1960's RAF Jet Fighter Colours? Help please.

Flitzer · December 17, 2008, 12:34:31 AM

Hi all.
I need a little help please.

Re: colours for 1950/60's RAF jet fighters?
Well late 50's design/prototype,
in service early 60's - 1963 to be precise.

What colours would be used for undercarriage legs, and inside wheel wells, wheel centres, inner sides of doors and flaps etc?
Basically anything that might be seen with undercarriage down.

Many thanks for any help I can scrounge.
Peter

deathjester · December 17, 2008, 01:08:41 AM

I think your best bet is to paint the wheel centres and bays pure White. They very often do that so can easily see any hydraulic leaks - crucial in an untested prototype!

NARSES2 · December 17, 2008, 02:13:19 AM

I would have thought either the same colour as the underside or a painted silver finish for the wheel bays and door inners, although might have been a varnished natural metal - not sure about flaps etc.

Mossie · December 17, 2008, 03:04:43 AM

I'd say predominantly aluminium/natural metal on the inner surfaces. RN aircraft especially have a coating applied that takes the metallic shine from them & makes the inner surfaces appear more grey (might even have been a grey paint, but different shades can be seen which suggests NMF). TSR.2 wore white on the inner surfaces, but then it was white allover & is a special case, but this was probably an emerging trend.

There's plenty of walkaround pics available on British jets of this period from Thunder & Lightnings:
http://www.thunder-and-lightnings.co.uk/contents.php

Flitzer · December 17, 2008, 03:08:07 AM

Boy that was quick.
Many many thanks to you both....and Mossie... slipped under the radar, while I was typing this reply.

I found an English Electric Lightning walk-around thing.
I happily can say you were right...each of you.

Wheel wells and inner udercarriage doors are very light grey/white (or grimed white)
This probably accounts for Mossie's special coating/shades of grey

Undercarriage legs and wheels are very dull/satin aluminium.
With some inner holes/wells/inner flaps also silver/aluminium.

I think I have enough for what I intend using the info for.

Many many thanks to you all.
Appreciate it very much.
Peter

NARSES2 · December 17, 2008, 03:23:36 AM

Quote from: The Wooksta! on December 17, 2008, 03:20:17 AM
Some of the Lightning F2As serving in Germany in the 1970s had a special coating that appeared to look like gold which is rather more unusual.

I've seen that as well Lee, it's a similar laquer as was used on the inside of some baked bean cans, seriously I do not jest and gives that gold tint - it does look good

Mossie · December 17, 2008, 04:09:00 AM

Yeah, I've got some pics in a book, I'll try & scan them tonight. Definately unusual & gives the Lightning a 'flashy' look.

Thorvic · December 17, 2008, 01:11:18 PM

"TSR.2 wore white on the inner surfaces, but then it was white allover & is a special case, but this was probably an emerging trend."

Wanna bet !!!!

The interior of the TSR2 bays is Light Admirality Grey and the cockpit is Dark Admirality Grey (ref TSRJOE).
It can actually be seen when having a close look round at Cosford as the bays and legs as we have been able to do so over the years

G

Mossie · December 18, 2008, 12:18:18 PM

No! Definately not with you & Joe anyway!

Just always looked white to my eyes, it's such a pale grey it's hard to tell from photos.

Here's the gold undercarriage on a 92 Sqn Lightning F.2A. The aircraft is the CO's XN793 'A', also known as 'King Cobra'. As far as I know, it's very unusual & only a handful of Lightnings received this 'gold' undercarriage, possibly only XN793.