P39 query

I have Bert Kizney's Detail and Scale book on the P-39. No photos of the rear side of the instrument panel but I am pretty sure that area is not actually visible, excepting field modifications.

Wheel wells were painted prior to leaving the factory. They were painted "Bell green", which is definitely not green zinc chromate. It is closer to interior green I think. Of course, this is just a general statement. I have nothing on RAAF P-39s, but I suppose it is possible the Australians would have repainted everything to their own specifications.

They wouldn't most likely have been repainted as they were USAAF hand-me-downs.  Bell green is darker than interior green.

When I did mine...I just used some styrene rod/stretched sprue for the "instruments" on the back of the panel, along with some fine wire. More of a "suggestion" than accurate.

For the "Bell green", I mixed MM "Medium green" with a little bit of OD and chromate yellow. The "Medium green" was much more dominant than the others.

Many thanks to those who offered assistance. I was certainly considering the "impressionist" approach, so that's what I'll probably go with. Never heard of "Bell Green" before, so that was most useful.

The X-1 at Smithsonian, also a Bell aircraft, has its cockpit in "Bell Green". According to the folks there, that color matches the FS color chip for CARC/NATO Green FS 34094

Oh really?? I'm going to write that down. :) good to know! Thanks, stik!

M. Brindos

Oh really?? I'm going to write that down. :) good to know! Thanks, stik!

 

Youre welcome. I turned up that tidbit while doing some research for my X-1 kit... if I ever get around to it anytime soon.

Thanks for that Stikpusher.

I've now realised what a minefield RAAF Airacobras is. No two sources can agree what colour any particular aircraft was painted, and the available photo's are not much help. What I wouldn't give for just ONE colour photo of one!!!

Were the RAAF 'cobras taken from an RAF order? ( I was unaware of the RAAF having any Airacobras) If so, they would have been painted in the DuPont colors equivelant to RAF colors like P-40s were. The colors were not exact matches, but were a Dark Green, Sandish Brown Earth, and here comes the fun part, either a sky gray or sky blue depending upon your research source.

ChrisJH666

I've now realised what a minefield RAAF Airacobras is. No two sources can agree what colour any particular aircraft was painted, and the available photo's are not much help. What I wouldn't give for just ONE colour photo of one!!!

 

Hi,

On the plus side, since there do not appear to be any definitive sources, at least nobody can tell you that whatever you end up doing is "definitely wrong" 

What he said. ^

Here you go after 1 minute Googling:http://www.adf-serials.com.au/research/Airacobra.pdf

https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/blog/p-39-airacobras-defence-australia

https://www.airforce.gov.au/raafmuseum/research/aircraft/series2/A53.htm

http://www.adf-serials.com.au/2a53.htm

https://acesflyinghigh.wordpress.com/2014/02/12/aussie-p-39-airacobra-emergency-defender/

There is also a book available:

http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/23452966?q&versionId=28396880

http://www.network54.com/Forum/219149/thread/1227543063/1/Color+info+request+re-+thisP-39

Thanks for that richs26. I already had all those references except the last one, but that last one had some very interesting information I had not seen before, which, whilst not exactly clearing up the issue, certainly was helpful. Still wish I could find just one colour shot of one! May eventually have to go with my best guess, which, once it is finished, will be the point that someone comes up with a definitive answer proving me wrong!!!