Hindenburg Color?

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

I recently managed to get an old AMT Hindenburg from eBay. Paid a few bucks to get it but have tried to win one 3 times before I was finally successful. I have wanted one even since I saw one my cousin had built many years ago.

I’m just washing the parts now and was thinking what color would the dirigible body go? It is presently gray styrene but I am thinking that it may have been a little more silver? Of course the AMT instructions are pretty poor for color reference.

Any thoughts?

RODC

2

Hi Rod,

If I recall correctly Hindenbutg was covered in aluminium doped fabric.

3

PBS broadcast an episode on the Hindenburg which described the dope used on the fabric cover as containing aluminum and iron oxide particles for reflecting heat- ( and described as similar to the mix used as the very flammable NASA shuttle rocket fuel ! )

http://www.shoppbs.org/product/index.jsp?productId=2511337

I would presume the overall color would be similar to that seen on aluminum aircraft fabric surfaces.

4

It was a silvery dope color, sort of a semi matte. Just like any other lighter than air ship of its time like the Graff Zeppelin or Shenadoah.

Here’ what it ended up looking like:

almost like rusted iron.

5

Thanks guys…general consensus appears to be aluminum and so aluminum it will be!

I’ll post some pics. Longest part of doing the kit is to be figuring out which paint (there’s only about a dozen or so pieces…).

Thanks much…

RODC

6

I remember this kit. It came out about 1977 I think. I built one and had it on dosplay at the hobbyshop outside the base, wouldn’t mind finding one again.

7

Mythbusters went after that one awhile back. The components of the fabric dope were similar to thermite, but not in the same proportions. It was a fun one to watch. But yes, the basic color was aluminum.

8

I bought one of the old AMT Hindenburg kits from Pilot Hobby in Chicago just before the shop closed.

The kit is crude by current standards and the engine pods / mounting struts should be replaced with more accurate representations but the kit can be made into a nice likeness.

Has anyone seen the current Revell Germany version parts or built up?

9

…a fiery orange–reddish color…

10

You will finds the dope used and the claptrap about it described here:

http://www.airships.net/hindenburg/disaster/myths

11

LMAO…that’s not funny…still LMAO though! Thanks Manstein, but I think I will stick with aluminum!

RODC

12

Manny’s posts are still the best value for the money around here.

rodc:

Madison Press books published a large format book ( 11.5 x 14 inch ) Inside the Hindenburg ISBN 0-316-12386-2 in 2000

containing some very nicely detailed drawings of the airship structure inside and outside that can be used to supplement period photos when adding detail to the kit.

antoni replied on Sun, Aug 1 2010 5:10 AM

You will finds the dope used and the claptrap about it described here:

http://www.airships.net/hindenburg/disaster/myths

Thanks, antoni, for posting the very interesting link as I don’t recall any reference in the video regarding chemical makeup of the dope other than the general comment stating a similarity to rocket fuel.

Too bad there aren’t enough kits for a Hindenburg Group Build- it might garner a Manny Award. [:P]