I’m in the process of researching this aircraft (F9F-5 Blue Tail Fly) for a 1/48th scale build. So far I know that the aft section is Gloss Non-specular Sea Blue. The problem is the forward section of the aircraft. All I have found so far is that the forward section was painted with an anti-corrosion material. I have not found any referrence that tells me if the coating was silver or aluminium in color, or a clear coat over the aircraft aluminum. The landing gear wells would be the next question. The dark blue aircraft had the wells painted the same color blue as the aircraft skin. Were the gear wells clear coated or painted silver on the anti-corrosion coated aircraft? Lastly, I know that aircraft of this vintage had a cockpit painted “interior green”, or a dark cromate green color. At about the time the Korean War ended the cockpits were being painted gray. Anyone know what the cut off date is for the green cockpits on the F9F-5’s? I have decals on order and I hope that the information about paint is included, but that may not be the case. Further, the information provided may not be accurate. I would rather rely on the knowledge of the forum members. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
Gloss and non-specular are opposites, but I’m pretty sure you want Gloss Sea Blue on Blue Tail Fly’s tail. As for the silver, the anti-corrosion coating would be like the wing leading edges, silver. But, my first thought would be that the airpalnes were natural metal like the FJ-2 or 3 Furies. Maybe someone else here might have a more definitive answer for that.
Wheel wells on Panthers were interior green, the insides of the doors were blue on the overall blue jets.
The forward section of Blue Tail Fly would have been clear coated over the bare aluminum. That was the experiment, how the clear coat worked at corrosion control vs. paint.
The transition from green and black cockpits to gray cockpits coincided with the change from overall GSB to gull gray and white on the exterior of the airplanes, IIRC.
Thanks guys.
I have found two independent sources that state clearly that the whole aircraft was coated with an expermental “anti-corrosion” coating. This was done to some photo recon F9Fs as well. The fact that it was a paint like coating, as opposed to something like a coat of wax, is what I needed to know. Would the Korean war Panthers have an interior green cockpit or a black cockpit? Lastly, the nose on the “Blue Tail Fly” looks like it is a light tan color on one color photo I have found of this aircraft. Do either of you know if the Panther had a nose made of material other than aluminium? Was the nose fiberglass or some sort of plastic?
This is going to be a fun build … Gloss paint, and a Natural Metal Finish.
I know the Navy has used a clear coat on the leading edges for many years and it turns a yellowish/brown with age. I am not sure if it is intended to prevent corrosion or FOD damage.
Thank both of you for your help.
Blue Tail Fly was a F9F-5 that suffered damage to the nose section on landing. Another aircraft had the main fuselage damaged by fire so they took the nose and grafted it to the fuselage of Blue Tail Fly. The nose was painted in a silver lacquer, the same as later AF jets. The silver section had a dull finish to it. The rest of the aircraft was left painted in the standard blue. That is why it was given its name.
To add to what Berny has added;
The “Blue Tail Fly” is an F9F-5 that was the mateing of the rear fuselage and epenage from a gloss sea blue F9F-5 to a NMF forward section F9F-5. The rear section is the section that would be removed, say, when an enginge change was necessary. The aircraft flew a dozen or so (I think the number was 18 but I cannot recall at the moment (senior moment), more combat missions in that color scheme (if you can call it that). It was sent back to the U.S. to be rebuilt. I like unusual paint schemes as well as early jets, so the Blue Tail Fly is a natural for me. A little bird told me I am getting a digital camera for X-mas so pictures will be forthcoming. The kit is a Revell 1/48th F9F-5 that is still in production. The Trumpeter F9F-2 is next in Blue Angles colors. Ug, another high gloss paint job. Thanks all.