White for US missiles

[seawinder]

I'm getting to that stage of an F-14A build. I used Insignia White FS 17875 for the under- and control surfaces. It's really a very slightly off-white. Question: were the missiles painted in that color or in a pure white? We're talking 1970s.

Thanks! Pip

[BillS]

Personally, I don’t know where the idea that 17875 is “off white”. When freshly painted insignia white is well, “white”. I think the exception is obviously heavily weathered or dirty areas. Turbine oil in particular leaves an oriangeish stain. So, missles of that period were white but might show hand prints etc. I think off white would look, I hate to say it this way, but off!

[GW8345]

The missiles were painted FS 17875 as stated but they weathered/faded differently then the aircraft so if your missiles and aircraft are the same shade, you're doing it wrong. 😄

 

The one thing about missiles, they are well maintained and cleaned regularly (especially when they are downloaded). If they get dirty after loading they are cleaned so there shouldn't be any hand prints on them.

 

Examples of white missiles on Grey/White aircraft.

 

https://www.ar15.com/forums/general/10_Years_Gone__the_F_14_Tomcat_s_Last_Flight/5-1911912/

 

[Camus272]

4 hours ago, BillS said:

Personally, I don’t know where the idea that 17875 is “off white”. When freshly painted insignia white is well, “white”. I think the exception is obviously heavily weathered or dirty areas. Turbine oil in particular leaves an oriangeish stain. So, missles of that period were white but might show hand prints etc. I think off white would look, I hate to say it this way, but off!

37875 is less "white" than 37925, so there is some (almost imperceptible) darkening to it. I've also noticed that Tamiya white is lighter (brighter?, whiter?) than 36875.

[seawinder]

7 hours ago, Illu said:

Don’t overthink white.  

I wasn't overthinking, just asking a fairly simple question.

[Finn]

Here are some white missiles from 1967:

 

 

Jari

[seawinder]

Thanks, Jari. The photo appears to show the missiles the same hue as the pylon. For better or worse, I went with "pure" white (Mr. Color C1) for the missiles and Insignia White 37875 for the pylons (same as the rest of the airframe).