"Best" insignia red?

General Discussion General Modeling Discussion
1

Hi guys!

I’m working on the Monogram F-82 Twin Mustang kit and it specifies “Insignia Red” (FS 11136) for the outer wing panels and tail section. I’ve never built a kit with the red Arctic markings before but I know that there are various opinions on the various shades used.

I’m modeling an F-82 that was stationed at Ladd AFB in Alaska. Would the Insignia Red be the best color or is there something better out there I should be using?

Thanks!

Eric

2

It depends on the date. Arctic red markings changed at least three times, starting with Insignia Red. Orange markings were added on some aircraft in the late 1950’s, and eventually replaced the red by 1970. Those markings were initiasally oranges, later being fluorescent. But I’d suggest in your case “Insignia Red”.

3

Thanks G! Upon checking the instructions, it says the F-82 I’ll be replicating was from 1953. Since that’s more towards the early half of the '50s, I guess I’ll stick with the insignia red.

Eric

4

As per Dana Bell, the early USAF Arctic Red is regular insignia Red until the late '50’s when it changed to the flluorescent Orange. The early USAAC/AAF Arctic Red was an orangier red as denoted by the USAF Museum’s O-38F which belonged to the Cold Weather Test Detachment at Ladd Field. Eric, are you doing FQ-377 which was the very last F-82 used when it was scrapped at Elmendorf AFB in November 1953. I haven’t found any color photos of FQ-377 which show what the spinner color was, red or a blue kind of like USAF Strata Blue.

5

I got mine from Ultracolor,looked good.

6

Nice project, Eric. Way back when I built that kit and went to all kinds of trouble to set it up in the SAC scheme. Blue stripes and tails, stars, etc.

And of course, right when I finished it a decal set came out.

But it’s a great little model. The Squadron “In Action” book has a good chapter on it.

7

In my old flying days I have spent a weekend in Iceland where I seen the F-102’s in metal finish with a light guards red style of finish On their tails.Testors Guards red.Atually red w/ a few drops of white.

8

Is it this bird?

9

True North paints have a really nice selection of this category of paints

https://www.truenorthpaints.com/

I used their International Orange - FS 12197 on my T-28