I have an old Jo-Han 1/72 kit with options to build either a Zeke or a Rufe (floatplane). I want to build the Rufe, but the painting guide lists the colors as Blue-Gray and Violet. The B/G I can handle, but what would be a good choice for the violet? I don’t care if it’s a Japanese, German or US color, I just need some suggestions to get me in the ballpark. Thanks.
I have never heard of that combo, Hoser. The only ones I’ve seen are IJN green topsides and IJN gray below, or overall IJN gray. This goes for both Zekes & Rufes. ( colors on Nakajima-built planes were SLIGHTLY different shades of the aforementioned colors.) Hope this helps !
MMMMM, I´m not sure, but I think the violet is a metallic blue green, (is the color for the interior, like the interior green or the chromate zinc).
what part is painted in that color (the violet)??? I hope this helps too
Jeremy
ps: sorry about my English
The color scheme calls for a blue-gray underside and a violet topside with a metallic blue interior. The interior color is right, but the rest sounds pretty funky to me. Was someone at Jo-Han on heavy medication? This is a pretty nice kit (good detail, recessed panel lines) so I want to do a good job and get the colors right, but my references for Japanese aircraft are limited. Thanks for the info!
Aplogies for this additional post. Another wierd thing is the box art depicts the Rufe w/ a green underside and a red topside - almost the color of red oxide primer.
Until I read your additional post, I was going to suggest that there was a translation error somewhere with the kit producer. Maybe the illustrator WAS overmedicated. If its an A6M2 / A6M2N kit, I would suggest the standard colors. Unless it was a special, one-of-a-kind bird, their color recommendations are suspect. What are the markings ? This is the standard green, w/ the gray on the canopy frames. The cockpit is the discontinued Aeromaster Mitsubishi cockpit green. This is an A6M3.
Some years ago this was a common misconception, probably started by someone seeing a badly weathered wreck of some very old color photos. There was a time when both Pactra and Humbrol made these colors.
The Rufe was manufactured by Nakajima. According to one of my references (IPMS Toronto), the topside green was Dark Green, FS14077, and the underside gray was Gray, FS26307 or FS16307. Although this reference states that each manufacturer had their own version of the standard Japanese aircraft colors, this gray appears too dark to me. I would use the standard IJN light gray that most of model paint manufacturers have, especially if I was going to build the early overall gray with blue-black cowl version. I don’t think that anyone would give me an argument. [;)]
As a sidelight to this, there is question about the shade of this standard light gray. It seems that most IJN aircraft received a final coat of clear varnish or lacquer to protect the color coat from the sea air. This coat yellowed very quickly and many claim that the light gray ended up having a light tan or brown cast to it. [:0]
Pete
Thanks for all the info everyone! Green / gray it is. When I first saw the color guide, I assumed the guy was from CA (the Haight-Ashbury district). [:D]
Thanks for the pic, Pix. It is an A6M2, standard red and red / white meatballs, tail # 0-105. There are additional markings for the Zeke flown by Petty Officer Saburo Sakai. (# V-103)
Interesting bit of info, SP. Might try to incorporate that. Was the varnish applied just to the gray or the entire plane?
I agree with your choice. It was very rare to see an all-IJN gray aircraft w/ white around the Hinomaru (“meatball”). In case you were wondering about my Zeke’s topside color, these were aircraft from a carrier (I forget which one - Zuikaku ?) and stationed to a land base (forgot where, too !). Ground crews smeared the green paint on with whatever they had available-brooms, mops, etc. That’s why the finish looks like that-it wasn’t a painting mistake. Glad you could get enough info to make a decision ! Good luck ! Pix.
Thanks again, Pix. Nice model, BTW! And you were also right about the mfg. designation. I re-checked the only reference I have for the Rufe (‘Axis Aircaft of World War II’) and it is an A6M2-N. It also says the center float doubled as an auxiliary fuel tank - maybe thats why “the type proved successful only away from Allied fighters.” Since total production was only 326, I thought this would be a good choice to model.
Also, I was wondering how to display the finished model; the book supplied that idea as well. The only pic (B & W) is of a Rufe being serviced on land. It is on what appears to be a ‘trailer’ (wheels at the rear, supports up front) that cradles the center float. (the rest of the plane is hanging in the breeze - must be a damn strong center pylon!!!) There is one dude in a dark-colored uniform (the pilot?) watching 3 mechanics (white jumpers) have at it. I think I have a diorama waiting to happen. [8D]
Here’s a couple of shots that might help you. This is the trolly that came w/ the Hasegawa 1/48 Rufe, and how the plane sits on it. Please excuse the condition of the Rufe - it was damaged (along w/ about 100 others) when I moved. Hope it helps ! Pix.
http://rongeorge.com/albums/reference/Rufe.jpg[/img]
![http://rongeorge.com/albums/reference/Rufe.jpg[/img]](http://rongeorge.com/albums/reference/Rufe.jpg%5B/img%5D){kind=link}
Thanks, Pix, but my server is hosed. Can’t connect. I’ll try again later. Looking forward to checking those out. Damn, I love this site!!! Wet, sloppy kiss for all of you’se!! (No, not gay - wife would be real disappointed) [:D]
I’ve been having problems up & downloading pics tonight. Maybe someone’s working on the gallery, or needs to. Better luck tomorrow, right ?
You know, Pix. We need to get a chat room going. Any takers? Hammer the suggestion box. Let’s Do It!!!
Patience, gentlemen! I believe one is in the works.
Waiting for a response from me in a chat room would be maddening. The Fairey Swordfish flew faster than I type ! ! !
Hoser - the Rufe is painted in those slightly different Nakajima colors. The cowl, bombs, & trolly are the blue-black.
You can also ask at www.j-aircraft.com Regards ! Aleksander