Spitfire horizontal tail color question

[Seawinder]

I generally build my Spits with the elevators drooped, and I always wonder what color(s) I should use for the edge bits of the stabilizers and elevator horns that are thus exposed. Any thoughts?

 

Thanks,

Pip

[72modeler]

Just guessing here, but before Graham logs on and gives us the benefit of his knowledge, but maybe the stabilizers would show grey-green primer along the edges exposed when the elevators were depressed/elevated, and the elevators, being fabric-covered and most likely painted before being fitted, would have the upper and lower colors split along the leading edge of the elevators. Bottom line, I have no idea, as restored Spitfires probably can't be used as representative of the wartime aircraft.

Mike

[elger]

maybe this helps. From http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/magazine/2001/12/stuff_eng_detail_spitfire_ix_01.htm

 

Edited January 9, 2018 by elger

[stever219]

I've just found images of (restored) TA805 and EP120 and gate guardian TE476 that agree with that posted by Elger.

Edited January 9, 2018 by stever219

[Seawinder]

Thanks, Elger et al. So I guess that looks like upper/lower camouflage colors? I wonder if the elevator horns received the same treatment.

[PhoenixII]

Hi Pip,

sorry can't give a firm answer to your question.

One thing I will point out, be aware of restorations, lots of time spent, along with lots of money! and they will hopefully go on for years.

My feeling's are, W.W.II R.A.F. service aircraft stabilizers and elevator horns would be either painted 'interior' green or aluminium or left NMF.

Generally they were not expected to last more than months, a few years at best.

Unless you can speak to someone who worked on a particular machine on a particular date in time,

there is only 'what was', rather than 'what should have been'! Take an educated guess, it's up to someone else to PROVE you wrong!!

 

Paul

 

[Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies]

I'd counter venture that these bits would have all had a good coat over overspray such that for model purposes, they should just be "painted".

 

We've all seen photographs of undercarriages including tyres painted Sky along with the rest of the underside. I see no logical reason why non-outward facing surfaces adjacent to the surfaces being camouflaged would escape liberal over spray anywhere else non-sensitive to paint.

[Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies]

https://goo.gl/images/HhwNzEp

 

https://goo.gl/images/6PBzXn

 

https://goo.gl/images/bRC6Tz

 

Looks like it's just painted the adjacent topsides camouflage colour to me.

 

[Graham Boak]

I don't believe that any part on a British aircraft, that was exposed to the air, would be left in natural metal.  (OK, the sliding part of the oleo, but that's not standard Duralumin/Alclad, and is effectively continuously oiled.)  Lack of painting was adopted by the US in 1944 for their aircraft because of the short expected service life, but the RAF was always more interested in rebuilds rather than scrapping, where possible, so were more concerned about corrosion.

[Seawinder]

2 hours ago, Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies said:

https://goo.gl/images/HhwNzEp

 

https://goo.gl/images/6PBzXn

 

https://goo.gl/images/bRC6Tz

 

Looks like it's just painted the adjacent topsides camouflage colour to me.

 

Those are really helpful photos, Jamie, thanks!

Edited January 11, 2018 by Seawinder