RAF P-51H internal colours

[JayBee]

OK I am looking for information on the colours used for the interior parts of the P-51H as supplied to the RAF.

The instructions for the RS Models kit indicate that it should be "Interior Yellow" ( I assume Zinc Chromate).

Air Force Legends No. 209, by David McLaren does not state what colour was used, however the photo on the cover suggests Zinc Chromate, but is a restored example seeing as the photo is dated 1991.

Photos in that publication, and on the internet, look like these areas were either natural aluminium or painted silver.

AFL 209 also has a page which states :
"This camouflage scheme is in accordance with D.T.D. – British Technical Circular # 360 except that Olive Drab has been substituted for Dark Green."
This would indicate that British (and thank all the Gods they did not say English) colours were to be used where possible.
So what would the interiors have been painted?

Does anyone out there know the answer?

[kitnut617]

As only one P-51H was delivered and tested by Boscombe Down, I'd say it would have been as any other USSAF P-51 interior colour Jim

http://www.wardrawings.be/WW2/Images/2-Airplanes/Allies/3-UK/01-Fighters/NA-P-51H-1/p1.jpg

[Dizzyfugu]

I'd assume that the fuselage interior surfaces were painted with green primer, while the interior of the landing gear covers and the struts remained aluminum.
For an aircrfat delivered and tested in the UK, there's also the question which colors were used for the camouflage? Has it been delivered in NMF, and then painted with RAF colors - or has it been prepared at the factory with an RAF scheme simulation in US colors (like many FAA aircraft)? I'd still assume that the interior would stick to US standards, though.

[NARSES2]

I would work on the basis that internal colours would have been as she left the factory Jim. In service the RAF may well have repainted the exterior but I don't know of any Lend Lease aircraft that had internals repainted. Someone will prove me wrong now as after the fit of British equipment it may have been necessary to paint some bits.

So cockpit some form of green (I've recently discovered the whole world of greens that were used after years of thinking it was standardised  ), undercarriage bays and gear covers painted Al or Zinc Chromate Yellow, other internals Zinc Chromate Yellow. That would be what I'd go with.

Chris

[PR19_Kit]

This is WhiffWorld Jim, you can paint any damn colour you like!

Even pink, like the Skean Dhu perhaps. 

[JayBee]

This is WhiffWorld Jim, you can paint any damn colour you like!

Even pink, like the Skean Dhu perhaps. 

Yes Kit I am fully aware of that aspect. However I do like to get as close to reality before I take the facts and skew them in another direction.
Chris's suggestion is right in line with what I was thinking.

[kitnut617]

Considering that the P-51H was being built about the same time as these two other North American products (F-82 & FJ-1), this photo would indicate what the colour was quite well don't you think ----

[NARSES2]

Umpteen different shades of the same colour or different colours ? Talk about confusing 

[kitnut617]

I think it's all yellow chromate Chris, the gist of the photo was to show that the P-51H would have been the same

[zenrat]

Good pic.   

What's that in the background - silver with orange wings?

[kitnut617]

T-6's (or Harvard's)

[JayBee]

Certainly T-6s but the great question is Who's as there are insignia on both wings. 

[NARSES2]

I think it's all yellow chromate Chris, the gist of the photo was to show that the P-51H would have been the same

That's what I thought mate it just shows the difference in shades of the same colour and what lighting can do as well.

[jcf]

T-6s are Brazilian, you can tell by the waxed wings. 

As to the zinc chromate primer, there was/is no colour standard,
it's 'yellow' because ZC is a naturally yellow compound. How it's
mixed and applied, plus number of coats can lead to a wide
variation in tone. Tinted or 'Green' ZC was added to finishing
specifications to ensure that two coats of primer were applied
where required.

[Captain Canada]

Great photo of those old birds being built ! I love seeing that stuff.