
Keep at it - really enjoying this thread.

You must have been extremely happy when you found this canopy in your mailbox, George. @gblair
Finally able to bring your Maryland to a good finish.
Engines look fantastic, like everything else.

Thanks, John (@JohnB). I actually had a friend in Austin (about 90 miles from where I live) who had the canopy, so I just drove up and got it. I am now officially a "happy camper".

Gosh close my eyes for a moment and a Maryland is almost finished. Fantastic work George not only on the building but also the research. With very little to go on with the paint scheme with conflicting results. Even first hand interviews are not quite confirming. Time frame, code changes, re painted at a certain point or just left as it was transferred from. It can be tough weighing in on all these factors. Despite that challenge, you have managed a tough build so far. That canopy issue will put the kabbash for some builders and just put it away for awhile. You were able to get past it. I know I would've been like hmmm now what? Keep it going George. The build looks great.