I’m about to build two KLM liners: a 737-400 (from a 1/144 Minicraft kit) and a 747-400 (1/144 Revell kit) both in the previous livery, not the most current one, ie pre-2002. Since these are custom projects using liveries other than that provided with the kit, I need a little help IDing the exact color of a KLM tail for this time period (90’s to early 00s). It is difficult to tell from Airliners.net photos if the vert. stab is white or a light shade of grey. I’ve been studying this for nearly a half hour and just can’t decide. The 737 shots seem to indicate a light shade of grey similar to the underside of the fuse, but the 747s look more like a faded white, much brighter than the under-fuselage grey. Can anyone who has done a KLM livery help a brother out here? White or grey?
Was going thru some old issues of my Airways Nagazine and postcard collection and found numerous color shots in the magazine year 2000 issue and back to 1998 and a few postcards that show the 747 in the time period your looking for to have a white. tail. Have not located any 737 pics yet. Will reply to you if I can dig some up.
Located a color photo of a KLM 737 in the 2001 Issue of Airways Magazine tthat I have which used to be called Airliners before the name change and it shows deffinately a white stabilizer. I have all the issues back to 1991 that I will check out. But I think you would be safe with White stabilizer for both the 747 and 737.
Thanks for the heads-up.
DeltaHeavy, , If your really into airline modelling ,if you have not done so already, pick up an issue of Airways Magazine at your locla bookstore, HS or or go online and get a years subscription. A great magazine for airliner modelers.Although it is not a modeling magazine. Great articles and a ton of great color photos on airliners from all over the world. I have issues from 1991 to present and when the bug comes up to do an airliner thats my first stop for reference. Go to www.airwaysmag.com Also I have done business with Airline Hobby Supply out of Arizona. Great place and website for airliners.They also put out a nice magazine for airliner modelers. Try a subscription. Log on to airline-hobby.com Check it out. And last but not least, If I need a gray I use a color called Boeing Gray by Compucolor. I believe I purchased it from Hannants some time ago. Stocked up with plenty just in case. The only gray I use if the light gray is called for.gray is called for. I think it is a perfect match. Might be able to get it here in the U.S now if you can find a distributor. Another great color for the center sections on the wings and horizontal stabilizer section if it,s called for is Corroguard . It is the dark gray sort of metallic. Boeing Gray is also made by Xtracolor. Xtracolor Corroguard # X331 Xtracolor Boeing Gray # X363. Thats about it.
Thanks for the heads-up on the magazine and paint. I was already clued in on AHS, as they are my source for the decals for these projects, and I believe they may have been the source for the decals on the L1011 that’s my avatar. I’ll have to check out the mag, I’ve been in the habit of just doing my research on Airliners.net.