RAF heli drab help

[TimB]

On delivery, the RAF Merlins were painted in Dark Green BS381C241 BSX34 TypeB.  That is quoted off the engineering drawings for the RAF aircraft, a copy of which I happened to acquire in 2000 just before the aircraft were delivered.  I also confirmed it with the painters and finishers at RAF Benson.  

 

The comments by paul_c on the effect of primer (zinc  chromate or black) are totally right - Chinooks, Pumas and Merlin were painted in the same top coat and the Merlins look totally different when parked outside.  However....  When the aircraft has a touch up or a partial respray, the the tone will change as there are now more coats of top coat over the primer.  Also, the Merlin has large parts that are composite, that may weather differently to metal.  A full respray, with the top coat taken down to primer, will restore the original version - except that I seem to remember that the intent was to go to a black IR undercoat  like Chinook and Puma.  I'm not sure if this happened before the ac were passed to the Junglies with one carefull owner.

 

Bottom line - I plan to build an as delivered Merin HC3 with an undercoat of zinc chromate and a top coat of 241 Green.  If I was building a more "used" aircraft, I'd go with various tones of faded green, and not worry about using a zc undercoat.

 

Regards

Tim

[Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies]

Colourcoats has both BS381C-220  (ACRN18) and BS381C-298 (ACRN35) 

 

Both are satin finish enamel.