Nigelr32 Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 Hi all, I have just got the Skunkmodel R-11 US/Nato fuel tanker kit in 1/48. The instructions just say "Green" or "Tan" as a colour call out. Does anyone know what colour the thing would be when used on a US airbase? Thanks Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Quixote74 Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 If it's anything like US Army or USMC vehicles, the color would depend on the timeframe. Standard olive drab (FS34087) is probably safe for an early example up to at least Desert Storm (1991). The temporary tan color used on some US ground equipment in Kuwait & Iraq matched FS 33446 - adjusting for all manner of weathering, fading, and in some cases field application. By the time of OEF/OIF (circa 2001-) a different tan color was used, matching FS 33531. Given the heavy commitment to the Afghanistan and Iraq theaters this became the most commonly seen color for a lot of rigs, but some green vehicles may still be found depending on location (still 34087 as far as I'm aware). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spook498 Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 Stateside based fuelers would be the dark olive green color. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nigelr32 Posted July 17, 2020 Author Share Posted July 17, 2020 Thanks for your help here guys. the kit in question is the Skunkmodels R-11 in 1/48 scale. The truck depicted is post 2004 so is pretty modern. The images i have seen online show the truck to be a very dark glossy green colour? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 (edited) Nigel, There is a USAF Airfield Equipment Painting and Markings Tech order. It was referenced elsewhere in the ARC Forum. Let me see if I can find it. Here: Ah! Here is a link to the newest version dated Feb 2019. It replaced the older version of T.O. 36-1-3. See also T.O. 36-1-191 Motor Vehicle Maintenance. https://www.robins.af.mil/Portals/59/documents/technicalorders/35-1-3.pdf https://www.robins.af.mil/Portals/59/documents/technicalorders/36-1-191.pdf Enamel - Green, Semi-Gloss, color No. 34087 (Your results may vary.) Here is one version: Here is another version: V/r, Dutch Edited July 17, 2020 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nigelr32 Posted July 17, 2020 Author Share Posted July 17, 2020 Thanks Dutch.. that's great. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DET1460 Posted July 29, 2020 Share Posted July 29, 2020 When I was in the AF ('68-'72) EVERYTHING on the flightline that didn't fly was AGE yellow, which I believe was Insignia yellow. I'm not sure when it changed but I think it was late '70's or early '80's and they went to a dark green, possibly OD. (The fire extinguishers and fire trucks were... anyone? Red! All vehicles, pickups, stepvans, the Brass's cars... were insignia blue.) Hope this helps. DET1460 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nigelr32 Posted July 29, 2020 Author Share Posted July 29, 2020 6 hours ago, DET1460 said: When I was in the AF ('68-'72) EVERYTHING on the flightline that didn't fly was AGE yellow, which I believe was Insignia yellow. I'm not sure when it changed but I think it was late '70's or early '80's and they went to a dark green, possibly OD. (The fire extinguishers and fire trucks were... anyone? Red! All vehicles, pickups, stepvans, the Brass's cars... were insignia blue.) Hope this helps. DET1460 Thank you. very helpful!! I wonder if they were actually OD? Many pics appear much darker? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted July 29, 2020 Share Posted July 29, 2020 Nigel, Right! I have those other USAF Airfield Equipment colors posted in the Vehicle section, under Commercial. HTH. Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nigelr32 Posted July 29, 2020 Author Share Posted July 29, 2020 10 minutes ago, Dutch said: Nigel, Right! I have those other USAF Airfield Equipment colors posted in the Vehicle section, under Commercial. HTH. Dutch Thanks Dutch, I hear you man... I have started the model and am video building it. I gave you a shout out in the intro, and showed the paint you suggested.. and I will probably use it. But I am still concerned that some pics I see are clearly not OD, whereas some clearly are... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted July 29, 2020 Share Posted July 29, 2020 Thanks Nigel, but as I noted above, your results may vary. So please don't get wrapped around the axel on the exact shade. As long as you are happy with the results. K/r, Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nigelr32 Posted July 29, 2020 Author Share Posted July 29, 2020 Think I might go for Gunze 304 heavily thinned over a coat of MRP black primer? That should give a nice variety of preshaded dark areas and areas like the sides of the tank will be a dark OD. After decals I think I’ll give it a coat of MRP semi gloss?? I assume these trucks weren’t/aren’t kept waxed and polished so they must go full o er time, particularly on sunny airfield? I guess that would mean the tankers at Fairford will be bright and shiny?? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch Posted July 29, 2020 Share Posted July 29, 2020 (edited) If they are parked under covered storage most of the time, then yes. Out in the desert, even the tan tankers fade considerably, from tan to almost pink. Edited July 29, 2020 by Dutch Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JohnEB Posted August 4, 2020 Share Posted August 4, 2020 (edited) On 7/29/2020 at 6:57 AM, Dutch said: Not much to add other than to reinforce the previously mentioned point that it's semi gloss. The photo above is very good showing that and it also shows the difference between the tank part of the vehicle and the cab. If it still had its factory finish, (in other words, not repainted while in service) you'd often see a slight variation in the vehicle since the tank was built and painted by a separate firm than the cab. Also, the tank would weather/fade at a different rate since its made out of different material and due to fuel inside, have a different temperature when parked. During my service..1980s-2000; nothing much was yellow any longer...and even "Strato" Blue seen on staff cars and trucks was pretty much a thing of the past. Many base (non combat) trucks and cars were bought by the GSA under contract and they would allow whatever the vehicle manufacturer's closest factory color was. I had access to a mid '90s Chevy S-10 pickup which was a medium metallic blue. And visiting our nearby base recently, I saw the Wing Commander's staff car was a Ford Fusion in regular Ford factory dark blue. The only change was the usual painted white top. Edited August 4, 2020 by JohnEB Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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