L2A Paint Scheme

[chesterflyer]

Hi There,

We are restoring an L2A Taylorcraft in the UK and have now reached the stage where we need to start painting undercarriage etc. We have photos of the original paint scheme which shows a grey underbelly/struts/undercarriage and a dark green fuselage and uppersurfaces.

Can anyone tell me what type of green/grey we should use. Waht type of paint?? It is a 1942 model.

Many Thanks

Chester

[Dick Huish]

Re: L2A Paint Scheme

Chester, If you're doing it in the original US colors the fuselage and tops of the wings and tail should be Olive drab and the under side of the fuselage,wings and tail should be Neutral gray. I have the Federal spec numbers in the shop and will send them tomorrow. The landing gear is gray and the lift struts are green. When you paint, you don't mask the seams but just fade one into the other. Paint the dark first as the overspray of light is not as noticeable on the dark. Dick

[Pro from Dover]

Re: L2A Paint Scheme

Not sure what fabric system you're using. We used Randolph Ceconite Dope System on our L-2M. Colors are R-4869 Olive Drab and R-4870 Neutral gray.

Poly Fiber colors are 208 Federal 14087 Olive Drab. Not sure what matches the Neutral gray in PolyFiber. Give PolyFiber a call.

Since PolyFiber bought Randolph the paints have all changed to a base paint with a tinting process accomplished by your distributor. As such, both the Randolph dope and PolyFiber coatings all all gloss and require a flattener be added to the paint.

Here are some interesting sites for reading.

http://www.njipms.org/Technique/USAAC_Paint.htm

http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq2-1.htm

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3819/is_199804/ai_n8783247

http://ipmsstockholm.org/magazine/1999/12/stuff_eng_profile_mustang1.htm

Quick note. Use Insignia Blue for the insignia. Insignia Blue, Red, and White have been the standard since the earth cooled.

You will see a lot of folks with the stars and bars a brighter blue color. These bright blue insignias may be vinyl applique'. To me, they just look goofy. Check out this month's Sport Aviation magazine with the article on the L-3 and you'll see what I mean. It just doesn't look right..

If you need any help, PM me.

v/r,

Bill

Vintage Aircraft Services

[Ragwing nut]

Re: L2A Paint Scheme

The poly fiber colors are not even close. Randolph OD was close and I had to custom mix the gray to get it to match. The gray was fairly dark.

Mike

[chesterflyer]

Re: L2A Paint Scheme

Many thanks Dick the Fed Spec numbers will be a bonus!

Best Regards

Chester

[chesterflyer]

Re: L2A Paint Scheme

Many thanks Bill and Mike


Chester