WWII B-17 Paint Question
Fri Apr 06, 2007 10:16 pm
What was the color 909 and Out House Mouse wore during WWII. I know it was Olive Drab but what shade/ #? Any info would be appreciated!
Fri Apr 06, 2007 10:24 pm
Here is my understanding. They were painted O.D. over gray. Over time the O.D. faded to the lighter color that we se on "909" today. Also in my opinion, there was never a real standard in the field for colors, due to how much the mech. would thin out the paint. In the factory sure, but once in the field who knows.
Sat Apr 07, 2007 6:51 am
The were painted a color called Dark Olive Drab 41. This was before the federal standard color system used today, but a decent match is FS-34088.
As mentioned, B-17s (like all military aircraft) faded badly and unevenly. Even when they left the factory, they weren't a single color..the outer wings and vertical fins were pre-painted by subcontractors, and were usually a little darker than the rest of the plane. Fabric-covered control surfaces also tended to be slightly different, and faded more quickly. Of course, B-17s were being built at three different plants, all of which probably got their paint from different suppliers. With the massive numbers of planes cranked out in WWII, it's amazing they were able to keep the to color standards as well as they did.
As for Nine-O-Nine, these color photos of the original show appearing almost tan. B-17s often faded to about the color of peanut butter in service. The check-gun fairing is noticably darker, probably because it was intalled and painted at a modification center.
Cheers!
Steve
As mentioned, B-17s (like all military aircraft) faded badly and unevenly. Even when they left the factory, they weren't a single color..the outer wings and vertical fins were pre-painted by subcontractors, and were usually a little darker than the rest of the plane. Fabric-covered control surfaces also tended to be slightly different, and faded more quickly. Of course, B-17s were being built at three different plants, all of which probably got their paint from different suppliers. With the massive numbers of planes cranked out in WWII, it's amazing they were able to keep the to color standards as well as they did.
As for Nine-O-Nine, these color photos of the original show appearing almost tan. B-17s often faded to about the color of peanut butter in service. The check-gun fairing is noticably darker, probably because it was intalled and painted at a modification center.
Cheers!
Steve
Last edited by Steve Nelson on Sat Apr 07, 2007 11:42 am, edited 1 time in total.
Sat Apr 07, 2007 10:58 am
wasnt there a thread a while ago debating the authenticity of the tinted glass used in the turret of aluminum overcast? these pics seem to show tinted glass in the cheek windows. or is it just my saturday morning eyes? sim. 
Sat Apr 07, 2007 11:33 am
I don't think it's tinted..the plane is just dark inside. The nose interior was ususally paintedd Dull Dark Green, and B-17s came with dark green insulation (although it was often removed to reduce the risk of fire and make maintenance easier.)
I don't think I've ever seen a period photo of a WWII aircraft with tinted windows, although some of the bulletproof glass used in windshields did have a slight greenish cast. I would think anything that would impair visibility would be frowned upon.
SN
I don't think I've ever seen a period photo of a WWII aircraft with tinted windows, although some of the bulletproof glass used in windshields did have a slight greenish cast. I would think anything that would impair visibility would be frowned upon.
SN