Pressure suit color question.

[swimmer25k]

I'm currently building an SR-71 and a TR-1. I like to display a pilot figure with my models in the display case and at contests. Plus Model has made some really nice figures for the SR-71, TR-1/late U-2 family, and the X-15.

Astronauts wore them, so I thought I'd give this forum a shot to help me out.

I'm trying to nail down the base color of the suit. Most of the colors in my paint barn do not contain orange, tan, or brown tints. Has anyone mixed a batch of this color or is there something that would work off the rack? Below is an attached photo.

Thanks,

Chris

Edited August 25, 2016 by swimmer25k

[Cool Hand]

Have you considered RAF Middlestone? Looks like a close color.

Here is the FS match for it: http://www.colorserver.net/showcolor.asp?fs=30266

[niart17]

The one in your pic looks pretty faded, to more of a brownish orange. The ones I've seen that are newer are more orange, not quite safety orange, but pretty close to it with a bit more red. I have a pic somewhere of the astronauts version of it I'll try to post up. Maybe try international orange. That's likely close if not the exact color.

Edited August 25, 2016 by niart17

[Jay Chladek]

The color orange used on the USAF suits (S-1030s for the SR-71, U-2R and the current S-1034 suits) is called "Old Gold" and it is a specific color for them that the Air Force picked. It is NOT a faded color as all the suits on display look like that. Perhaps there might be a little fading, but not much. BTW, the S-1030 suits were also used as Escape and Entry suits for the first four shuttle missions (STS-1 through 4). The current S-1034 suits use a flatter fabric covering than what the 1030s had as that looked a bit more satin in shade, which can affect the appearance of the color.

The NASA suits (S-1032 LES and S-1035 ACES) are International Orange in color.

As for a duplicate color for old gold, to my eye a Union Pacific armor yellow color shade would probably work, perhaps with a tiny amount of orange mixed in. Otherwise, I would start with a yellow shade and start the mix at about 2/3rds yellow to 1/3rd orange.

[swimmer25k]

Thanks for the great information.

Chris