USN Interiors

[HistnScale]

Seems like a lot questions about USN colors lately. Below is a copy of William Reece's monograph which gets posted on various sites now and then. I've found it a good reference and very reliable information.

Cheers,

Dave

USN & USMC Aircraft Interiors of WWII

William Reece

USN Aircraft Interiors: The answers here are complex. Until recently everyone assumed that the interior of all USN WWII aircraft was FS 34151 Interior Green. This is not always the case as is obvious from the Accurate Miniatures, TBF/TBM Avenger instruction sheet. Mr. Larry Webster an aviation archeologist and airplane restorer has extensive knowledge in this area. In addition to being a friend of mine Mr. Webster has many original parts from WWII USN aircraft to document his conclusions. Additionally he is a director at the Quonset Air Museum and is a volunteer with the New England Air Museum. Here is some help on this subject with all credit to Larry Webster.

Credit must also go to Dana Bell, author and friend for his help in this area. His article in the October 1997 FineScale Modeler magazine should be required reading. His 3 volume set Air Force Colors contains some useful info.

TBF-1 / TBF-1C, Avenger. Cockpit: Exactly like the Accurate Miniatures instructions show. FS 34058 Bronze Green forward from the bulkhead with the window (in front of the turret). FS 34151 Interior Green for the rear crew areas. Light Gray (Grumman Gray) inside the cowling, (FS 36440 is very close) and accessory area. The stainless steel ‘Dishpan’ firewall was unpainted and often quite bright. Torpedo bay: FS 34151. Remember on all of these a/c the general rule is that the wheel bays, landing gear struts, wheel centers, landing flap bays, etc. are the under surface color. On the Avenger the inside of the flap itself was the upper surface color with the inside of the flap well on the under surface of the wing being the bottom color.

TBM-1, -1C, TBM-3C, -3E Avenger. Cockpit: FS 34151 Interior Green. This also included the crew areas and fuselage interior. Early TBM-1s and –1C’s had cowling interiors like those of the TBF-1 with Non-Specular (flat) Light Gray from the firewall forward except for the dishpan. Later production aircraft would have had everything from the inside of the cowling all the way back in interior green. The landing gear and bays were the undersurface color, i.e. Insignia white bottom would be white. Glossy Sea Blue TBM-3 a/c would have GSB landing gear and flap interiors. The inside of the flaps would be similar to the TBF-1 above.

F4F-3 / F4F-4, Wildcat. Cockpit: FS 34058 Bronze Green. Some may have been painted FS 34151. Bronze Green is the first choice. The only area that was Bronze Green was the pilot’s portion of the cockpit above and below the 'Floor'. The fuel tank under the cockpit was light gray. The inside of the engine cowling and main gear bay were Light Gray, as was the interior of the fuselage all the way back to the tail. Tri-color aircraft would have had Insignia White wheel bays (cutout for the tire). Tom Cheek who fought the Japanese at Midway says that he painted his cockpit red to keep him alert! Anything is possible.

FM-1 / FM-2 Wildcat. Cockpit: Interior FS 34151, Interior Green, Similar to the TBM. Wheel bay (cutout for the tire) was the exterior color. The engine accessory area (the area behind the firewall) was Light Gray. Tri-color FM-1’s likely had Light Gray engine cowling interiors and the rear fuselage was Light Gray also.

F6F-3 Hellcat. Cockpit: The first 100 F6F-3s almost certainly had Bronze Green cockpit interiors. The rest had FS 34151 cockpits. The engine cowling and the fuselage interior including the area behind the cockpit where the small windows are located was Light Gray FS 36440 (Grumman Gray). Remember on all of these a/c the general rule is that the wheel bays, landing gear struts, wheel centers, landing flap bays, etc. are the under surface color. The area ahead of the rear main spar in the wheel bay was interior green. This area was unmasked and so may have had some significant white over spray. Interior Green should be the dominant color.

F6F-5 Hellcat. Cockpit: FS 34151. Later a/c with BuNo’s higher than about 80000 had the interior above the consoles in black Any F6F with the rear windows will have the rear fuselage in Light Gray. (Grumman Gray Take note: those building David McCambell's Minsi III.) The inside of the engine cowling could be Light Gray, Interior Green, or Zinc Chromate Yellow FS 33481, respectively according to production batch. Later F6F-5’s may have had a Flat Black cowling interior ahead of the baffle seal between the front and rear cylinder banks. This was most likely done at overhaul. The remainder was Interior Green. The inside of the fuselage on the F6F-5 without the windows would normally be FS 33481 ZCY. Very late a/c with BuNo’s in the 94000, range had Interior Green fuselage interiors and black upper cockpits. This is exactly according to the USN specifications at the time. All other areas of the airframe that were exposed to weather were painted Glossy Dark Sea Blue, ANA 623. Remember on all of these a/c the general rule is that the wheel bays, landing gear struts, wheel centers, landing flap bays, etc. are the under surface color. There should be no Interior Green visible on the exterior of any factory finished F6F-5. No F6F-5 aircraft were factory finished in the tri-color paint scheme. Note: ANA 623 is not FS 15042. FS 15042 is an FS 595 color that is close too, but not the same as ANA 623 color used during WWII. Although the variation is very slight they are different.

F7F Tigercat. Cockpit: FS 34151 Interior Green, the upper area above the consoles was black. All other internal areas should be FS 33481 Zinc Chromate Yellow including the Rear Cockpit. The Squadron F7F In Action clearly shows the rear cockpit in FS 33481 ZCY with black upper areas. Engine cowls: Interior Green or Zinc Chromate. Wheel bays: Interior Green FS 34151. Landing Gear: Support structure is Interior Green. The landing gear struts and wheels are Glossy Sea Blue ANA 623.

F8F Bearcat. Cockpit: FS 34151 Interior Green. The area above the consoles was black. The seat was black. Inside of the engine cowling was Zinc Chromate Yellow, Interior Green or possibly Flat Black. All other visible areas were Glossy Sea Blue similar to the F6F-5.

F4U-1 Birdcage, Corsair. Cockpit: Well this is tricky. The best evidence is black. Photos of F4U-1s taken at the time show the cockpits as being a very dark color. The F4U-1 E & M manual calls for Dull Dark Green. Photos and some wrecks show flat black. A photo of 'Pappy" Boyington in Bruce Gamble's book, The Black Sheep, shows him sitting in a Birdcage with a black armor plate and upper seat. This a/c also has no headrest. All other areas of the F4U-1 Birdcage Corsair would normally be 'Salmon'. Salmon is a pale pinkish/brown primer made by mixing Indian Red pigment with Zinc Chromate Yellow. The closest Munsell match is 2.5 YR 6/8 or between FS 32276 and FS 32356. This color was applied to the whole F4U before the final camouflage finish. The landing gear bays were this color. The insides of the main gear doors were Light Gray. Sometimes this was only over spray over the Salmon. Note: there were canvas covers on the inner and outer wheel bays that were either Olive Drab or Light Gray. The closest paint that I have found to the Salmon samples in my possession is PollyScale Railroad, Southern Pacific Daylight Orange. The E & M manual calls for the wheel bays, engine cowling and accessory cowlings to be painted in Non-Specular Light Gray to match the underside of the aircraft. Recovered wrecks show these areas to be Salmon however. Color photos of early Corsairs show the cowling interior to be Non-Specular Light Gray.

F4U-1A Corsair. Cockpit: FS 34151 Interior Green. All other areas of the F4U-1A were Zinc Chromate Yellow, FS 33481. Early F4U-1A's may have been Salmon. Landing gear: Light Gray or Aluminum Lacquer. This was true well into the F4U-4 production. Some a/c may have had Insignia white landing gear after overhaul or repaint.

F4U-1D Corsair. Cockpit: FS 34151 Interior Green. The area above the consoles was black. This matches the Navy's directives at the time very well. Inside of the wheel bays and engine cowling were also Interior Green FS 34151. Wheel bays could have been Zinc Chromate Yellow, FS 33481. Landing gear was Light Gull Gray or Aluminum Lacquer. After overhaul aircraft could have had the landing gear, wheel centers and wheel bays painted Glossy Sea Blue.

F4U-4 Corsair. Cockpit: FS 34151 Interior Green. The area above the consoles was black. Inside of the engine cowling was Zinc Chromate Yellow, Interior Green or possibly Flat Black with the area ahead of the cylinder seal in Glossy Sea Blue. All other visible areas were Glossy Dark Sea Blue similar to the F6F-5. Landing Gear: Aluminum Lacquer or Light Gray. After overhaul aircraft could have had the landing gear, wheel centers and wheel bays painted Glossy Sea Blue.

SBD-1 thru -6 Dauntless. Cockpit: FS 34151 Interior Green. Color photos of the SBD-1 aircraft confirm the interiors were Interior Green. The stainless steel ‘Dishpan’ firewall was unpainted and often quite bright. Dive Flap interiors were ANA 509, Insignia Red FS 31136. The wing supporting structure and dive brake linkage was the bottom color. Some SBDs had very dark green cockpits that were nearly black due to mixing variations with the different batches of paint.

SB2C-1, -3, -4 Helldiver. Cockpit: Curtiss Cockpit Green similar to PollyScale RLM 63 green. This color was distinctly different than other interior green colors because it was browner than other interior greens. Color photos of SB2C-1 a/c show this. There is considerable debate over the exact shade of this color. There was much variation in the different batches of Interior Green and this may have been just one variation. Note the wheel bays and landing gear struts, unlike most other USN a/c of the period were Curtiss Cockpit Green.

This answers most of the common questions. A whole lot of research needs to be done on this area. A lot depends on the production block of the a/c in question. Remember that these a/c could and did undergo maintenance, combat and severe weathering. Remember Tom Cheek and his red Wildcat interior. CHECK PHOTOS OF THE AIRCRAFT YOU INTEND TO MODEL.

References:

Mr. Larry Webster, Grumman Expert, Wreck Hunter, Aircraft Restorer and all around Great Guy.

Dana Bell, A fine gentleman and expert.

John M. Elliot; The Official Monogram US Navy and Marine Corps Aircraft Color Guide, Vol. 2, 1940-1949.

Doll, Jackson, Riley; Navy Air Colors, Vol. 1, 1919-1945.

[Big Har]

A big thanks Dave,

I just printed this information out and added it to my reference sources. I do hope we have helped other modellers on this site with all our pictures and information. If you ever need some information especially naval aviation then feel free to contact me anything and hopefully, I can assist you.

Harry

[jrallman]

Always nice to have all the info in once place. Perhaps a mod could pin this topic to go along with the other interior color topic that has been pinned?

[Chorse6]

Great info...and yet I'm still so confused!

It sounds like each aircraft was unique to the time the model is to be built.

Thanks Dave

Edited April 10, 2008 by Chorse6

[HistnScale]

Great info...and yet I'm still so confused! :)

It sounds like each aircraft was unique to the time the model is to be built.

Thanks Dave

Yes sir, you are correct to large degree. During the first couple of years of the war, there was an ongoing effort to reconcile the paint specs between the Army and Navy to facilitate production. A number of colors were either eliminated or reconciled into one color specification. Bronze Green was replaced by Dull Dark Green due to the reflection issues with BG and then Dull Dark Green was replaced by the reconciled "Tinted Zinc Cromate/Interior Green".

Add to this that you then had manufacturers (Gruman and Republic come to mind) who continued to use a given color well past the dates the specifications changed.

And someone said Luftwaffe colors were confusing. :)

Dave

[jrallman]

Add to that the confusion created because many planes used subcontracted parts for certain fittings, which sometimes matched the interior color of the plane, but sometimes didn't (P-51 and P-38 seats come to mind). Then there was a standing order or practice or rule of thumb to use old paint stocks before switching, which resulted in color changes lagging behind the order to varying degrees from one plant to the next, as Dave mentioned. Then there were field mods and repaints, and the fun just goes on and on!

[don f]

Here's more from William Reece posted at Hyperscale:

Cockpit colors

January 31 2007 at 11:47 AM William Reece (Login WMReece1954)

HyperScale Forums from IP address 152.1.127.101

Response to Compilation of WWII US aircraft cockpits: Bronze Green, Interior Green, or another color

F4F: Most were Bronze Green, a few very late Interior Green

FM-1: Most were Interior Green a few early a/c Bronze Green

FM-2: Interior Green

F6F: First 100 Bronze Green, All others Interior Green

F4U-1: Black

F4U-1A, -1D, -4: Interior Green

F4U-2: Black

OS2U: Early a/c Aluminum Lacquer, Later a/c Black

SB2U-1, SB2U-2: Aluminum Lacquer

SB2U-3; Black

B-24D; Bronze Green

William

F4U-1A Interior

January 30 2007 at 2:01 PM William Reece (Login WMReece1954)

HyperScale Forums from IP address 152.1.127.101

Dave,

Larry and I based our findings on original photos, Vought documents and numerous pieces of wrecked aircraft that were recovered. I would expect Boyington's mount to have an Interior Green (FS 34151, technically ANA 611)cockpit with an Instrument Black instrument panel. The remainder of the interior of the aircraft would have been Zinc Chromate Yellow (very close to FS 33481). This would include the interior of the cowling except for the unpainted stainless steel firewall and of course the cockpit. The interiors of the gear doors would have been the exterior color (Insignia White). The tail wheel door interior is most likely white as well though Interior Green or ZCY are options as well. The landing gear and wheels would most likely have been Nonspecular Light Gray (close to FS 36440) or Aluminum Lacquer. The wing fold interiors would most likely have been Sea Blue (never Interior Green or Zinc Chromate Yellow).

If you build with the cowl flaps open you'd want to the inside of the firewall to be stainless steel up to just inside where the cowl flaps meet it. The oxygen bottle in the cockpit is gloss or semi-gloss Light Green (Willow Green, ANA 503 or FS 14187) not yellow. I would expect that BuNo 17915 (a later -1A) did not have had the belly window or any Salmon tinted primer. Don't forget to close the step hole in the right inner flap, only F4U-1Ds had that though lots of restored a/c have it. Check the Detail and Scale about the landing light on the bottom of the wing. I know it was dropped sometime in production but I'm at work so I don't have access to the info about when it was deleted.

William

Corsair Wheel Bay colors

William Reece (Login WMReece1954)

HyperScale Forums 152.1.127.101

December 17 2007, 11:27 AM

Rick,

First, let me say that the following is the result of years (decades?) of research gathered from photos, wrecks and documentation. In general for most USN WW2 era a/c you're correct that the wheel bays, gear struts, wheels, landing gear doors and fittings are the exterior color. However for a factory fresh and most in service F4U-1D, Corsairs the wheel bay would be Zinc Chromate Yellow, close to FS 33481. I wrote a monograph some years ago and it's on this website. Do a search on my name in Hyperscale's search function.

Just from photographic evidence, it looks as if a lot of landing gear struts were in Aluminum Lacquer. Wreck evidence and New Old Stock (NOS) parts indicate that Nonspecular (flat) Light Gray (close to FS 36440) was very common. Grumman F6F-5 aircraft generally followed the rule "Paint it blue and send it through". Grumman was focused on maximum production and that was one way of achieving that goal, much like deleting the Insignia Blue surround on the national markings. I would also say that it appears many overhauled Corsairs left with Aluminum Lacquer landing gear. Corrosion was a constant battle for carrier based aircraft. I expect that high wear parts such as landing gear were often painted or touched up much like modern USN tactical paint scheme aircraft are.

I wrote the following regarding the F4U-1D:

F4U-1D Corsair. Cockpit: FS 34151 Interior Green. The area above the consoles was black. This matches the Navy's directives at the time very well. Inside of the wheel bays and engine cowling were also Interior Green FS 34151. Wheel bays could have been Zinc Chromate Yellow, FS 33481. Landing gear was Light Gull Gray or Aluminum Lacquer. After overhaul aircraft could have had the landing gear, wheel centers and wheel bays painted Glossy Sea Blue.

I will also add that the interior of the landing gear doors could be either ZCY or Glossy Sea Blue. Also, note that the first production batches of the F4U-1D were delivered in the Three Tone scheme. I have also been unable to find a photo of a never overhauled F4U-1D with the anti-glare area in Flat Sea Blue. I would also say that applies to WW2 era F4U-4 a/c. I frequently see models of F4U-5 and -5N a/c with Flat Black anti-glare areas. This is wrong and against the directives of the time and contradicts (color) photo evidence. It should be Nonspecular (flat) Sea Blue.

William Reece

F6F-3 Hellcat Primers and coatings

January 29 2008 at 11:28 PM William Reece (Login WMReece1954)

HyperScale Forums from IP address 24.163.38.131

About a week ago someone posted about camouflage colors being applied to a seemingly NMF F6F-3 Hellcat. I did some digging and found my copy of the 3/3/43 revision of the F6F-3 specs. for the application of the protective coatings and finish. I'm going to summarize this to keep it less technical. Here goes.

This applies to F6F-3, Hellcats, BuNo. 04775-05054 and 08894-09038 which would be the first two production batches of Hellcats for the fleet. Later aircraft are generally similar.

The first section deals with finish requirements according to Navy requirements of Spec. SR15-C. It states that Non-specular Sea Blue, Semi-gloss Sea Blue, Intermediate Blue and Insignia White are the colors for the airframe exterior. These colors replace aluminized lacquer as an exterior finish. That would have been the prototype Hellcats. They also replace the earlier Non-specular Blue-Gray and Non-specular Light Gray finish.

A shop coat of primer was required. This was applied as soon as possible after parts or assemblies were fabricated. This was thinned zinc chromate primer and comprised the first coat of the finish. The first coat of the finish system was this zinc chromate shop coat.

Tinted primer replaces aluminized zinc chromate primer. Tinted primer is made by mixing ten ounces of black enamel with one gallon zinc chromate primer. “The color resulting from the above will vary and is not required to match any color standard.†(My quotes). The result of this is Interior Green, similar to ANA 611 or FS 34151.

Tinted primer replaces semi-gloss Bronze Green on the interior of the cockpit.

It’s interesting to note that 11 gallons of Zinc Chromate and 15 gallons of Tinted Zinc Chromate were required for each Hellcat produced.

It’s also interesting to note that 5.5 ounces of Indian Red paste were required as well. I have seen this ‘Salmon’ primer on the structure of the elevators of recovered parts.

The exterior was considered a Class ‘A’ surface and was to receive 1 coat of zinc chromate primer (shop coat) and 2 coats of the appropriate camouflage color. This also included the cockpit which received two coats of ‘darkened primer’ (My quotes). This resulted in the cockpit having two coats of interior green primer.

It also states that ready mixed non-specular gray should be thinned with 1 ¼ parts thinner to 1 part non-specular gray. This was applied to the entire interior surface of the airframe excluding the cockpit.

The firewall was not to be painted. The entire airframe was to be painted with zinc chromate primer and then the finish coats according to the type of service the part was subjected to. The exception was Class ‘D’ surfaces which were anodized parts.

It is interesting to note that in the painting chart dated April 15,1944 the National insignia (Stars with Bars) on the upper left wing was not required to have Insignia Blue applied to the border. A photo of a Hellcat with this exact style insignia appears in the old Aerodata International book on US Navy Fighters of WW2. Further the Insignia White on the National insignia was to be painted with a 1:1 mix of Non-specular Light Gray and Non-specular Insignia White.

Hope this all makes sense.

William Reece

Hellcat Bronze Green

March 8 2008 at 10:25 PM William Reece (Login WMReece1954)

HyperScale Forums from IP address 24.163.38.131

Response to Hellcat question...........YES ANOTHER!

Only about the first 100 or so Hellcats had Bronze Green interiors. They would have NS Blue Gray over Gray with the 'Grumman Wave' paint scheme, fairings over the inner two 50 cal guns on each side, landing light under the port wing and the forward leaning antenna mast. All the rest would have Interior Green, ANA 611.

William

[David Walker]

This definitely need to be pinned as these questions come up literally every day. (though I realize even when it is pinned these questions will still come up. )

[don f]

To get William Reece's postings to Hyperscale all together, here's his comments on the F4U Corsair colors and comment on the F4U-2.......

Corsair window area and interior

August 24 2005 at 11:49 AM William Reece (Login WMReece1954)

HyperScale Forums from IP address 152.1.127.101

Guys,

Okay here's my take on the F4U-1 paint under the window. It's nonspecular blue-gray. No doubt. I can only find one photo, of nearly 100 (the one posted) where it appears something other than NS blue-gray. Light and shadow sometimes have an effect but in clear, straight on shots it's always the exact same tone as the exterior and in the one color photo that is straight on it's NS blue-gray. I see this as a non-issue and totally as a matter of photography and light.

On to the interior. This is much more open to speculation. Some photos (the Boyington pic) and recovered wrecks seem to suggest nonspecular black in the cockpit. That's what I went with on my Tamiya -1. The E & M manual clearly states Dull Dark Green (DuPont). I suppose it could also be Bronze Green but there is no evidence to support that. Bronze Green would also be very dark in a B/W photo.

Salmon primer was a mixture of Indian Red paste and Zinc Chromate (yellow) primer. It was used in the same way as other tinted zinc chromate primers were used; to indicate a second protective coat. It was sometimes visible in the wheel wells of factory finished nonspecular blue-gray over nonspecular light gray F4U-1 Corsairs (one would also assume -2's as well). The wheel wells may also have been nonspecular light gray or some combination of the two.

The last batch of -1's were delivered in the new (at the time) three tone camouflage. These a/c probably had the wheel wells painted in zinc chromate yellow.

Hope this helps,

William Reece

Need to find a pic of one without the windows!

Peter (Login f14peter)

HyperScale Forums 198.189.6.104

August 24 2005, 12:52 PM

It's my understanding that occasionally the rear windows were removed since they served little practical purpose, probably (due to the severe angle at which the pilot looked back through them) actually restricted vision, and their removal had no detrimental effects on aerodynamics.

Mr. Reece while we have you on the line,,,,Colors for F4U-1a

joe taylor (Login joetaylor)

HyperScale Forums 69.212.152.130

August 24 2005, 1:18 PM

I had saved your previous posting as a primer for WWII U.S. Navy planes and I am completing the F4F-4 now using it.

The next plane up shortly is my Tamiya F4U-1a and I have some questions because your post above seems to be different at least as respects the wheel well color. I may be mistaken because I don't have your initial post with me.

The three color camo scheme.

Interior green or black pit?

Wing interiors exposed behind flaps YZC?????

Wheel wells white or YZC?

Wheel legs White or aluminum?

Thanks for your help.

F4U-1A Interior

William Reece (Login WMReece1954)

HyperScale Forums 152.1.127.101

August 24 2005, 5:29 PM

I see that Modeldad posted my latest version of USN aircraft interiors in a later thread. As far as I know I will still stand by all of that. I need to add the F2A, SB2U and TBD since I have much better handle on those aircraft than I did several years ago.

Joe to answer your questions for the F4U-1A Corsair;

All F4U-1A's were tri color and all -1D's were overall Glossy Sea Blue (this may have excluded test and prototypes)

Cockpit is Interior Green ANA 611 (FS 34151) that's the whole thing visible on any model. The instrument panel is instrument black. The Detail and Scale F4U book is dead on accurate.

Any area you can see from the outside is camouflage color. That would be the flap bays and wing folds. I still see models with the wing folds in Interior Green. They were nonspecular Sea Blue ANA 607 (FS 35042). The underside flap bays are nonspecular White ANA 601 (FS 37875/37925) There should be no Zinc Chromate Yellow, Salmon or Interior Green showing with the flaps down or the wings folded.

Wheel bay tops; Zinc Chromate Yellow

Gear door interiors; NS White. Rarely Interior Green or Interior Green with White overspray.

Inside the fuselage above the Tail Wheel; Zinc Chromate Yellow. Generally the tail wheel doors are White inside and out but could be Zinc Chromate Yellow.

I think the gear legs were Aluminum Lacquer. Larry Webster and I differ here. He insists that they were nonspecular Light Gray. I don't think photos support that but either is acceptable.

Hope that helps,

William

F4U-ID colours.

Peter Mossong (Login 3ipmsnz)

HyperScale Forums 219.89.42.169

August 25 2005, 4:24 AM

Hi William. Sorry, but I have to disagree with your statement that all -ID's were Glossy Sea Blue except for prototypes etc.

The Royal New Zealand Air Force received many of the early production batches of the -ID's, and they were received in the so called 'Tri-Color' scheme.

I have full Bu.No. and constructors numbers to back up my statement, and other than the lack of Colour photographs, there are enough good clear 'Official' RNZAF photos in the various archives here in New Zealand to show Corsairs in what I prefer to call the 'Four Tone Scheme', with underwing pylons which did not appear on any so called -IA's!

Many also had the early 'barred' canopy of the -IA, and the larger diameter props.

Cheers,

Peter Mossong http://rnzaf.hobbyvista.com

F4U-1D

William Reece (Login WMReece1954)

HyperScale Forums 152.1.127.101

August 25 2005, 8:21 AM

Peter,

I suppose I should have said all US Navy F4U-1D's. I've yet to find any photos of USN -1D's in anything other than Glossy Sea Blue.

I would be most interested in those BuNo's you have regarding RNZAF Corsairs. BTW your site is very interesting. Thanks for the link. Larry Webster and I both think that the change over to Glossy Sea Blue occured with the change to -1D production so this is new information to me. I wonder if it's possible that the RNZAF repainted them to the tri color scheme (you're correct with the 4 colors BTW), though that doesn't seem likely. I suppose it's also possible that Vought was using up the older paint to fill the RNZAF order.

William

RNZAF F4U-1D colours.

Peter Mossong (Login 3ipmsnz)

HyperScale Forums 219.89.45.38

August 26 2005, 3:51 AM

Hi William,

All the RNZAF's F4U-1A and -1D Corsairs came from pooled US Navy/Marines stocks at Espritu Santo and Guadalcanal, and were not specifically produced to an RNZAF order. Only the 60 FG-1D's were received as a special order.

These a/c were not repainted by the RNZAF when received, and many served until the end of their operational life (and eventual ferry flights back in NZ) in the original (and in many cases VERY faded and worn) scheme. Some were repainted in several schemes, but this was done when time and operations allowed.

I'll send you the serials file which covers them all. Bu.No. and makers serials are included.

Cheers,

Pete M.

P.S. I'm still working on my Corsair pages for the site, but due to pressure of my day job, and trying to do some modelling, it's taking a while to complete to my satisfaction!

'Nuther Corsair Color question. F4U-2 this time.

January 31 2007 at 11:09 AM Dave Cantrell (Login dgcantrell)

HyperScale Forums from IP address 70.150.201.195

What about the wheel well colors on these birds. Same as -1A or would the salmon color be a possibility?

Cheers,

Dave

William Reece (Login WMReece1954)

HyperScale Forums 152.1.127.101

F4U-2

January 31 2007, 11:56 AM

Dave,

The -2's were pulled from the -1 Birdcage assembly line so they're the same. They would have had Salmon wheel bays and gear door interiors with Nonspecular Light Gray as an alternative. This may have been just overspray. Cowling interior; Ns Light Gray or Salmon. Black cockpit interior. I'd use some RLM 66 with black mixed in to make it a bit different than the instrument panel.

William

[don f]

And here's William Reece's post to RMS concerning the tinted primer used on Corsair's.............

There has been a lot of discussion about the use of 'Salmon' colored primer on the F4U-1 Corsair since I posted several messages to the newsgroup rec.models.scale in mid 1996. There was mention of it made at the 1997 IPMS National Convention and Dana Bell mentioned it's use in his article in FineScale Modeler. This is an attempt to further clarify and identify the use of 'Salmon' primer on these aircraft. Mr. Larry Webster who is associated with the New England Air Museum has kindly provided me with copies of the original Chance Vought Erection and Maintenance Instructions for the F4U-1 Corsair. This document lists all of the materials and procedures needed to build an F4U-1 Corsair. First in the Materials list of finishes for the F4U-1 is Lacquer-Dull Dark Green for use on the cockpit interior, USN Spec. AN-TT-L-51, quantity 1 1/2 gals. supplied by Du Pont. Next is listed Zinc Chromate Primer USN Specification AN-TT-P-656 supplied by Du Pont, quantity 15 gals. This would be the familiar yellow zinc chromate primer similar to FS 33481 or Testors small bottle Zinc Chromate. Also included in this listing is the requirement for 1 1/2 lbs. of Indian Red Paste, Tinting Medium USN Spec. TT-I-511 supplied by Valentine of New York. Indian Red is a dark red-brown color and is widely available as an artist oil paint sold in art supply stores and full line hobby shops. The Indian Red was to be prepared as follows: 2 oz. of Indian Red mixed in 2 gals. of toluol or equivalent (AN-T-8b toluol substitute, similar to lacquer thinner) solvent. This mixture was to be used to reduce 1 gal. of zinc chromate package material (un-reduced zinc chromate primer). This mixture was known as TINTED PRIMER (my caps). This comes from pages 1106 and 1110 of the F4U 1 Corsair Erection and Maintenance Instructions.

In section 7.2 of the E&M instructions the raw aluminum for the construction of the Corsair was treated with a primer coat of zinc chromate. This coat known as the Shop Primer Coat was to serve as a first coat for the finishes to follow. This coat was applied very thin and results in a yellow-green color. This is the US equivalent of the Aotake blue-green primer on Japanese aircraft in WW 2. In section 7.31 of section 7.3 Detail Protective Schedules Class: AA for Special Conditions or Material: magnesium alloy parts were to receive two coats of zinc chromate primer followed by two coats of TINTED PRIMER. In section 7.321 under section 7.32 Class A or 3 Coat Protection: the exterior metal surfaces were to receive one coat of primer and one or two coats of lacquer finish color depending on the metal used. Section 7.331 under section 7.33 Class B or Two Coat Protection states that the 'Interior of the cockpit from Station 129 to Station 186 and all parts contained therein except the instrument and control panels, control handles, etc. shall be one coat of primer on details or subassemblies followed by one coat of cockpit green lacquer after assembly. The interior surfaces of fuselage (except cockpit), wings, flaps, ailerons, tail surfaces and all parts contained within shall receive one coat primer on details or subassemblies followed by one coat TINTED PRIMER on assembly; light non-specular gray shall be the top coat on wheel wells. The engine mount, front face of the firewall and all parts forward thereof shall receive one coat of primer and one coat of TINTED PRIMER except the interior of the engine and accessory compartment cowling and such areas which may be exposed to view. The second coat on the interior of the engine and accessory compartment cowling shall be light non-specular gray; areas exposed to view shall match the surrounding exterior color'. Section 14 describes the color system to be used on the Corsair. Section 14.1 deals with the exterior of the aircraft and section 14.4 states that the color of the cockpit shall be finished in cockpit green lacquer as noted in #7.331. The interior of the windshield frame shall be non-specular black. Sections 14.6 and 14.7 state that the cargo, baggage, fuselage fuel compartment and structural spaces be painted in TINTED ZINC CHROMATE PRIMER as stated in #7.331. Finally pages 1120 and 1126 of the E&M Instruction describe the use and preparation of tinted zinc chromate printer USN Spec AN-TT-P-656. Local Process Specification Nos. 21-24-26-28-30-32 Application of Top Coats gives specific instructions on the preparation and application of the various paint coats used on the Corsair. Two methods are given for tinted zinc chromate. Method (a) involves the use of 2 oz. of aluminum paste per gallon of zinc chromate package material thinned 1 part primer to 1 1/2 parts thinner. This is the formula mentioned in John Elliot's, Official Monogram US Navy and Marine Corps Aircraft Color Guide, vol 2. Method (b) uses 2 oz. Indian Red Paste per package gallon of zinc chromate primer and thinned 1 part primer to 2 parts thinner. What is the bottom line of all of this? Well for one F4U-1 Birdcage Corsairs had their interior areas except the wheelbays, engine cowling and accessory cowlings painted in a dull orange-brown tinted zinc chromate primer know as 'Salmon'. The closest paint that I have found to the samples in my possession is PollyScale Railroad, Southern Pacific Daylight Orange. The wheelbays, engine cowling and accessory cowlings were painted in Non-Specular Light Gray to match the underside of the aircraft. The cockpit was painted Du Pont Dull Dark Green. Photos of F4U 1s taken at the time show the cockpits as being a very dark color. Articles recovered from various F4U-1 crash sites confirm these instructions. Articles removed from F4U 1, BuNo 02368 which crashed near Exeter, Rhode Island on September 12, 1944 show good evidence of the use of 'Salmon' primer on the structural spaces. Other parts recovered from other crash sites show evidence of 'Salmon' on interior spaces and inside the wheelbays and tailwheel bay. Others show 'Salmon' underneath Non-Specular Light Gray in the wheelbay tops.

Many thanks to Larry Webster for his time finding the documentation on this subject. Any errors or omissions are the sole responsibility of the author. Copyright 1998.

William Reece.

Fly Navy!

Excerpt from William Reece’s USN Interior Colors - Revised

F4U-1 Birdcage Corsair. Cockpit: Well this is tricky. The best evidence is black. Photos of F4U-1s taken at the time show the cockpits as being a very dark color. The F4U-1 E & M manual calls for Dull Dark Green. Photos and some wrecks show flat black. A photo of 'Pappy" Boyington in Bruce Gamble's book, The Black Sheep, shows him sitting in a Birdcage with a black armor plate and upper seat. This a/c also has no headrest. All other areas of the F4U-1 Birdcage Corsair would normally be 'Salmon'. Salmon is a pale pinkish/brown primer made by mixing Indian Red pigment with Zinc Chromate Yellow. The closest Munsell match is 2.5 YR 6/8 or between FS 32276 and FS 32356. This color was applied to the whole F4U before the final camo finish. The landing gear bays were this color. The insides of the main gear doors were Light Gray. Sometimes this was only overspray over the Salmon. Note: there were canvas covers on the inner and outer wheel bays that were either Olive Drab or Light Gray. The closest paint that I have found to the Salmon samples in my possession is PollyScale Railroad, Southern Pacific Daylight Orange. The wheelbays, engine cowling and accessory cowlings were painted in Non-Specular Light Gray to match the underside of the aircraft.

[David Walker]

Thanks for the added information Don.

[don f]

Here's some info from William Reece regarding the F6F-3...............

F6F-3 Paint scheme

March 3 2008 at 11:14 PM William Reece (Login WMReece1954)

HyperScale Forums from IP address 24.163.38.131

Donald,

You're on the right track. The illustrations are accurate only to a point. I prefer PollyScale but ModelMaster (both Acryl and solvent) has the correct colors. The correct tri-color paint scheme is actually a 4 color scheme. You're correct that the FS Standards didn't exist during WW2. The system in use was the ANA (Army Navy Aircraft) and issued standard colors for all aircraft produced in the US. 500 series colors were gloss finish and 600 series were intended for camouflage. The bottom is Nonspecular (ie. flat) Insignia White, FS 37875 (ANA 601). The fuselage sides and vertical tail is Nonspecular Intermediate Blue, FS 35164 (ANA 608). The top of the fuselage and leading edge of the wing back to about the main spar (first 1/4 of the wing) is Nonspecular Sea Blue FS 35042 (ANA 607). The remainder of the wing and the horizontal stabilizers is Semi-gloss Sea Blue FS 25042 (ANA 606). This is strickly according to the Navy specs listed in the SR-2 documents and Grumman's painting instructions. In reality the sun and sea caused the two wing finishes to weather and become a faded flat Sea Blue. If you look at photos you can see that the Non-specular Sea Blue on the wings frequently looks a bit lighter than the leading edges on older planes. I find that PollyScale 20-B, Faded Deck Blue is closer to the actual color than the color they produce for NS Sea Blue. Sea Blue when new has a slight green aspect to it. It is very much different than the Sea Blue applied to USN a/c of the 50's, say F9F Panthers and AD-1 Skyraiders. Gloss Sea Blue applied to later Hellcats is color ANA 623 (about FS 15042) and is listed as a camouflage color even though it is gloss finish.

The exact specs from Grumman call for the upper wing Star and Bar to have no Insignia Blue border and for the white to be mixed 1:1 with Nonspecular Light Gray (close to FS 36440), so the decals provided with the kit are very accurate in both color, style and size. To my mind they are one of the best aspects of the kit. Aircraft that had the earlier Red bordered Star and Bar would of course have that over painted with Insignia Blue of something approaching it about mid September 1943. New production aircraft would have had the borderless insignia on the upper left wing.

If you need more feel free to email me.

William Reece

[don f]

And here's some info about the F6F Minsi by William Reece:

Minsi III

William Reece (Login WMReece1954)

November 28 2007 at 11:01 PM

HyperScale Forums from IP address 24.163.38.131

Joe,

Glad to help you out. Stan set you on the right path. The lenses are clear with colored bulbs. Make sure the area within the housing is Light Gull Gray (Grumman Gray, near FS 36440). The circular areas on the upper wing in front of the leading edge of the ailerons is a Blue formation light. Nearly all USN and USAAF a/c of the late 30's thru the early 50's have them. The Hellcat and Corsair are flush. Others such as the SB2C Helldiver are teardrop shaped like the one on the Hellcat's spine. This spine light was eliminated after F6F-5, BuNo 70289. There are 3 recognition lights on the belly; red, green and amber from front to rear.

In your drawing there is a port for the gun camera just above the right prop blade in the leading edge of the wing stub. There is a small service door just above the opening. Outboard of that is each wing stub is a cockpit vent intake. Make sure to eliminate the lower cowl flaps. Also add metal plates to the lower wing flaps. These were added to prevent the HVAR rockets from burning the fabric covered flaps. There is also a service door on the right side for the ADI system for the R-2800-10W. In your drawing it's behind the rear bow of the sliding portion of the canopy. Make sure to fill the circular landing light on the lower port wing if you're doing the Hasegawa 1/48th kit. The later Hellcats (not nightfighters) carried only a deck approach light on the leading edge of port wing in line with the inner rocket rail.

Minsi III, BuNo 70143, was part of the second production block of F6F-5's. At the time of McCampbell's MoH mission at Leyte Gulf, I don't think it carried rockets or rocket rails though this is not 100%. Photos of Minsi II do not show rocket rails. McCampbell stated that he nearly always carried rockets but for the intercept of the October 24, 1944 Japanese strike where he shot down 9 Zeros I don't think he carried anything but the centerline tank (painted, flat Insignia White). At that time it carried 21 Japanese 'Kill' flags on both sides with the 'meatball' facing forward. The name Minsi III was on both sides in yellow. Later this a/c carried a maximum of 30 kills. Minsi IV (but marked Minsi III) was a Bond Tour a/c and carried a full 34 kills with the 'meatballs' facing the rear. It can be seen at the NMNA in Pensacola, FL.

The inside of the engine cowling was Grumman Gray as was the entire fuselage interior except for the cockpit. This included the area behind the cockpit where the fuselage windows are located. The cockpit was ANA 611 Interior Green (FS 34151) with a black instrument panel. The seat was ANA 611 with white seat and shoulder belts.

The area where the landing gear leg meets the spar is Interior Green but all the rest of the landing gear, struts, doors, wheel bay, wheels, and tail gear are Glossy Sea Blue.

The antenna mast was located slightly left of the fuselage centerline on all Hellcats after F6F-3 BuNo 41295. All F6F-5's had one fixed and one servo tab on each aileron (note, your drawing shows only right top and bottom side of the a/c). The left side would be a mirror image.

Hope this helps.

William Reece

[Sören]

Of which colour are the electrical wires in the cockpit of a F6F-3?

[Huey Gunner]

Great info. Thanks!!

[Airborne]

Sorry to muddle things, but here is an addition to the USN Interior colors, specifically the TBF-1/ TBF-1C.

The colors were not exactly as described in the Accurate Miniatures instructions, nor as they were described in the "The Official Monogram US Navy & Marine Corps Aircraft Color Guide" series by John Elliot. In the volume covering WW2, he described the TBF interior colors (with diagram) as you stated.

I have been a researcher for several model companies,decal companies as well as for Detail & Scale for more than 30 years. I also was a photographer for D&S. And I am a published author. Here is the "Muddle": When we were doing the research for the D&S Avenger book, I photographed the TBF-1 that is at the Yanks Air Museum in Chino, California. It is the only known TBF-1 and it is not just a combat veteran, it also was in the movie "Wing and a Prayer". It was "bailed" to the studio for the movie. The studio retained possession of it and it was sold in the infamous movie plane auction. Sorry, guys, but the ENTIRE CREW SECTION, that is the front cockpit, middle cockpit, gun turret interior and the radio operators compartment are all the same color: BRONZE GREEN. I photographed an area of the roof of the radio compartment under the tail fin extension and it was BRONZE GREEN as well. When I check an aircraft for colors, I make sure to look in areas not generally visited, and therefore not likely to be repainted. The Yanks TBF-1 is stripped to bare metal exteriors, but the interior colors are intact and consistently the same color throughout. There is no other green color anywhere in those areas in that plane.Yanks makes a strict policy of preserving the original colors found during restoration to allow matching of the original colors if repainting is needed. I called Bill Bosworth with this info, but the instructions had already been printed and the kits boxed. I hope this helps.

Jim

[Airborne]

Re USN Interior colors. Bronze Green, when viewed in B&W photogrphs often appears as BLACK. Dana Bell has stated this several times. Also, Dull Dark Green can appear as Black as well. Black was used by Goodyear in the Corsairs that they produced. White Ensign has produced both US Bronze Green and Dull Dark Green in their WEM Colours range. I order directly from them and get the colors in about 10 days via first class mail. Cost averages from $1.95 to $2.20 per tin with postage. I normally buy 5 or more tins to keep the postage costs reasonable.

Jim

[JimC]

To anyone that knows,

I hate to sound like I'm sorta hijacking this thread, but it DOES have to do

with USN interiors, to whit:

I have the Signifer 1/48 JR5 Grumman Goose, and since it's a Navy aircraft

I'm looking for ideas on the inside of the wheel wells, interior color(s), cockpit

colors, etc. The directions call for "light fawn", and I guess one person painted

it "sail".

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Jim

Edited March 15, 2009 by JimC

[don f]

TBD Interiors

January 24 2010 at 3:09 PM William Reece (Login WMReece1954)

HyperScale Forums from IP address 68.214.244.236

TBD interiors are one of the mysteries. Until the Navy pulls those 2 TBDs up from Jaluit atoll we'll never know for sure since they were from the two production batches. These, what I call 'transition aircraft', because they were produced when the Navy was transitioning from the earlier aluminum lacquer interiors to the greens, are among the most difficult to pin down.

Obviously TBD 6-T-6 in the Life photos has a green cockpit. 6-T-16 in one of the other photos that also shows 6-T-6 in the foreground, has an aluminum lacquer interior. Obviously there were two interior standards for TBDs. What Lynn has suggested is likely correct: The main production batch of TBDs had Aluminum Lacquer interiors and the later production batch had Tinted Zinc Chromate interiors. What you're seeing in the Life photo isn't olive drab but a Douglas version of Tinted Zinc Chromate. It is very close to what I recall as the interior color of the SBD-1, BuNo 1612 at the NMNA in Pensacola. The SBD-1s were produced very close to if not concurrently with the later TBD-1s.

Douglas interior green tended to be a little darker and more drab than the mix used by Grumman and Vought. Interior green at this time was not required to meet any standard but was a combination of Zinc Chromate Yellow, black and aluminum powder or paste.

Bottom line is this: If you're doing a TBD from the initial batch do it in aluminum lacquer with blue-gray overspray if the a/c has a blue-gray over gray exterior. If you're doing a late batch TBD do it with a darkened version of FS 34151 Interior green. (Just add a little black). I wouldn't do any overspray if it's blue-gray over gray. Remember to make the appropriate mods for a late batch TBD.

William Reece

[Falcon50EX]

Oh No- Not Salmon again!!

Hey everybody,

After reading Williams excellent piece on US Navy Interiors, as well as discussions with Larry Webster, i went down to the train shop and picked up some Floquil SP Daylight Orange and Red. I'm making the assumption that Floquil and Pollyscale SP Daylight Oranges are similar.

So I sprayed it on. Is the salmon actually an orangey colour? Everybody elses interpretation is a much redder colour, like how salmon looks on the dinner table.

So did i get this right, or should i be using SP Daylight Red??

TIA,

david

[HistnScale]

David,

For what it's worth, I used the Floquil SP Daylight Orange and have to agree that initially it looks pretty orange. It does dark a little as it ages and once you get some washes on it it looks ok. To my eye, the red looks too dark. The Polyscale color seems to act about the same as far as the color aging and reacting to washes.

HTH,

Dave

[Falcon50EX]

Thanks, Dave!! i will stay on course.

dave

David,

For what it's worth, I used the Floquil SP Daylight Orange and have to agree that initially it looks pretty orange. It does dark a little as it ages and once you get some washes on it it looks ok. To my eye, the red looks too dark. The Polyscale color seems to act about the same as far as the color aging and reacting to washes.

HTH,

Dave

[catfan]

any ideas for the colors used on the Lockheed Ventura's . like the interior and the wheel bays?

[don f]

Here's an update from Dana Bell resulting from his on-going research for his F4U book. His update was posted to Hyperscale. The relevant text portion of the thread is posted below. Due to HS Plane Talking Forum's function, posts quickly become buried and are somewhat difficult to search for. The original thread, with pictures of the Lake Michigan recovered F4U-1, can be found here. Save the pictures as you wish, if not already done. The pics of the LM F4U-1 are linked to another site and availability is at the discretion of the owner. These pics can disappear.

Don

Finish for F4U-1 wheel wells

Corsair wheel wells - a small piece of the puzzle...

July 13 2013 at 9:10 PM Dana Bell (Login DanaBellColors)

HyperScale Forums from IP address 173.79.164.131

I working on the Corsair book right now and came across Chance Vought letter E-91618 dated 24 March 1943. The document explains the company's understanding of the new finish specs for the F4U-1, F4U-1C, F4U-1P, XF4U-2, XF4U-3, FG-1, and F3A-1 aircraft. (Note that mention of the F4U-1 at that time included the "F4U-1A.")

The finish specs were to include a number of detail changes, including:

- the use of Navy Spec SR-15d (which continued to call for Blue Gray over Light Gray camouflage)

- the addition of language that "...wheel wells shall receive top coat of light non-specular grey [sic])

- the substutution of rubber stamp notations for decals and the use of "Di-Noc" transfers (whatever they were) for wing and fuselage insignia

All this would soon change with the introduction of three-toned (four-toned) camouflage, but, by default, it seems to confirm the earlier acceptance of wheel wells WITHOUT a finish coat of Light Gray, and the possible beginning of such a practice in March 1943.

There's much more to research here, but with folks beginning their new Tamiya kits, I thought it better to get this info out now rather than later...

Cheers,

Dana

I still don't agree with your interpretation of this publication

July 14 2013 at 1:18 PM Gary Fairfull (Login G.Fairfull)

HyperScale Forums from IP address 72.253.219.94

Response to Corsair wheel wells - a small piece of the puzzle...

There is very little, if any, photographic evidence that the wheel-wells were left unpainted.

Had the publication stated the wheel-wells now required an exterior coat vice the previous procedure of leaving it in the primer, I'd see where you could have deciphered that change.

In others words, the technical order would now say, "the wheel-wells will no no longer be left in primer and an exterior coat will now be applied overtop."

I only see this as an amendment of a procedure that likely was already being carried out. Early aviation publications often lacked detail. Publications are often updated and expanded.

I use to paint Corsair wheel-wells in the interior green, as did many others. That is until I was at the very first Squadron Scalefest in Texas in the mid 90s. While there, I met a former Vought employee who painted Corsairs. He was borderline furious to see that an exterior coat was not being applied on the models at the show in the wells. He said for corrosion resistance reasons, a top exterior paint coat had to seal the primer.

I felt very fortunate to have met this man, as the Corsair is my favorite aircraft all-time. With my background in aviation, I understand the importance of corrosion control. Especially around salt water environments.

I agree salmon was used during the manufacturing process, but I do not trust it as being the final coat or procedure. The biggest reason is primer will hold moisture. Primer is also intended, not to protect the material under it, but to provide a surface for a top coat to adhere to. Which will protect that material from the elements.

No problem...

July 14 2013 at 3:37 PM Dana Bell (Login DanaBellColors)

HyperScale Forums from IP address 173.79.164.131

Response to I still don't agree with your interpretation of this publication

Hi Gary,

You may be right on this, but I don't know. I don't remember ever posting about Corsair wheel wells before, but for some time I've been watching the discussion here on HyperScale. It seemed there was evidence of wheel wells in two coats of primer only, and other evidence of the early wheel wells in the Light Gray camouflage lacquer. I never had any evidence to support either side until last night.

The original Navy-wide specs called for two coats of primer and one coat of finish. That early-war finish was originally aluminized lacquer, but the aluminum shortage caused the Navy to rethink that. Some photos suggest that a few early Corsairs used Dull Dark Green as an interior finish coat - the paint was certainly available, and Vought had done the same thing on SB2U-3s.

But the Navy also allowed manufacturers to apply the second, tinted coat of primer as a finish coat. There are many photos of other aircraft that did this, and it seems someone here found a recovered Corsair with Indian Red (aka "Salmon") wheel wells.

Right now, all I have is the March 1943 change - I haven't yet tracked down the original finish spec. Here's the exact language:

"2. The contractor has revised the subject specification in accordance with references (a) to (g) inclusive.

"3. The following are the detail changes incorporated:

"Specification revised throughout to include F4U-1, F4U-1C, F4U-1P, XF4U-2, XF4U-3 Airplanes.

....

"Section III....

"Paragraph 7.331 - Added that wheel wells shall receive top coat of light non-specular grey."

Since only changes are reported, some other top coat must have been applied before this date. Certainly, a third coat, a finish coat, makes more sense, but there are other examples of primer being considered enough by the Navy. It's only my guess is that Vought used tinted primer, but I could be wrong. I've still got 2,200 pages of raw material to sort through, and several weeks of research to go.

Cheers,

Dana