Seems like everytime I build a modern jet I ask what color the cockpit is. Post-war jets seem to be one color while more modern ones are another.
I’m tired of asking so I’ll ask this…hopefully for the last time.
Is there anywhere on the web that explains or gives cockpit colors for post WW2 jet fighters? Or, can anyone explain it? Or, is it different for each aircraft? I know about the IPMS site BTW.
My current aircraft is an A-10, but I’d still like to know if there is any system to it.
Let me also add another twist to this: wheel wells and access panels.
Modern US aircraft cockpit interiors are flat Dark Gull Grey (FS 3623). Landing gear, bays, and the interior of doors are floss Insignia White (FS 17875). Other parts of the aircraft are a varying shade of zinc chromate green (or yellow).
I don’t have any sites saved but if you Google for specific aircraft sites, or aircraft companies, and search the various aircraft picture sites, you will find interior shots of most Post WW2 jet aircraft.
Bones-coa;
The only WWII information I have is the Stockholms IPMS site, but for most US military A/C after 1960 is Flat Gray Cockpits (the reason for this was to lighten up the cockpit for the pilots to see the instruments better {also for ground crews to find FOD easier}and for the eye transition to become better from light to light instead of dark to light), with Flat Black side panels & instrument faces, wheel wells & gear struts are Gloss White (Except the A-10’s- in Euro Camo they where Gloss A/C Gray until 1992 then the struts are Gloss White), Cockpits from 1946 to 1960 where generally Interior Green FS 34151 with Black side panels & instrument panels, and the wheel wells where Silver, Red, INT Green, or overall A/C color (mostly the USN did this way)
Cuda, I’ve been bugging the heck out of Dice the last few weeks for A-10 info. If you’re out there Dice, by all means, chime in. Otherwise I’ll give him a break.
What colors would a DS era cockpit been painted? From your description, the wells are Aircraft Grey. I was planning to paint the cockpit and open avionics.battery bays Dark Gull Grey. However, if the wells were Aircraft Grey, wouldn’t the bays be the same?
as a technique item for getting the white in wheel wells/landing gear to look good, I like to use Floquil Reefer White. No, it’s not a gloss but it covers GREAT (better, in my experience, than any gloss white I’ve ever tried). After letting it cure completely, a coat of future will give it a glossier finish like insignia white (generally, I paint the whtie parts first thing after opening the box - that leaves plenty of curing time while I assemble/paint other stuff before putting future over it).
It’s OK Bones I will answer your question when and if I can. [^]
The A-10s cockpit has always been gray for the reasons stated above by Cuda. As far as the weel wells go the color changes with the paint scheme. When the A-10 first came out it was painted gray so the wheel wells were also gray. during the Euro-I/II days the wells (and struts) were painted white, today the aircraft is again gray so the wheel wells and struts are again gray.
As far as the avionics bays go…you have to remember to repaint these you would have to remove all the avionics boxes and “tape-off” the wireing to repaint them…a BIG job! I have never seen any aircraft get this done because of the work and money involved. They will keep the bay color they roll off the factory with and only get “touch-up” during their life-cycle. This is why the bays may be a different color than the wells.