What is the colour "Duralumin" exactly?

Modeling Subjects Aircraft
1

Hey folks,

I just bought myself a new airplane kit and the painting instructions say the thing was painted in overall “Duralumin”.

Is this simply the same as an overall aluminum overspray colour, or is it something more particular?

I’ve found a few pictures of the actual aircraft on the net; (Yakovlev Yak-23 “Flora”) and its clearly not bare metal finish, but something metalic.

Does any company make “duralumin” for their paint range? (acrylic preferably), or am I good to simply go with any Aluminum shade paint?

Thanks in advance

2

If I remember correctly, Duralumin is aluminum that has had a protective coating put over it. Usually its a clear, slightly yellow coating but I have heard of one that had a bluish tint to it. This subject was a topic of much banter amongst me and some friends when I lived in California, I don’t think we ever decided on what precisely it should be. I’ve always went with just plain vanilla aluminum though. BTW, I’ve got a picture of the Flora in US markings if you’re interested.

3

It’s a shade of Aluminum. Alclad2 offers it in their range.

Regards, Rick

4

Thanks guys.

Kevin: I’ve seen a couple of pictures of the Flora in U.S. markings on the web, but thanks for the offer. Mine is either going to be Czech air force or a Polish civil registered bird from the kit decals.

I figure KP is now putting Propagteam decals in their kits, so no need to search the aftermarket. :slight_smile:

5

I’m not sure what the actual paint looks like but I know Alclad II makes a duraluminum shade and you can find it on GreatModels Webstore or Meteor Productions site for starters

6

Hi All,

I have searched this for you guys, so here it is:

alloy of aluminum (over 90%) with copper (about 4%), magnesium (0.5%-1%), and manganese (less than l%). Before a final heat treatment the alloy is ductile and malleable; after heat treatment a reaction between the aluminum and magnesium produces increased hardness and tensile strength. Because of its lightness and other desirable physical properties, duralumin is widely used in the aircraft industry.

7

It has a redish tint due to the copper and was originated in the city of Dur Germany. Hence the name Duraluminum.

8

Hi Folks
Duraliminium is a protected layer from pure aluminium to protect the aluminium alloy for corrosion.