RiotRolo Posted June 29, 2019 Share Posted June 29, 2019 Hi, I have just finished the cockpit of an Me262 1b, I was about to go ahead and paint the gun bay, fuselage and wheel bay in RLM 02 as this is what I have always believed these areas on Luftwaffe to be. However whilst looking around on other builds and references there seems to be a lot of gun bays and fuselages painted a metal colour. Can anyone give me an idea on if I should go ahead and paint it in a metal colour or to go ahead with the RLM02? I dont really show my models off (mainly cause I only have a phone camera and I can never get the photos to do the model justice) and they tend to just sit on my shelf but if I found out I had done it wrong after painting I would still be disappointed. Thanks guys! Ryan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted June 29, 2019 Share Posted June 29, 2019 (edited) I'm not sure which version you are describing- an A-1b or a b-1a? Either way, I don't think there are any definitive answers out there, and at that stage of the war a lot of corners were bing cut and finish specifications weren't alway followed to the letter, as time and materials were definite factors. I would hope that one of our resident Luftwaffe color/camouflage authorities will see your post and help you. Off the top of my head, I seem to recall a real mixture of finishes applied to the areas you asked about- cannon and wheel bays and interior surfaces of the landing gear fairing doors- parts of which were constructed of wood, if memory serves. Some subassembly parts were most likely painted in the correct primers, and I have seen and read descriptions that called out for RLM76, RLM 02, or unpainted sections in those three areas. There is a very nice detailed walkaround of the Me-262b-1a preserved in South Africa, which until recently was unrestored and in its original finish, but I think there was some restoration work done since then. I wish I could remember the name of the modeler who has commented on this airplane as well as furnished photos, but maybe a search in the walkaround section might help? I have attached a link to the IPMS Stockholm walkaround on the b-1a as well as a link to aircraft preserved in South Africa, but the 262 photos are only of the exterior. The third link describes colors and markings on most of the captured two-seat aircraft, including Red '8'. If you're doing an A-1b, then everything I just said might very well not apply! Best I can do, I'm afraid! Mike https://www.ipmsstockholm.org/magazine/2002/04/stuff_eng_detail_me262b.htm http://silverhawkauthor.com/warplanes-of-the-second-world-war-preserved-in-south-africa_467.html http://ipmsvagabonds.com/page3/page52/page52.html Edited June 30, 2019 by 72modeler corrected spelling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pat d Posted June 30, 2019 Share Posted June 30, 2019 Wow, Just some observations. I would think a lot would depend on when the original A/C was built. I would assume that earlier builds had more care taken than build produced later at the wars end with material shortages, unwilling labor, etc. I would suggest keeping the main wheel bays in natural metal. The Smithsonian finished their single seater nose bay in RLM 02. I would think the fuselage interior is unpainted. Gun bays I have seen unpainted metal but I seem to remember seeing a photo (s?) with 02 application. Wk. Nr 500200 even had an "aotake" looking finish under one of the cowl panels. The definitive answer I would think comes down to an individual A/C-where and when it was built. Hope this helps..and does not confuse the issue! Pat D 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted June 30, 2019 Share Posted June 30, 2019 Pat, Those were incredible photos! Thanks for sharing them. That "aotake" finish on that cannon bay cover looks a lot like the lionoil finish that Curtiss used to protect aluminum panels during production- wonder if the finished panel in your photo had something similar applied? Sure looks like those stiffeners were pre-finished prior to assembly, too. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Hugo Posted June 30, 2019 Share Posted June 30, 2019 On 6/29/2019 at 8:25 PM, 72modeler said: There is a very nice detailed walkaround of the Me-262b-1a preserved in South Africa, which until recently was unrestored and in its original finish, but I think there was some restoration work done since then. I wish I could remember the name of the modeler who has commented on this airplane as well as furnished photos, but maybe a search in the walkaround section might help? I have attached a link to the IPMS Stockholm walkaround on the b-1a as well as a link to aircraft preserved in South Africa, but the 262 photos are only of the exterior. The third link describes colors and markings on most of the captured two-seat aircraft, including Red '8'. If you're doing an A-1b, then everything I just said might very well not apply! Best I can do, I'm afraid! Mike https://www.ipmsstockholm.org/magazine/2002/04/stuff_eng_detail_me262b.htm http://silverhawkauthor.com/warplanes-of-the-second-world-war-preserved-in-south-africa_467.html http://ipmsvagabonds.com/page3/page52/page52.html Err, that might be me Here the link http://www.wildaviation.com/gallery3/index.php/Walkarounds/wwii/Me262-Nightfighter 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted June 30, 2019 Share Posted June 30, 2019 Yep- it was you, Charlie; I had misfiled your walkaround photos, so I really appreciate your re-posting the incredible pictures so I can save them for future use, as well as any other Me-262 fans. Much obliged, podnuh, as we say here in sunny South Central Texas! Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stein Meum Posted July 2, 2019 Share Posted July 2, 2019 I think the cockpit was RLM 66 Schwartzgrau, nosewheel bay RLM 02, while the rest of the interior was various shades of bare metal. Stein M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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