B-17 Landing Flaps

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1

Does anyone know of any good references that would suggest what color the flaps on Fortresses were?

I’m back into the hobby after a long hiatus and am in the research stage right now of a B-17 build that I came up with years ago. I know the easiest way to open a can of worms when talking about B-17s is what the interior colors are but one topic I haven’t seen is flaps. Im finding very few photos out there of lowered flaps and even fewer where I could guess a color. The particular plane I plan to build is a camoflaged B-17G-25-DL. Right now my educated guess is bare metal for both the flap bay and flap itself. But would some sort of zinc chromate primer be appropriate as I’m guessing the spars and framing of the wings may have been primed?

2

Looks to be painted… but whether it is zinc chromate or Neutral Gray or something else…

3

Paint colors varied depending on when the plane was built and which factory built the airplane. Go here for some ideas:

http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/magazine/2004/01/stuff_eng_interior_colours_us.htm

http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/magazine/2004/02/stuff_eng_interior_colours_us_part2.htm

4

After some more searching I’ve come to that conclusion as well. I think I’m leaning towards neutral gray.

5

Found this photo which definitely suggests paint

6

What plant did this aircraft you are building get built at. This will really help you research probabilities. My bet would be the interior of the wing including interior of the flaps to be zincchromate.

7

I would say, Being as how you are talking about the wing interior in those areas that you should go Zinc Chromate green! T.B.