SEARCH FINESCALE.COM

Enter keywords or a search phrase below:

USN Yellow Wing Wildcat

2258 views
8 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Katy, TX
USN Yellow Wing Wildcat
Posted by Aggieman on Thursday, September 8, 2016 11:10 AM

Hi everyone,

I have embarked upon my next multi-build project, a group of Wildcats from different manufacters.  One will be finished out as a pre-war "yellow wing" US Navy bird belonging to VF-41 on the USS Ranger.  The painting instructions have the fuselage and lower wings painted aluminum.

Was this actually a paint coat of aluminum or was this just a natural metal (unpainted) surface?

So regarding painting, I have a few choices for the aluminum.  Model Master Metalizer aluminum, or I could go with a few of shades out of the Alclad II line, white aluminum, dark aluminum or dull aluminum.  Typically when I do an Alclad finish, I put down a coat of decanted Krylon gloss black first.  To this point I have only used dark gray Stynylrez as a primer coat.  If I go with Alclad, presuming that is a suitable paint for this build, is the Stynylrez a sufficient undercoat for the Alclad?  The Stynylrez is a water-based acrylic polyurethane.

On to the yellow, the instructions are calling it "Orange-Yellow".  I have been unable to find any paint bearing that name.  Of all the photos I have seen, I don't see any hint of orange in this paint.  Looks like straight yellow.  So if that is indeed the case, I have Tamiya flat yellow, Model Master Acrylic deep yellow and Model Master bright yellow.  I am thinking the bright yellow but if anyone thinks otherwise, please let me know.  And I suppose if there is some orange in this color, I could put down the yellow followed by a light coat of the Tamiya clear orange?  Probably want to do some test-bed painting on that.

  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by BlackSheepTwoOneFour on Thursday, September 8, 2016 11:53 AM

Did it specify the yellow along with an FS # ? With so many variations and shades of yellows out there, it can be anything. I know Model Master RAF Trainer Yellow is the same as Chrome Yellow (FS13538). However, there is a bit of orange tint in Trainer Yellow compared to Chrome Yellow. Hope this helps. Good luck.

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Naples, FL
Posted by tempestjohnny on Thursday, September 8, 2016 9:27 PM

I did a 72nd scale yellow wing years ago. I believe I used MM chrome yellow for the wings

 

  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Katy, TX
Posted by Aggieman on Thursday, September 8, 2016 10:14 PM

The painting instructions come with the Yellow Wings decal set I have for this kit, but there is no FS# indicated. Looks like I should make a trip to the LHS for some paint now that I have some suggestions. Thanks!

  • Member since
    January 2015
  • From: Katy, TX
Posted by Aggieman on Thursday, September 8, 2016 10:16 PM

That is what I am going for, although the tail on mine will be willow green. Do you recall what paint you used for the aluminum fuselage? Good looking Cat.

  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by BlackSheepTwoOneFour on Friday, September 9, 2016 8:13 AM

Yesterday, I came across some Gunze paints at a LHS. Gunze/Mr. Color carry yellow-orange you're looking for.

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Friday, September 9, 2016 9:32 AM

Those planes were painted with aluminum paint.  Saltwater corrosion was too severe to allow Navy to maintain bare metal areas.

 

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: Indiana, USA
Posted by Greg on Friday, September 9, 2016 9:54 AM

When I've wanted an orange-ish yellow on a couple planes, adding some red to the yellow a drop at a time and stirring to check color 'til it's right has worked well for me.

  • Member since
    November 2003
  • From: Naples, FL
Posted by tempestjohnny on Friday, September 9, 2016 9:01 PM

Aggieman

That is what I am going for, although the tail on mine will be willow green. Do you recall what paint you used for the aluminum fuselage? Good looking Cat.

 

I used straight MM aluminum. The fuselage was an aluminum paint not bare metal. 

 

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

SEARCH FORUMS
FREE NEWSLETTER
By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. View our Privacy Policy.