Potez 63-11 colors

[ReccePhreak]

My friend & I are just getting started on our  AZUR 1/48 Potez 63-11, and the color callouts are confusing. The instructions call for Gunze H55/C71 Night Blue for the interior. That is a REALLY DARK gloss blue, is it correct? 

The few online builds I have seen don't look that dark.

Larry

[dogsbody]

According to Colourcoats, that is the correct colour and shade.

 

 

 

 

 

Chris

[MDriskill]

The excellent French magazine "Les Ailes" recently published this photo. It's a new museum restoration of a Dewoitine D.520:

 

 

 

 

Edited December 31, 2021 by MDriskill

[ReccePhreak]

Thank you both for those replies. Unfortunately, the Gunze C71 that is specified on the instruction sheet appears to be a LOT darker than either of those two pictures.

 

Larry

[Hornet133]

Kit companies quote the 'closest' colour in the paint range that they are pushing (in this case Gunze).

 

This does NOT mean that the quoted colour is very accurate, just the closest one in that particular range. 

 

 

[ReccePhreak]

8 hours ago, Hornet133 said:

Kit companies quote the 'closest' colour in the paint range that they are pushing (in this case Gunze).

 

This does NOT mean that the quoted colour is very accurate, just the closest one in that particular range. 

 

 

That's totally believable, but then there's the differences from the Colourcoat's list and the picture of the "top-class restoration of a Dewoitine D.520". 

I guess I will choose the blue paint in my stash that looks the closest to me.

I think my hardest decision is whether to use gloss, semi-gloss or flat paint. 

Larry

Edited December 29, 2021 by ReccePhreak
More info

[alt-92]

4 hours ago, ReccePhreak said:

I think my hardest decision is whether to use gloss, semi-gloss or flat paint. 

Eh  depends if you want shiny reflections everywhere when seated in the cockpit.

[BS_w]

The "bleu de nuit" appears from december 1939, before this date

we can found a "gris bleu" or "gris bleu foncé"(same as camo colour)

 

The early Po 63-11 had their cockpit paint in "gris bleu/gris bleu foncé"

and the late  airplane in "bleu de nuit" a very dark blue

 

the wreck of an early Po 63-11 shows the  interior "gris bleu"

 

below the "bleu de nuit" on D520 stiffener with

matt darl blue Humbrol 189, MoLak Gloss sea blue and Midnight blue"

Edited December 29, 2021 by BS_w

[MDriskill]

The D.520 cockpit shot looks to have been taken indoors with a camera flash, which can distort colors quite a bit. I'm guessing the paint is darker than it appears in the photo, but claim no expertise beyond that. 

 

Hard to compare colors digitally of course, but BS_w's D.520 relic looks quite close to the Gunze sample on my screen.

Edited December 29, 2021 by MDriskill

[BS_w]

"gris bleu" on Po 63 11 between color charts white/neutral grey 18%/black

 

 

[ReccePhreak]

Thank you @BS_w for those 2 informative replies. Now I just have to figure out the timeframe of the plane I want to build.

Larry

[Planebuilder62]

Dear Larry

How about adding white to your paint until it looks right to you?
regards Toby

[BS_w]

On 12/28/2021 at 9:44 PM, ReccePhreak said:

 That is a REALLY DARK gloss blue, is it correct? 

 

it's exactly, wrote in D 520 maintenance manual/finish, 1940

"bleu de nuit mat", matt night blue

 

 

Follow "les Ailes", the next issues the interior colors of the French planes of the second world war will be seen.

Waroff

Edited December 30, 2021 by BS_w

[ReccePhreak]

2 hours ago, BS_w said:

it's exactly, wrote in D 520 maintenance manual/finish, 1940

"bleu de nuit mat", matt night blue

 

 

Follow "les Ailes", the next issues the interior colors of the French planes of the second world war will be seen.

Waroff

Thanks for the tip, but I have no access to that magazine here in Florida. My references consist of forums like this, and whatever books & magazines that I can download in PDF form. It was different back in the 80s & 90s, when I was stationed in Germany and the UK, while still in the USAF.

Larry