Space Tiger Hobbes Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 What color is the light blue on the bottom of the NASA F-104s? The new Caracal sheet calls out 15102 which Model Master calls "True Blue." I have that. Seems a little dark. Ideas? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
KursadA Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 That is most definitely a mistake - my apologies. 15102 is the dark blue color NASA uses for the cheatline. I believe FS15488 would be a good match for the light blue, but I will take more measurements from photos tonight and post an update. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vince Maddux Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 In the NASA graphics standard manual it does list it as FS15102. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Vince Maddux Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 NM, that's for the main cheatline Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Space Tiger Hobbes Posted August 1, 2020 Author Share Posted August 1, 2020 I found 15488 and it looks almost powder blue (in an image) (on the internet), so.... Closer colors I think are 25250 and 15125. I'm curious what it is and if somebody makes a bottle of paint for it. But I'm ok mixing something close from the plethora of blue colors out there. Like this. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Quixote74 Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 16 hours ago, Space Tiger Hobbes said: I found 15488 and it looks almost powder blue (in an image) (on the internet), so.... Closer colors I think are 25250 and 15125. I'm curious what it is and if somebody makes a bottle of paint for it. But I'm ok mixing something close from the plethora of blue colors out there. Like this. I recall an FSM Colors & Camouflage special feature many years ago that detailed the history of NASA's "fleet" schemes, but unfortunately I don't recall the standard for the light blue bellies. I would say it is darker than FS15488, but much lighter than FS15125. FS25250 is fairly close, possibly a bit dark. Judging how light/dark the light blue color is can be difficult since the areas below the cheatline are usually in shadow/poor lighting. I found this shot of an F-104A with the main gear doors in transition that gives a good comparison with the dark blue stripe in equivalent lighting: For the record, Rocketeer in their 1/144 F-104 decal instructions suggests Gunze 323 JASDF Light Blue. Hasegawa's recommendation is 80% H34 Sky Blue + 20% H1 White. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Space Tiger Hobbes Posted August 1, 2020 Author Share Posted August 1, 2020 (edited) Thanks, that Gunze color looks really good. Here's a shot indoors from the Boeing Museum of Flight out of the glare. Different tail number. Possibly restored. Edited August 1, 2020 by Space Tiger Hobbes Quote Link to post Share on other sites
CF104 Posted August 5, 2020 Share Posted August 5, 2020 On 8/1/2020 at 2:35 PM, Space Tiger Hobbes said: Thanks, that Gunze color looks really good. Here's a shot indoors from the Boeing Museum of Flight out of the glare. Different tail number. Possibly restored. The F-104 at the Museum of Flight is actually F-104C 56-0934 that never flew with NASA. They painted it to represent a NASA F-104 so I wouldn't use it as an accurate reference. The real NASA 820, F-104A 56-0790 was modified to a G for weapons shape testing and is now on display at Edwards AFB. Cheers, John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
picknpluck Posted August 6, 2020 Share Posted August 6, 2020 (edited) The Victory Productions sheet lists the light blue as FS 15450 FWIW. Apparently, True North makes that color. https://www.truenorthpaints.com/paintstore/air-superiority-blue Edited August 6, 2020 by picknpluck Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Space Tiger Hobbes Posted August 6, 2020 Author Share Posted August 6, 2020 (edited) Air Superiority Blue? Good to know. It seems at least a little gray, if not a little light. 15200 is sky blue, which is brighter and more like what I think of for the NASA 104s. I could be wrong. Edited August 6, 2020 by Space Tiger Hobbes Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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