What colour WWII French wheel bays?

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

I’m currently working on an MS406 for the North Africa GB, and I’ve managed to suss all the camo colours apart from that of the wheel bays and covers?

Were they the same blue as the undersides of the aircraft, a la VVS aircraft, or were they painted in a protective primer?

Any ideas, would be gratefully received.

Thanks

Karl

2

Hello,

It’s always difficult to be sure but however in my opinion it’s the same blue as the whole undercarriage : in french “gris bleu clair”

Here are the references I’ve found in the french magazine REPLIC n°164 :

Lifecolor UA 141
Aeromaster 1101
Humbrol 65 (approx.)
Xtra-Color X389
Gunze H308 or H314
Tamiya XF53
Mister Kit FC04
According to the autor of this article the best solution is : Gunze H67 (70%) + H11 (30%)

http://www.cocardes.com

If you’re interested in french aircrafts you can find most of them in 1/48 scale at the same address : http://www.cocardes.com/articles.php?lng=fr&pg=311
My favorite one is the LeO 451 [:D][:D]

Have a nice day

3

Liore451 Many thanks for clearing that one up. I’ve been trying to work out what the correct colour would have been for a week or so now!

I use Gunze acrylics as a rule, and I’ve managed to match the remaining French colours to paints in the Gunze & Tamiya range, so I’ve already got both the H67 and H11. Which is handy!

Thanks for the link, my French is a little rusty, but I’m sure I’ll cope. I’ve got my eye on an Fonderie Miniature D510 as another project later this year, so I’ll be looking at the one on the link.

Thanks again

Karl