Nightfighter Posted November 13, 2023 Share Posted November 13, 2023 I'm building the Revell/Hasegawa kit and it says in part 11 of the instructions to paint it a matt sandy yellow. Is that correct? And if so any paint recommendations? I've done many searches on Google but can't find any decent pictures of the exhaust bay....only this site which has rc planes and has that area looking yellowish..... https://www.jethangar.com/Aircraft/Corsair II/A7.html Quote Link to post Share on other sites
A-10 LOADER Posted November 13, 2023 Share Posted November 13, 2023 (edited) It's zinc chromate (yellow), same color as the avionics bays. I only use Model Master so I can't suggest paint brands unless you can find the 1/4 oz. small square bottles from Testors, #1184. Steve Edited November 15, 2023 by A-10 LOADER Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted November 13, 2023 Share Posted November 13, 2023 Confirming the zinc chromate inside the aft fuselage. I worked at LTV when these were rolling off the production line. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BillS Posted November 13, 2023 Share Posted November 13, 2023 Actually I’m going with epoxy polymide primer fs 34552. I’m not sure exactly when but zinc chromate’s use was terminated decades ago. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted November 14, 2023 Share Posted November 14, 2023 6 hours ago, BillS said: Actually I’m going with epoxy polymide primer fs 34552. I’m not sure exactly when but zinc chromate’s use was terminated decades ago. Well it *was* decades ago when I worked there. Many decades ago... And I should have been more specific - it was yellow zinc chromate (vs green) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Finn Posted November 14, 2023 Share Posted November 14, 2023 Here are a couple of examples: Jari Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BillS Posted November 14, 2023 Share Posted November 14, 2023 Actually I’m going with epoxy polymide primer fs 34552. I’m not sure exactly when but zinc chromate’s use was terminated decades ago. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BillS Posted November 14, 2023 Share Posted November 14, 2023 Compare polymide primer to yellow zinc chromate side by side. They’re not the same. Polymide epoxy was used throughout the F-16 and F-111 as well. I saw lots of them especially at Nellis when the 4450th used them in the ‘117 program. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BillS Posted November 14, 2023 Share Posted November 14, 2023 I’m thinking now that 34552 is not the right shade for the primer used on the A-7. That is the color for the F-16 and I believe the ‘111 however. Either way here is a good example of the A-7s color: BTW, zinc chromate’s use was stopped because it is highly carcinogenic. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GW8345 Posted November 14, 2023 Share Posted November 14, 2023 (edited) When I was in A-7E's (VA-82 1984-87) the tail cone was zinc chromate yellow but very dirty Here's a pic from the 85 Cruise Book, this is a VA-86 bird but our birds were the same color (inside); USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Mediterranean Cruise Book 1985 - VA-86 (navysite.de) USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Mediterranean Cruise Book 1985 - VA-86 (navysite.de) VA-82 birds USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Mediterranean Cruise Book 1985 - VA-82 (navysite.de) USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Mediterranean Cruise Book 1985 - VA-82 (navysite.de) other A-7's a-7e_158825_335mira_05_of_22.jpg (1024×683) (primeportal.net) a-7a_153135_054_of_109.jpg (800×600) (primeportal.net) a-7a_153135_085_of_109.jpg (800×600) (primeportal.net) a-7a_153135_088_of_109.jpg (800×600) (primeportal.net) GW Edited November 14, 2023 by GW8345 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nightfighter Posted November 15, 2023 Author Share Posted November 15, 2023 8 hours ago, GW8345 said: When I was in A-7E's (VA-82 1984-87) the tail cone was zinc chromate yellow but very dirty Here's a pic from the 85 Cruise Book, this is a VA-86 bird but our birds were the same color (inside); USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Mediterranean Cruise Book 1985 - VA-86 (navysite.de) USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Mediterranean Cruise Book 1985 - VA-86 (navysite.de) VA-82 birds USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Mediterranean Cruise Book 1985 - VA-82 (navysite.de) USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Mediterranean Cruise Book 1985 - VA-82 (navysite.de) other A-7's a-7e_158825_335mira_05_of_22.jpg (1024×683) (primeportal.net) a-7a_153135_054_of_109.jpg (800×600) (primeportal.net) a-7a_153135_085_of_109.jpg (800×600) (primeportal.net) a-7a_153135_088_of_109.jpg (800×600) (primeportal.net) GW I can't access the Nimitz photo's for some reason but from what you're saying the chromate was still in use in the mid 80's? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nightfighter Posted November 15, 2023 Author Share Posted November 15, 2023 (edited) Thanks guys. I should've mentioned that the 2 aircraft on the instruction sheet (not sure which one I will be doing yet) are VA 192 Golden Dragons USS Kittyhawk carrier air wing CVW-11 1971 and VA46 Clansmen carrier air wing CVW-3 USS John F Kennedy US Navy operation Desert Storm Persian Gulf 1991. I'll probably be doing the earlier 1971 version though. Interestingly the photo's of the completed model on Revells box shows the 71 version as having those electronic access areas being painted like an olive green. I take it that's incorrect? Am I correct in thinking that the 71 version has the yellow zinc chromate whilst the 91 version would have the more sand like colour (similar to 34552 polymide primer) like in BillS's earlier and last photo? Edited November 15, 2023 by Nightfighter Quote Link to post Share on other sites
habu2 Posted November 15, 2023 Share Posted November 15, 2023 Jake's "Modern SLUF Guide" has extensive photo coverage of the aft fuselage interior, with the caveat that the depicted airframe is a Greek A-7H. Having said that, all A-7 versions were built and painted at LTV. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GW8345 Posted November 15, 2023 Share Posted November 15, 2023 14 hours ago, Nightfighter said: I can't access the Nimitz photo's for some reason but from what you're saying the chromate was still in use in the mid 80's? Yes, the zinc chromate was used even up to the last cruise (VA-46 and 72 in 1990/91). https://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/cv67-91/051.htm Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Illu Posted November 17, 2023 Share Posted November 17, 2023 Absolutely yellow zinc chromate on every SLUF I’ve ever been close to. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BillS Posted November 17, 2023 Share Posted November 17, 2023 Being yellow green in color does not make it zinc chromate. Modern day primers may be yellow or yellow green but their compositions are different. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GW8345 Posted November 18, 2023 Share Posted November 18, 2023 6 hours ago, BillS said: Being yellow green in color does not make it zinc chromate. Modern day primers may be yellow or yellow green but their compositions are different. Maybe but all the A-7E's I saw on the flight line at NAS Cecil Field had zinc chromate painted on the interior areas (except for the cockpit). We aren't talking about modern day primer's, the primers we are talking about are at least 34 years old or older. Kind of funny how the spray paint we used to do touch ups for panels (inside) was labeled yellow zinc chromate. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BillS Posted November 19, 2023 Share Posted November 19, 2023 I’m talking about F-111s, F-15s, and 16s. Those are way beyond 30 years and none had zinc chromate from the factory. The Air Force stopped ZCs use in the 70s due being highly carcinogenic. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sigtau Posted November 19, 2023 Share Posted November 19, 2023 11 hours ago, BillS said: I’m talking about F-111s, F-15s, and 16s. Those are way beyond 30 years and none had zinc chromate from the factory. The Air Force stopped ZCs use in the 70s due being highly carcinogenic. I work for Boeing, we still use the modern equivalent of yellow zinc primer on some areas/parts depending on the finishing specifications. We will even sell it to customers in rattle cans! https://shop.boeing.com/aviation-supply/p/0084331=33 Instead of obsessing over the name of the primer or how the formula changed, you should be focusing on duplicating the actual color. There is no debating the photos posted in this thread, the A-7 bays/exhaust areas were painted a mustard yellow that resembles the paint commonly referred to as "yellow zinc chromate". Some were obviously done up in green. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geoff M Posted November 19, 2023 Share Posted November 19, 2023 59 minutes ago, sigtau said: I work for Boeing, we still use the modern equivalent of yellow zinc primer on some areas/parts depending on the finishing specifications. We will even sell it to customers in rattle cans! https://shop.boeing.com/aviation-supply/p/0084331=33 Instead of obsessing over the name of the primer or how the formula changed, you should be focusing on duplicating the actual color. There is no debating the photos posted in this thread, the A-7 bays/exhaust areas were painted a mustard yellow that resembles the paint commonly referred to as "yellow zinc chromate". Some were obviously done up in green. That's quite logical. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BillS Posted November 19, 2023 Share Posted November 19, 2023 sigtau indeed, the boeing spec is for mms 425 non organic primer. It comes in yellow and famously blue-green metallic on the F-15. I believe it comes in white as well. PPG, Desoto and others make it. In the end what matters is matching the color to your specific modeling endeavor, zinc chromate or not. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Mr.Happy Posted November 19, 2023 Share Posted November 19, 2023 For any reason you’re not able to find a good Yellow Zinc Chromate you may consider Tamiya XF-4 YELLOW GREEN as a possible substitute. I’m NOT saying this is the correct correct color, however it agin may prove useful as a close match in a pinch. Good luck on your search and build. Hopefully you will fine the Yellow Zinc Chromate. Best regards, Mr.Happy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
sigtau Posted November 20, 2023 Share Posted November 20, 2023 1 hour ago, BillS said: sigtau indeed, the boeing spec is for mms 425 non organic primer. It comes in yellow and famously blue-green metallic on the F-15. I believe it comes in white as well. PPG, Desoto and others make it. In the end what matters is matching the color to your specific modeling endeavor, zinc chromate or not. I would say you are looking for this color: https://spruebrothers.com/gunc352-chromate-yellow-primer-fs33481-flat-75-gunze-sangyo-mr-color-paint-line-10ml/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
evilmedic13 Posted November 29, 2023 Share Posted November 29, 2023 this looks close too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nightfighter Posted December 8, 2023 Author Share Posted December 8, 2023 Thanks again guys. This might be my final question but are the engine bay oval shaped ribs the same zinc colour or are they different? The ribs in this photo ...... http://data3.primeportal.net/hangar/bill_spidle2/a-7a_153135/images/a-7a_153135_054_of_109.jpg look as if they might be steel or silver etc. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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