Hello
Just a quick question - does anyone know the FS number of the grey(s) used on the USMC UH-1N’s.
I’m about to buy an Italeri 1/48 UH-1N to add to my stash, ready for the better weather/light in the spring but I’m in 2 minds of what scheme to use, either a OD scheme as per the pic you can find on Wikipedia or the more recent grey, but I don’t know the FS numbers of the grey(s) they use.
Thanks in advance.
Dark Ghost Gray (FS35237) on upper surfaces.
Light Ghost Gray (FS36357) on lower surfaces.
Thanks HeavyArty that’s great. Still not sure which to colour scheme to do but at least I know the FS numbers now.
I’ve got the Marines decals from the Monogram version of the Revell UH-1 Hog kit I can use so I could do an approximation of the UH-1N pictured on Wikipedia that apparently took part in Wounded Eagle in '83, but I’ve also seen another UH-1N (158270) that I could base mine on that’s in an OD (well green at least) scheme, but the Grey seems like it’d be more appropriate because it’s more common.
I found that 2nd UH-1N here, http://www.jetwashaviationphotos.com/Pages/2maw.aspx
Don’t suppose you know the FS number for that shade of green?
Thanks, but I meant the other one, 158720, it seems to be a more vivid green than that one. I’m guessing it’s Gunship Green (FS34092)?
That is also helpful though because I wasn’t sure of the colour of that one either, probably would have ended up asking at some point. [:)]
I think it is also Field Green but newer, cleaner and less glossy. Note this is not a normal, active-duty scheme, but one that was painted for a special occasion; probably 100 Years of Naval Avaiation, 2010. The Navy/Marines painted all sorts of current helos in retro schemes as part of it. From the pic description:
"Not only is 158270 one of the last surviving UH-1N’s in service, she also sports this ‘heritage’ paint scheme. Painted whilst serving with HMLAT-303 at Camp Pendleton , she wears a Vietnam-era scheme with VMO-4 markings."
Cool thanks. If I decide on doing a green colour scheme I’ll probably do 158774 then. I have most of the decals for that at least. MAW decals for the grey colour scheme seem nigh on impossible to get (and I’m not aware of any other makers of such decals, although Fireball might be an option if I asked for a custom sheet) - I should have remembered that because I’ve looked before when I was umming and ahhing about buying a UH-1N…
I do like that shade of green on 158270 though, it kind of “pops” a bit more than the field green on 158774, although again getting hold of decals would probably be a problem. I’ve seen some other UH-1N models in various scales painted in a similar green on other webpages via google but the person who painted them never states what paints they used…
Thanks for the help though, at least I have some info on the colour schemes I’ve been looking at.
Marine Helo paint schemes have evolved over the past 40 years. After Vietnam and thru most of the 70s it was overall gloss Field Green with full color markings. Around the end of the decade that changed to Flat Field Green with subdued Flat Black markings. In the mid 80s, the Temperate Land scheme with a disruptive pattern of Flat Black and Flat Gray Blue over the Flat Field Green was applied. During Desert Shield/Desert Storm, this was found to be too dark for the environment, so all sorts of improvised schemes using tans and grays were introduced. Finally in the 90’s the current TPS schemes were introduced and have seen service to this time.
Interesting info. Thanks.
I did earlier (after asking here) find a pic of 158270 which stated in the caption it was painted in “Field Green”, closed the window on my browser now though and I don’t recall what site it was on.
Just a shame that “Field Green” seems to be a bit like Olive Drab in that it’s never the same exact FS colour. If it is I’d like to know why it looks so bright/vivid on 158270 and so dull/dark on 158774 - they seem like two different colours!
“Just a shame that “Field Green” seems to be a bit like Olive Drab in that it’s never the same exact FS colour. If it is I’d like to know why it looks so bright/vivid on 158270 and so dull/dark on 158774 - they seem like two different colours!”
I chalk it up to wear. 158774 looks to be in-service and dirty/worn. Additionally, it looks to be a glossy finish. 158270 looks to be freshly painted and clean, no wear and tear, and it is a flat finish. Flat vs glossy will change the color alone.
Yes I guess. I’ll have to experiment. I do know Future (what we all use for a gloss coat) darkens colours as it did that on the ESCI UH-1D I built. I think I will go with the green scheme of 158774 after all though, it’ll save the hassle sourcing the decals and I feel more confident in matching the paint tone on that one. I’ve narrowed down the model paint I want to Vallejo Model Air #22, seems to be the one that matches the FS number for Field Green at least.
