1939 Model B Paint colors

[NC22211]

A 1939 brochure shows a Model B with a medium blue fuselage and what appears to be silver wings. It is a plane used as a CPTP trainer. It also had a flight school logo on the fuselage, behind the doors. I would like to recreate this combination on NC22211. Any ideas on the color identifications or any leads to neat looking flight school logos - Roscoe Turner's school or embry Riddle, Cincinnati come to mind. Was there a large Taylorcraft-only CPTP school? Thanks - Bob

[mulwyk]

Re: 1939 Model B Paint colors

I'd like to see that. Can you scan and post the photograph?

Bob Gustafson

[NC22211]

Re: 1939 Model B Paint colors

Bob: The problem with getting old is that you remember things but you have no idea where and when! It must have been a decade ago that I saw the brochure. The colors were what looked like the "Pepsi" blue fuselage with silver wings. The really neat thing about 20's and 30's airplanes was the way the owners personalized them. Almost everyone put something on teh fuselages - a company logo, family crest, the Mystery Ship cartouche - lots of real art deco appeal. I'd like to go that route, as long as I can maintain some correct historical reference to Taylorcraft. What reminded me was a little blurb about CPTP Taylorcraft trainers in Chet Peek's book. Guess I'll have to dig up Chet's email or address and ask him for help. Was hoping someone here, who would admit to being of that era, had memories or photos. Maybe we can generate something by stirring the pot here. Cheers! Bob Coolbaugh

[Howard Wilson]

Re: 1939 Model B Paint colors

Sometimes hidden away in the nooks and crannies of the plane, usually on the tubes around the front of the fuselage/instrument panel area you may find some of that blue 'metallic' paint still in good enough condition to use as a matching sample. There were quite a lot of posts about colors two years ago or so. Might be able to search them. Search on my posts and maybe Hank's.

Howard

[Chet Peek]

Re: 1939 Model B Paint colors

Glad to help Bob. Most of the CPT T-Crafts we flew back in 1940-41 were medium blue fuselage with silver wings. As to logos, try inquiring about the Howard Flying Service who operated CPT T-Crafts at Ames Iowa, 1939-44. Ames Chamber of Commerce might help, or Iowa State University.

No, I soloed there in a Luscombe, sorry. But I fly a DC-65 now.

Chet Peek [email protected]

[NC22211]

Re: 1939 Model B Paint colors

Thank you, all. Chet - thanks for the lead on Howard. My Dad worked for Bevo Howard in the 60's, so I'll try locating some info on earlier Howard logo possibilities. Ole Roscoe Turner had that huge training operation in Indiana, I believe - knowing how colorful he was, surely there would be some logo history with his planes.Embry Riddle might have something, flying out of Cinci. Any other neat ones come to mind?

[1938BF50]

Re: 1939 Model B Paint colors

Bob,

Having a 1938 B that was actually owned by Roscoe, I would LOVE to see an original color scheme of his ships. I queried NASM/Garber Facility(the entire Turner collection resides there), and they had no pics of any light aircraft paint schemes associated with Central Aeronautical Corp(Roscoe Turner). They made the comment that he started CAC in 1942. My paperwork lists him as President of the corporation in January of 1939. I have posted this before, but my ship has LOTS of evidence of an original orange. I have an original 1930-something Berry Brothers color chart that matches this paint to "Curtis Robin Orange". I have exhausted every lead concerning the original paint scheme on NC20407. I am leaning towards an orange/silver wing layout. Hope this thread reveals some info.

[Ragwing nut]

Re: 1939 Model B Paint colors

I have some rudder pedals with the original metallic blue. It is a little darker than pepsi blue and metallic like the can. To get it correct you would need to match up a berry brothers paint chart.

Mike

[3Dreaming]

Re: 1939 Model B Paint colors

When I did my BL I had some Poly Fiber Aerothane mixed to match the original blue, even had it flattened to look like dope. Randolph Newport blue matches as close as anything to the original. I used Nevada Silver Polytone on the wings and stabs. Tom

[Chet Peek]

Re: 1939 Model B Paint colors

Bob, the Ames, Iowa Howard is not related to Bevo Howard.
Chet

[NC22211]

Re: 1939 Model B Paint colors

Research changes wishes. Originally, I was interested in the CPTP colors for NC22211, that was until I located the son of the second owner. He had a picture of the plane taken in the late 40's, early 50's when it was dark green fuselage, orange wings and tail, orange lubber line factory. So, armed with that, I went to the Fly-In at Forrest's, hoping for a glimpse of one so painted. No luck, and only one or two pre-war birds there. Saw some great planes and met some really grand Taylorcraft people, but came away with few restoration assist photos. Question for those with the skinny, what were the Berryloid or Randolph dope color designations for the dark green and the orange? I plan to return NC22211 to the factory colors now that I have proof.

Progress report: All metal work repaired, bead blasted and powder coated. Some of the woodwork is installed, but a lot more to be made. Shinn brake and wheel work in progress. Interesting design and lightweight -wonder why Cleveland/Grove can't come up with something as simple and light and inexpensive? Wing ribs are coming off as well. Spars are mouse eaten in all the wrong places, otherwise looked great. Ribs damaged by years of neglect, nose D's corroded away from contact with concrete, it appears. Lime, water and aluminum are not compatible! Will need new spars and a lot of rib repair before they are airworthy. Original 13 rib wings, so I have a few less than you heavy-weight guys to repair. Still dreaming of finding a project bird that I can just take down, clean up, and put back together without all this major reconstruction! Has anyone ever been so lucky?? Seems I always pick the orphan runt least cared about. Might be why the plane means so much when it is finished. Sorry about the ramble - Bob

[Ragwing nut]

Re: 1939 Model B Paint colors

The right color green and orange will make or break the feel of the airplane. I am thinking a nice dark Stinson Green, and a nice darker orange, nothing pale. That would be pretty.

Mike

[1938BF50]

Re: 1939 Model B Paint colors

Bob,

I have an ORIGINAL Berry Brothers color chart from the 30's! It has never seen the light of day expect for a few brief glimpses. I want to copy this chart for use by others but need to first make sure I don't do damage in doing so. I have visions of laying it on the copier or scanner, hitting the go button, and turning it all "Loening Yellow" with that zap of techno-light.


I will look tonite and list some of the colors. Remember, by the time that picture was taken, the ship may have been recovered a couple times already!

My logs show recovering every 2 or 3 years in the 40's and 50's.

Mike C.

[1938BF50]

Re: 1939 Model B Paint colors

I made copies of this color chart. Anyone wanting a copy PM me with your address and I will mail a copy. As expected, the yellows, red's and oranges are all a little darker than the original chart. The remaining colors are identical to the eye.

Mike C.

[Ragwing nut]

Re: 1939 Model B Paint colors

Original Berry Brothers charts are hard to find! I have had my hands on one only once in the last 20 years.

Mike