David Rapasi

Phil Going from a hue of 203° to hue of 206° is shifting closer to pure blue at 240°. I am sorry but I don’t understand you other questions. Dave

The Munsell Color System and Federal Standard System relied on the human eye to measure paint colors and create paint formulas, therefore are subject to human error. A computer system made for measuring paint can scan a sample and give the measurements in any color system numbers you require. While doing this, the computer software will create a formula for mixing the color without human error. The sample and the finished product match perfectly, either by eye or computer scan. So much for the good old days. Dave

I found an original bottle of MM 2055 M-485 paint. The top color of the chip is the original MM 2055 M-485. The bottom color of the chip is the color NOW in the MM 2055 bottle. Dave

When I started this in 2003 the Testors catalogue I have lists the color MM 2055 as M-485 Blue Gray, not FS 35189. The original bottles of MM2055 Blue Gray also included the QMS number of the paint, M-485 on the label. The paint in the original bottles of MM 2055 was darker and quite a bit bluer than QMS #12 Blue Gray and FS 35189. As seen on the paint chips M-485 Blue Gray is darker than QMS #12 Blue Gray or FS 35189. NOW the paint in the MM 2055 bottle is a close match to FS 35189 and QMS #12 Blue Gray. Comparing the color measurements of FS 35189, 35237, and #12 paint chips to the

Sometime back in the good old days Dana Bell matched the original color tiles of the paint used for painting the early Blue Gray aircraft starting in late 1941. At that time everyone agreed the closest Federal Standard color was FS 35189. Since then most kit and decal manufactures have recommended this color. Since Model Masters doesn’t make FS 35189, I looked for another color to use. Scanning all of the available chips in Adobe Photo Shop I found that FS 35237 is a close match to FS 35189 and an exact match to QMS #12 Blue Gray. Don Color QMS #12 Blue Gray is almost an exact matc

Someone wanted to know what my models are setting on, on the work bench. It’s a Lazy Susan. I bought the bearing on Ebay for about $10.00. The base is a 9 inch square of ¾ inch plywood and the top is a 14 inch diameter of 3/8 plywood. Dave

I am confused; In an earlier article you said Blue Gray was closest to FS 35189 only a few shades darker. Also you said that the M-485 color chip I posted was a close match and the Model Master color was way off. Dave

A couple of photos of the finished model. Dave

This Devastator was built in 2004. Included with the photo is the paint chip for QMS #12 Blue Gray used on the model. The right side of the chip is about 50% lighter to get an idea of how the color appears when it fades. Dave

The original bottles of MM2055 Blue Gray also had the QMS number of the paint, M-485. M-485 was used on; 1940 US NAVY patrol aircraft topsides. 1941 US NAVY land based amphibian-aircraft topsides. As seen on the above paint chips M-485 Blue Gray is darker than QMS #12 Blue Gray. The actual paint in the MM 2055 bottle is lighter and bluer than QMS #12 Blue Gray. The Testors catalogue still lists the color MM 2055 as M-485 Blue Gray. Dave

A comparison of the original kit glass and the modified glass. Dave

Phil Sorry about the misunderstanding. I hadn’t noticed how bad the rear gunner’s glass was until you pointed it out. I reshaped it and made it closer to one of the ones used on the B 25, but it still is off a little. I am not sure what squadron it was, it was one of the earliest in combat, 413 maybe? Dave

The early TBDs were painted with what appears to be QMS #12 Blue Gray which is a close match to FS 35189. Model Master 1721 Medium Gray FS 35237 is a close match to QMS #12 Blue Gray. Later aircraft appear to be a darker shade of Blue Gray, close to Model Masters 1723, ANA 603 Sea Gray, FS 36118 Gunship Gray. After all of the paint has faded it appears to be the same color. Dave

I have two P 47s (D22 & D30) to build for a project. The aircraft are from the 362nd Fighter Group / 378th Fighter Squadron. The color on the nose and spinner is Cobalt Blue. I cannot find any color information about these aircraft or about Cobalt Blue, except this from Air Force Colors Vol. 2, and a Google search. I need to know the correct color for the nose of these aircraft, please include the color chip so I can match it to Model Master paint. Your help will be appreciated. Dave

These photos are from movies taken on Emirau in late 1944 of my clients group. I built the original model according to his descriptions and about 30 seconds of video. PBJ-1D The modifications and repaint were also done this way. Dave

Painted with faded color, decaled, ready for salt and weathering. Dave

Photo # 20, and 21, Any of these steps can be repeated or mixed up to create different effects. Photo # 22, This method of weathering can be applied at it's minimum as shown on the wings of this P 47. Some responses I received before to this method of weathering thought the models looked ok, but they didn’t look like real aircraft. Dave PART I PART II

I never tried this but I would imagine you could mix a water based white with Future and spray it using the same method. Dave

Mixing the few drops of white into Dullcote makes the paint almost transparent, like a candy color paint. If you spray a white wash of paint over a color, the area will turn pure white with multiple coats. This will also give greater control of how much fading you want to apply. Dave

Photo #11, The salt will leave stains in the paint when it is removed. If you want to remove the salt stains and only have the mottling visible, spray the area with pure lacquer thinner. Step 7 can be repeated several times to give a heavier mottling. Photo #13, 14, 15, show the mottling results on a Dauntless, Helldiver, and Catalina. Step 8; photo # 16, Each separate panel or area of the aircraft is painted with Dullcote/w. Starting from the center of each panel or area and working out towards the panel lines in an uneven or jerky motion. Each panel should vary depending on h

One of the main advantages of using this method for weathering is that it can be used over any color with similar results. The most important step in this weathering process is to mix a few drops of flat white into the Dullcote. You will have to experiment with the percentage of flat white to Dullcote judging by your own results. For future reference this mixture of Dullcote and flat white paint will be referred to as Dullcote/w. The wings in photo # 1 shows the variety of finishes you can achieve by using this method of weathering. Step 1; photo # 2, The wings are painted in their bas

By their markings, the six Corsairs are a training flight from an British carrier. The clipped wing US Corsair is an early F4U-1 pulled from the production line and used as a prototype test bed. It tested the blistered front canopy pane, the removal of the center cowl flaps, the right wing stall plate, the removal of the lower window, and the clipped wings for the FAA, plus numerous internal changes. It is my understanding all of the Mark I and Mark II Corsairs left the factory with elliptical wingtips and were replace at a Naval repair facility as needed. Because of the very different hand

The third, fifth, and sixth are F4U-1s. Dave

The underlined section of this directive made me question which color of Blue Gray is correct. On 13, October 1941 the BuAer issued a directive, Aer-E-2571-DMC, F39-5, VV, FF12, 063183, calling for all carrier and ship based aircraft to be painted the same as patrol aircraft, N.S. Light Gray on the bottom and N.S. Blue Gray on the surfaces viewed from above. According to Don Color, M-485 Blue Gray was used on 1940 US NAVY patrol aircraft topsides, 1941 US NAVY land based amphibian-aircraft topsides. Then you have this color of blue gray. On October 30,1942 the Navy issued a directive for

All of the changes have been made, now for the masking and painting with a faded shade of the original color. I will post some photos when the PBJ is finished. Dave