Accurate grey color used on Pearl Harbor P-40?

There's a lot of info here:

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/p/68331/680696.aspx

If it's USAAF, I can't see a reason why it wouldn't have been painted with Neutral Grey.

As far as the olive drab goes, I'd just look on the color you choose for your base color as a starting point, because you'll probably want to fade it some, anyway.

I believe the color is ANA 603. That's not an FS color. There's a fair amount of opinion on line about good matches, which seem to mostly be about which manufacturer's "Neutral Gray" is closest. Closest to what ? one might ask.

Modern “Neutral Gray”  FS # 36270, is lighter than the WWII color of the same name. The current color AMC Gray, used on transports like the C-130 & C-17 is supposed to be a closer match.

Thanks to all for the info.  Stik, I had read somewhere (don't remember when or where) that the "Neutral Grey" used today is different than the shade used way back when.  Thank you for confirming the same thing I was thinking in that the modern version is lighter while the one used during WW2 was darker.

GMorrison, the ANA 603 looks pretty darned close to "Gunship Grey".  I think what I might do is mix up my own batch so that it's somewhere between Neutral Grey and Gunship Grey.  I'll just mix it 50/50.  Indecision is the key to flexibility!  LOL!

As for fading, I was going to keep the weathering to a minimum.  My thought was that the Pearl Harbor P-40s were probably kept in hangers more than they were left outside.  With it being peacetime, I can only imagine there was more time and resources to care for, and store, the aircraft.  I figured I'd add some oil streaks and some light foot traffic scuffing but that's about it.  I fear that if I try for anything more than that, I'll probably screw it up anyway.

Thanks again!!

Eric

echolmberg

As for fading, I was going to keep the weathering to a minimum.  My thought was that the Pearl Harbor P-40s were probably kept in hangers more than they were left outside.  With it being peacetime, I can only imagine there was more time and resources to care for, and store, the aircraft. 

Might take a look at Vallejo's  AV71051/N.43 and AV71016/ANA613, their Neutral Gray and OD respectively.  Available in a Model Air set for the China-Burma-India theater.  Runs $25, but HL carries it so, around $14 with coupon.  Also has the Curtis brown, green and gray as well.

Since that is early paint scheme, might be closer to what you need.

One has to remember that colors change as scale changes. The colors we use for scale kits tend to be correct, mostly, but appear darker to us as the scale is smaller than real life and the lighing conditions also play a factor. Real AC are usually photographed outside in harsh light conditions for photos, washing out the colors and making them lighter than they really are. With scale AC we can have more controlled lighting and the scale make the paint look to our eyes, darker. If you really want that super authentic look, you'll have to fade the colors to better represent how real AC look to our eyes. Personally, I find this tedious and not worth the effort. Many quality paint makers like Tamiya and Gunze, and others are pretty good with many of those colors we need. It's basically up to the builder just how far you want to go to get the "look" you want.

BK

lawdog114

I've always used Tamiya Neutral Grey (XF-53). It looks great to my eye.

 

Yes, Tamiya Neutral Gray is a great choice. Darker and closer to the WWII USAAF shade. Tamiya Olive Drab is a good choice for WWII era OD 41. 

echolmberg

Thanks to all for the info.  Stik, I had read somewhere (don't remember when or where) that the "Neutral Grey" used today is different than the shade used way back when.  Thank you for confirming the same thing I was thinking in that the modern version is lighter while the one used during WW2 was darker.

GMorrison, the ANA 603 looks pretty darned close to "Gunship Grey".  I think what I might do is mix up my own batch so that it's somewhere between Neutral Grey and Gunship Grey.  I'll just mix it 50/50.  Indecision is the key to flexibility!  LOL!

As for fading, I was going to keep the weathering to a minimum.  My thought was that the Pearl Harbor P-40s were probably kept in hangers more than they were left outside.  With it being peacetime, I can only imagine there was more time and resources to care for, and store, the aircraft.  I figured I'd add some oil streaks and some light foot traffic scuffing but that's about it.  I fear that if I try for anything more than that, I'll probably screw it up anyway.

Thanks again!!

Eric

 

The 87 P-40B's and 12 C's were at the most 9 and 8 months old, respectively so they were practically brand new with little wear except for POL spillage and leaks.  Very little chipping on the paint.  Most maintenance was done outside except for major time compliance issues which then needed hangar space.  Fading would be slight.

Not to mention that like the USN, the USAAF had just adopted official camouflage colors on warplanes in late summer/ fall of 1941 as the war clouds gathered for the US. While new delivered Pursuits from the factory came in OD41 over Neutral Gray 43, the older stuff out in overseas postings such as Hawaii and the Philippines was repainted at their bases shortly before the attack. The P-36 that Harry Brown flew from Haleiwa at the same time as Taylor and Welch flew their P-40s was in OD/NG. While the P-36 flown by Phil Rasmussen from Wheeler Field was still in NMF. 

Also keep in mind that the OD used by the USAAF is different than the OD used by the US Army and USMC. Tamiya makes an excellent rattlecan USAAF OD and Neutral Gray. 

Yes, Olive Drab 41, the AAF shade, was darker than OD #8, the Army Ground Forces shade. Tamiya’s Olive Drab, or Model Master Green Drab FS# 34086 are good choices for the color.