Japanese A/C Props?

It will depend on the branch of service and the time period you are modeling. Early war aircraft could have polished metal blade faces, with the rear sides in a flat brown, green or black. Later, the front faces were also a reddish-brown, black-green or black as well. The time period will also dictate the configuration and color of the warning stripe. If you can get hold of Donald Thorpe's books on Naval and Army camouflage, they have excellent coverage of propellers

Tamiya kits list most, though not all, Japanese props as Hull Red. Danged if I can remember the Tamiya number for that color, though. I built the 1/48 Seiran (I think I spelled that correctly), and it's prop was to be painted Hull Red. The Betty's and other bombers are also Hull Red, I believe. But, Ashley gave you great advice: when in doubt, research it!!

I'm doing Tamiya kits and they say 'brown', but it looks like a dark reddish brown. I'll try that becuase it's a pain to do different colors front and back. Tahnks for the info; I knew I could count on my fellow modelers.

The prop and spinner on the Zero in the Air and Space Museum in Washington DC are very definitely dark red-brown.

Is that on both sides? Some info shows front silver w/back yellow or red brown or all silver or all red brown? Must be modeler's choice again!

didfal, again you gotta check references on the particular airplane you are modeling. Tell me what it is and I can do some research for you, as I have a lot of material on Japanese stuff, especially the Zero. In any case, the back of the blades will be in some flat dark color to reduce glare. The fronts of the blades will depend on whether you want to be seen or not. So, in the beginning of the war when the Japanese were dominant, the flash from a polished prop was no big deal. Later on, when it became prudent to be somewhat less conspicuous, the dark paint reduced reflections. Plus, unless you continually polish on a bare propeller, it quickly corrodes, and paint slows that process down.

As noted, Japanese AC in WWII had props in bare-metal (fronts, the backs were painted), a dark red brown and dark green (mostly on IJAAF AC). For the dark red brown, I usually use Floquil "Box Car Red ", a model railroad color. Iv'e also used Model Master Italian Red Brown which is pretty close to the Floquil.

Rick

where is Jhulk when you need him?, he's got the most info for the WWII Japanese A/C I ever came accrossed, and if we could just ask him he'll give you a straight answer

This is the most comprehensive website for WW II Japanese aircraft I have found. Here you will find most, if not all, answers to your questions. Its a great site, covering both IJN & IJA, hundreds (thousands ?) of walkaround pics.
Hope this helps.
http://j-aircraft.com/index.htm