Color of R-4B rotor blades?

Modeling Subjects Helicopters
1

I’m building Special Hobby’s Sikorsky R-4B. The directions on the paint schemes call for the bottom side of the rotor blades to be the same color a the bottom of the helicopter (either Aircraft Grey or Medium Grey). The instructions call for the the tops of the blades to be painted the primary color of the helicopter (either Intermediate Blue or OD). I always thought propellers were painted black. Can anyone confirm if the instructions are correct or I am correct about them always being black?

2

Based on color pictures of restorations and black and white pictures and the painting guidance of the time (think of helicopter blades as wings instead of propellors), the kit directions sound right. According to Elliott, author of a four volume series on US Navy aircraft colors, it wasn’t until May 1948 that helicopter blade color was specified, and then it was glossy Sea Blue, which was also the color for the airframe.

3

[:o)]I have a photo of one in flight , the color appears to be Clear… Maybe a semi gloss clear but most definitely clear…
Serious ly though I agree with tailspinturtle’s post…

4

Which scheme are you going to do?? You didn’t specify…

5

As pictured in my signiature. But the props look black in that pic, thus why my confusion grew. I’m going with the Aircraft Grey belly (and bottoms of props) and Intermediate Blue body (and tops of props). It’s a Coast Guard version of the R-4B circa 1943.

Thanks all for the 411.

6

Actually, I would suggest that you use the blue on both surfaces of the blades. The Navy didn’t go into over/under colors until the 1950’s, so it might appear incorrect for the period. I know the R-4 that is preserved at Fort Rucker (the Army Aviation museum) has single-color blades, and I suspect the Navy birds would have been the same.

7

Well, I’m doing the Coast Guard version, so who knows, heh? Maybe an old salty-dog who was really good at telling people to turn around will truly know. [:D]

I’m gonna go two-tone!

8

Guys
you might want to check out this month’s Scale Aircraft Modeler.
it has 3 view drawings of the R4,R5 and R6