P6M SeaMaster upper color?

[Dizzyfugu]

Dear all,

a very special question, and maybe someone knows: what's the upper color on the P6M Seamasters with the non-all-blue paint scheme? I'd assume it's an FS tone, but does not really look like the typical Insignia Blue, even matt? Could it be Engine Grey, FS 36076 (also used on USN target tugs)?





Thanks a lot in advance!

[PR19_Kit]

It looks to me like Dark Compass Grey FS 26320 or Medium Grey FS 26270. The Stockholm IPMS charts quote those two colours but their colour swatches are identical, both being RGB 120 127 133 for some odd reason.

It's definitely not a blue as the later Marlins were painted in a similar scheme and that's mentioned as being 'Grey and white'.

Needless to say the Seamaster 'Bible', the Piet and Raithel book, doesn't mention the exact colours anywhere. 

[sandiego89]

I've struggled with identifying this color as well.  Some photographs show the P6M-2 show it almost extra dark sea gray, some more bluish.  I think weathering and lighting play a large role, as the age and processes with some of the original color slides.  I went with a non-scientific mix of @ 40% Polly F505264 Br. Extra Dark Sea Gray, and 60% Polly 505092 US Sea Blue A/N607 for my recent P6M-2.  (1/426 scale).  Still not entirely happy with it. It came out a little more gray than the standard Navy blue as the Convair SeaDart hanging on the crane, but think I should have gone with even more gray.  26270 may be a good candidate if it is indeed gray, but I think a little blue should be in the mix.   

I sent an email off the Martin Aviation Museum to see if they have any record of the federal standard color. They were able to save some files from the dumpsters. I know Piet and Raithel have ties there as well.  Will let you know if I get a reply.   

[Thorvic]

Seaplane Grey :-

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/49692-us-seaplane-gray-and-engine-gray/

Some discussion here on it.

[PR19_Kit]

There's some chance for confusion here depending on the version of Seamaster being referenced.

The prototype XP6M-1 was painted extra dark blue all over, even the undersides. The second XP6M-1 was painted a dark blue-grey with white undersides and with a straight demarcation between the two colours. Ship #1 seems to have been in a gloss finish and #2 in semi-gloss, gleaned from the reflections in photos.

The six YP6M-1 development aircraft were also painted in a grey and white scheme but with a wavy demarcation line, and the grey also seems to have been a semi-gloss too.

The production P6M-2s were also in a grey and white scheme with wavy demarcations but seemed to be more matt than the YP6M-1s, although this may be because most of the photos of the production machines were taken after the cancellation and they'd been parked outside for some time before the scrapping started.

[sandiego89]

I got an email from a VERY reliable authority on the subject:

"The P6M standard top color was Dark Seaplane Gray which the best equivalent is FS-16081.  Testors sells it as Navy Gloss Gray, their product # 1791.  Extracolor X-129 is close.  Also Euro I Gunship Gray is close as 36118 but a tad lighter.  The P6M exterior finish appeared to be a semi-gloss so consider that in your final finish."

He has compared a real surviving access panel from a YP6M-1 and it came pretty close to 16081.   

So perhaps go with the testors #1791 and then go with with a semi-gloss overcoat.  Guess I need to re-do my birds. 

[sandiego89]

I got an email from a VERY reliable authority on the subject:

"The P6M standard top color was Dark Seaplane Gray which the best equivalent is FS-16081.  Testors sells it as Navy Gloss Gray, their product # 1791.  Extracolor X-129 is close.  Also Euro I Gunship Gray is close as 36118 but a tad lighter.  The P6M exterior finish appeared to be a semi-gloss so consider that in your final finish."

He has compared a real surviving access panel from a YP6M-1 and it came pretty close to 16081.   

So perhaps go with the testors #1791 and then go with with a semi-gloss overcoat.  Guess I need to re-do my birds. 

I got a little more from Stan Piet on this when I did a followup asking if the P6M-2 had the same paint as the YP6M-1:

Hi Dave,

Yes, all the P6Ms from XP Prototype #2 on used the standard Naval seaplane scheme of Semi-gloss Seaplane Gray over insignia white.  The change was carried out with Mil-C18263 (Aer) of February, 23, 1955.  It was also referred to as the Special Patrol Plane Scheme as it had to be authorized by BuAer for individual aircraft as desired. Nice shot of the Currituck-good luck with the re-spray.  You can feel free to use my contact info in reference to your request.  Stan."

So think we have the answer!

[PR19_Kit]

All we have to do now is to figure which manufacturer makes the best FS16081 paint........

[Dizzyfugu]

Ah, wonderful information - many thanks to all of you!

Confirms my impression that the color I have been looking for is actually a Grey - FS 36081 is, as enamel, available e .g. from Humbrol as #32, it's the dark grey in the Europe One paint scheme, e .g. seen on Europe-based A-10As. I wonder if or how the Testors' FS 16081 tone differs from that, it looks more bluish, but I might use that one (for a sick future project...  ).

Under sun and detorioration, FS 36081 can take a bluish hue, and that explains the look on the photographs. It's plausible - and a good information for weathering.

Excellent, guys - many, many thanks for you quick and thorough help!