Original colors and markings?

[rdwater]

I'm getting ready to cover my '46 BC-12D. I'd like to find out the original colors and marking as it came from the factory if possible. Can anyone help me? Its sn: 9224, NC96924, originally sold on August 5, 1946. I'm planning to use the Poly Fiber coatings and reference to the closest of these colors would be great. Thanks, Bob Waters

[jrzangger]

Forest can clarify on some of the other colors, but in 1946 they used Stearman Vermillion Red over Black, or combinations of silver over blue, yellow over black, creme over blue. There were some variations in the scheme, most notably whether the top of the cowling continued with the bottom color or if the curve went forward to the nose bowl. I've seen some people make the mistake of making the curve at the tail too abrupt. It is a very large radius curve starting at the bottom of the tail post and arcing up with the tangent about three or four feet ahead of the horizontal stabilizer. The method to determine the straight line would be from the center of the widest part of the nose bowl to the lower rudder hinge. The nose bowl should be entirely the color of the lower color with a smooth arc centered on the cowl hinge line meeting the tangent of the straight line somewhere at the rear of the cowling. The other option is to follow the curve of the windshield fairing and the entire cowling will be the same as the lower color.

I was fortunate in being able to remove the "original" factory fabric with the correct scheme and colors.

Hope this helps.

[crispy critter]

Nice crawfish

[Victor Gisclair]

Crawfish

You know why it looks worried, there is a cajun after him.