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Space Shuttle Colors?

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  • Member since
    April 2007
Posted by fishmanz on Thursday, March 24, 2011 9:18 PM

I kind of figured that the nose was tiled but wasn't sure if that would change the overall color.  I will have to try some different colors to see if I can replicate it to make it appear the way I see it in the photos.

Thanks

 

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: Sydney, Australia
Posted by Phil_H on Thursday, March 24, 2011 8:26 PM

What you are seeing is a difference in reflectance beween areas which were "tiled" and areas which were not. The nose was tiled up to approximately the line of the cargo bay doors. This can be seen in this pic. http://images.jsc.nasa.gov/lores/S77-28210.jpg

I am of the opinion that the tiled areas were less "glossy" than the non-tiled areas.

Much of the fuselage aft of the cargo bay door line was smooth (untiled). If I recall correctly, portions of the OMS pods were tiled and other parts were not. There are sections of the upper wing surfaces which were tiled (and other sections untiled.

Not too sure what the best colours are to replicate the differences, but you may also consider using gloss/semi/gloss/flat whites to represent the differences.

The aerodynamic tail fairing shown in the post above is white.

(PS: Mike, the NASA T-38's are white with blue trim)

  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: New Zealand
Posted by Scorpiomikey on Thursday, March 24, 2011 7:45 PM

The shuttle was all over white. Looking at the photo below i think its the photo that makes it look tan. The tail cone appears to be more of a grey judging by the F-5's (F-20's?) and the NMF 747. If you look at the white down the side of the 747 its also got a slight tan sheen, but it is white.

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  • Member since
    April 2007
Space Shuttle Colors?
Posted by fishmanz on Thursday, March 24, 2011 7:16 PM

Hi All,

  I am doing a model on the Space Shuttle Enterprise depicting the first glide test.  I have found numerous pictures on the internet and in books of that first test flight.  The problem I am running into is that the Shuttle looks like it is two different shades of white.  The tail cone and the front cockpit section looks to be gloss white while the mid part cargo hold/wings etc looks to be an off white.  Almost a very very light tan or bage.  Does anyone know what colors would be a close match to what I am talking about?

Any ideas would be great!

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