American Chase planes and experimental prototypes

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone had any good sources on color schemes and variants utilized for mid century test flights (NACA and NASA).

I’ve got the balls eight “mothership” and X-15 on my shelf so I am trying to bone up my skills on some smaller subjects before taking on the B-52. I was planning to go with the bright orange color scheme as seen on the early flight tests with B-52A “003” but this color is hard to nail down given the age and quality variation of photo documentation.

I am currently building an F-100D model which I plan to paint in the NASA chase plane scheme (it appears to be the same color as “003”). Until I discover differently, I am going with Model Master’s Fluorescent Red-Orange as it seems to be closest by visual. International orange is a little too dull (X-1) and the FL Red is a little too … well, Red. Suggested references, photos or curses are welcomed.

Thanks all.

2

This might be pretty close:

http://www.art-paints.com/Paints/Enamel/Floquil/Reefer-Orange/Reefer-Orange.html

3

One neat thing about learning more about NACA and NASA is that there are a number of histories of various NASA centers and organizations, that were published by the government. And all but the latest are available in PDF online!

4

Search for ‘Dryden Test Center’, and you’ll hit a jackpot. Here’s their historical project page:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/dryden/history/pastprojects/index.html#.VCHlYhawQrG

Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas