viking73 Posted October 29, 2021 Share Posted October 29, 2021 Hi Gents - All this talk about the best B-29 kit here has made me buy and now start working on a Minicraft B-29 kit to help get my modeling mojo back 🙂 I do want to build a black bellied Korean War era B-29. In my 1/144 decal stash is a Kitsworld sheet with the sadly infamous "Kee Bird" on it. I may do this B-29 as the black belly combined with the high-vis tail and outer wing panels would be pretty striking I think. With that in mind, I have a question about the high-vis tail markings. I'm assuming it's fluorescent red and not international orange (the decal sheet just says "red")? Also, how much - if any - are the horizontal stabs painted with this high-vis color? My Kee Bird photos aren't clear on this. I saw a build of the "Kee Bird" on the web and the horizontal stabs were natural metal top and bottom. Is that correct? Would the fixed part be fluorescent red and the moving elevators be natural metal? Would the underside be black? Fluorescent red? Any light someone could shed on this would make me most grateful...! Thanks in advance. -Derek Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cubs2jets Posted October 31, 2021 Share Posted October 31, 2021 Well, I'm not any type of authority, I did NOT stay at a Holiday Inn last night, but I have spent time down the Google rabbit hole. I believe that in the time frame that "Kee Bird" was flying, the USAF was NOT using fluorescent paint for high visibility schemes. I believe the red/orange hi-visibility color was known as "International Orange" (though in my opinion it looks more red). Try this link for Sovern Color Coats: https://www.arizonahobbies.com/US-Air-Force-INTERNATIONAL-ORANGE-FS-12197-2-oz_p_4600.html C2j Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Spruemeister Posted November 1, 2021 Share Posted November 1, 2021 (edited) I’m thinking it was straight red for high latitude high visibility when the Air Force started the practice. The other colors came later. https://www.truenorthpaints.com/paintstore/gloss-arctic-red Rick L. Edited November 1, 2021 by Spruemeister Quote Link to post Share on other sites
viking73 Posted November 4, 2021 Author Share Posted November 4, 2021 Thanks for the replies gents. I too am leaning towards red, perhaps even plain ol' insignia red. After some more searching I found this photo. Looks like the entire emphanage is red. That Artic Red looks pretty good Rick. Ordering from True North paints may be a good excuse to try them out since my go-to Model Master enamels are now dead and gone 😞 I've already made the improvements to the engines, props and tail of the Minicraft/Crown kit: The first primer coat is already on. Need to fix a few minor issues and she'll almost be ready for paint. Better order some red soon! -Derek Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cameron Lynch Posted November 4, 2021 Share Posted November 4, 2021 Sorry it took me a few days to reply. The high visibility markings on Kee Bird were Insignia Red. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
viking73 Posted November 4, 2021 Author Share Posted November 4, 2021 Perfect! I was sort of leaning to that color myself... Thank you Cameron. -Derek Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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