Factory paint scheme for '39 BC (what colors?)

[jCandlish]

Hi All

We've gotten to the point of being ready to paint my dad's old '39 NC23638. I'd like the plane to be original as possible but as yet we do not know the factory original color scheme.

The oldest color picture I've found is a Kodachrome from '46 with the plane in tow just before it became yellow above / black below as shown in the pictures here http://www.candlish.net/taylorcraft

From the included picture (bigger version here http://www.candlish.net/taylorcraft/...raft-in-46.jpg ) and from evidence of overspray on the gear legs under the black, the airplane was originally red.

My questions for the forum are:

What shade of red was used in Oct '39?

What color was most probably used for the numbers, leading edges and trim stripes? From the pictures here http://www.taylorcraft.info/tcraft/oldpic25.jpg and http://www.taylorcraft.info/tcraft/oldpic35.jpg it appears that planes with dark color had light color contrasting trim. But the factory brochure from may'40 shows red/black http://gallery.taylorcraft.org/facto...e_than_price_l

Finally I've seen that the taylorcraft logo changed styles in this period. Which logo is correct?

Thanks for your experience and help.
jCandlish
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[Robert Lees]

Hi John,

A great photo there, I will review the links when I can.

I hope you get a response to the "red" question, but I fear that it has been lost in the mists of time, or more likely not the same "Tenesse Red" or "Vermillion Red" or whatever when compared with today's equivalents.

For the logos, try Jim Zangger in the Member's section, he is the resident Fundi on such matters, I think.

Good to hear from you again.
Rob

p.s. nice motor...history behind the photo?

[jCandlish]

Thanks for your reply Rob.

It would be great to visit your field once I get my plane to Europe.

But just let me ask you about that. How did you get G-BREY to this side of the Atlantic?

Back to paint.

It seems pretty certain that NC23638 was red, and very red indeed. Not so much orange as the colour as I've seen in the pictures of other planes. Of course colour matching by photos is impossible.

But what is most interesting to me presently are answers to relatively simple questions: If the airplane was red what colour were the identification markings, stipes &tc? Were the wings and horizontal tail surfaces the same color as the fuselage, or painted the contrasting color?

What was the base colour of NC26581 (Grace Huntington's plane)? Is the paint scheme of NC26581 correct also for NC23638? Is there no historical record for this stuff?

From what I know about the picture included in the orginal posting, the plane had been recovered and repainted (to appear like a deluxe model) shortly before my dad got it in '46.

Thanks again in advance
jCandlish
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[jCandlish]

More info on factory paint schemes can be found here (450KB with images)

http://www.candlish.net/taylorcraft/paint-scheme.html

Please review for correctness.

Thanks
jCandlish
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