U-2B, 1/72, Academy kit

seasick

When did the USAF and USN stop using zinc chromate?

There is no one answer to that.  Different aircraft and individual models switched from yellow or green zinc chromate to white at various times.  Most of the changes were done at depot level when each airframe was disassembled for major maintenance and IRAN.

Pawel

...It's interesting to see the insides of the airbrakes in yellow - it's zinc chromate, isn't it?   Can you recommend any paint schemes for U-2s that were operating over Vietnam? I've also seen an interesting version with "Ram horn" antennae - do you know what the mission of that aircraft was?Paweł 

The U-2's, like many USAF aircraft, changed colors over time.  The original U-2's that flew operational missions over Europe and the USSR were natural metal, then they tried a couple different camo schemes and then settled on the semi-gloss Sea Blue, FS25042.  That is the color of the U-2's shot down over USSR, Cuba and the People's Republic of China.  The USAF started painting all U-2's flat black around 1964 so those flying over Viet Nam would be black.  Some of the real early missions might still be blue.  Of course, there are the odd examples of part black and part natural metal, the two tone gray, the all gloss gray, etc.

The landing gear wells, inner doors and air intakes were originally either natural metal or yellow zinc chromate.  Somewhere along the line, they switched to white so hydraulic leaks would be easier to detect. 

I am familiar with the Rams Horns, but I think their function is still classified.

When did the USAF and USN stop using zinc chromate?

Hello Darwin!

Your model is looking good! It's interesting to see the insides of the airbrakes in yellow - it's zinc chromate, isn't it?

Can you recommend any paint schemes for U-2s that were operating over Vietnam? I've also seen an interesting version with "Ram horn" antennae - do you know what the mission of that aircraft was?

Thanks for sharing, good luck with your builds and have a nice day

Paweł

You did a fantastic job on her!

Toshi