ALLISON V-1710 PAINT CODE

[BALL TURRET GUNNER 1943]

I need assistance with discovering the proper paint code which was used on the V-1710. I have searched numerous sites and have not found an answer. One reference said the paint was called Allison Blue. However, I cannot find any other information on this color. I have seen pictures of engines, most of these show the engine in a light blue color, other pictures look more like a light greenish color.

Can anyone help me "verify" the correct color code that was used? HEX, RGB, CMYK, or 595 STD? I would greatly appreciate the help.

 

[Wurger]

The paint is a pre-FS coding system colour and it may be a trouble in finding its equivalent. According to a couple of the net sources the tinge of the grey colour could vary from batch to batch. Generally it is said the correct tinge was the enamel Humbrol 87 Steel Gray or Humbrol 67 Tank Grey. Additionally it can be the Humbrol Acrylic equivalents of these two.
However it seems that the Dark Engine Gray FS 26081 (FS 36081) or FS 36076 could be as well. The most popular one is the FS 36118 Gunship Gray. Also you can mix the FS 36270 Neutral Gray with some of the blue or green colour. Most of the colours are of the dull type so if you need a semi-matt or gloss paint you may add some of the gloss clear varnish to get the more shiny appearance. I hope it may be useful for you or just can come in handy.

RAL 7021 - FS 36251 also appears on the list.

 

[ddwhitney]

Good question. The answer is in the Army/Navy Standard AN-9500d. Therein, Paragraph D-34b(2). Finish Coat. - The finish coat for the basic engine (and applied to the V-1710 and is what is seen on original examples even today) and components shall be heat resistant enamel or aluminum pigmented varnish. enamel other than that of aluminum color, shall match the applicable color of the Air Force-Navy aircraft color standards (glossy) and ANA Bulletin #166 (or earlier versions as applicable).
Part Color
(a) All parts comprising a complete crankcase assembly Gray
(b) All accessory drive housings, adapters and covers
attaching to any part of the crankcase Gray
(c) All engine driven pumps installed on any crankcase
section, adapter, cover or housing Gray
(d) All sumps and attaching elbows or parts installed
on any crankcase section, cover or housing Gray
(e) All intake manifolds for liquid-cooled engines Gray
(f) All unplated parts of power regulators, fuel metering
water injection systems, and ignition systems Black
(g) Liquid-cooled cylinders, cam covers, and attaching covers Black
(h) Air-Cooled cylinder baffles, push rod tubes and
intake pipes Black
(i) All magnesium alloy rocker covers for air-cooled cylinders Aluminum

For Color shades go to: https://www.aircorpsart.com/blog/WWII-color codes
Cheers,
Dan Whitney

 

[BALL TURRET GUNNER 1943]

Good question. The answer is in the Army/Navy Standard AN-9500d. Therein, Paragraph D-34b(2). Finish Coat. - The finish coat for the basic engine (and applied to the V-1710 and is what is seen on original examples even today) and components shall be heat resistant enamel or aluminum pigmented varnish. enamel other than that of aluminum color, shall match the applicable color of the Air Force-Navy aircraft color standards (glossy) and ANA Bulletin #166 (or earlier versions as applicable).
Part Color
(a) All parts comprising a complete crankcase assembly Gray
(b) All accessory drive housings, adapters and covers
attaching to any part of the crankcase Gray
(c) All engine driven pumps installed on any crankcase
section, adapter, cover or housing Gray
(d) All sumps and attaching elbows or parts installed
on any crankcase section, cover or housing Gray
(e) All intake manifolds for liquid-cooled engines Gray
(f) All unplated parts of power regulators, fuel metering
water injection systems, and ignition systems Black
(g) Liquid-cooled cylinders, cam covers, and attaching covers Black
(h) Air-Cooled cylinder baffles, push rod tubes and
intake pipes Black
(i) All magnesium alloy rocker covers for air-cooled cylinders Aluminum

For Color shades go to: https://www.aircorpsart.com/blog/WWII-color codes
Cheers,
Dan Whitney

Thank you for sharing. However, that page isn't there. Would you have another reference/source?

 

[BALL TURRET GUNNER 1943]

The paint is a pre-FS coding system colour and it may be a trouble in finding its equivalent. According to a couple of the net sources the tinge of the grey colour could vary from batch to batch. Generally it is said the correct tinge was the enamel Humbrol 87 Steel Gray or Humbrol 67 Tank Grey. Additionally it can be the Humbrol Acrylic equivalents of these two.
However it seems that the Dark Engine Gray FS 26081 (FS 36081) or FS 36076 could be as well. The most popular one is the FS 36118 Gunship Gray. Also you can mix the FS 36270 Neutral Gray with some of the blue or green colour. Most of the colours are of the dull type so if you need a semi-matt or gloss paint you may add some of the gloss clear varnish to get the more shiny appearance. I hope it may be useful for you or just can come in handy.

RAL 7021 - FS 36251 also appears on the list.

Thank you for your reply. So the V-1710 was a grey color and not a green or blue?

 

[BALL TURRET GUNNER 1943]

Thank you Wurger and ddwhitney.

I cannot find any spec or record. The only reference I found was a blue color known as Allison Blue was used. Other than that, i cannot find anything.

The only information I have to go with is images, some look like a light blue, and some are like a light green.

 

[ddwhitney]

Good question. The answer is in the Army/Navy Standard AN-9500d. Therein, Paragraph D-34b(2). Finish Coat. - The finish coat for the basic engine (and applied to the V-1710 and is what is seen on original examples even today) and components shall be heat resistant enamel or aluminum pigmented varnish. enamel other than that of aluminum color, shall match the applicable color of the Air Force-Navy aircraft color standards (glossy) and ANA Bulletin #166 (or earlier versions as applicable).
Part Color
(a) All parts comprising a complete crankcase assembly Gray
(b) All accessory drive housings, adapters and covers
attaching to any part of the crankcase Gray
(c) All engine driven pumps installed on any crankcase
section, adapter, cover or housing Gray
(d) All sumps and attaching elbows or parts installed
on any crankcase section, cover or housing Gray
(e) All intake manifolds for liquid-cooled engines Gray
(f) All unplated parts of power regulators, fuel metering
water injection systems, and ignition systems Black
(g) Liquid-cooled cylinders, cam covers, and attaching covers Black
(h) Air-Cooled cylinder baffles, push rod tubes and
intake pipes Black
(i) All magnesium alloy rocker covers for air-cooled cylinders Aluminum

For Color shades go to: https://www.aircorpsart.com/blog/WWII-color codes
Cheers,
Dan Whitney

Opps on the link.

USAAF Color Codes: Researching the Origins of WWII Camouflage Colors and Aircraft Finishes

The exploration and identification of official US Army Air Corps and US Air Force color codes, color cards, aircraft paint schemes and finishes for aircraft restorers, modelers, fine artists and color researchers.

www.aircorpsart.com

Dan

 

[BALL TURRET GUNNER 1943]

Opps on the link.

USAAF Color Codes: Researching the Origins of WWII Camouflage Colors and Aircraft Finishes

The exploration and identification of official US Army Air Corps and US Air Force color codes, color cards, aircraft paint schemes and finishes for aircraft restorers, modelers, fine artists and color researchers.

www.aircorpsart.com

Dan

That works. Thank you

 

[Wurger]

Thank you for your reply. So the V-1710 was a grey color and not a green or blue?

Yes the coulur was a grey colour. And please make a focus on the fact it wasn't any camouflage colour. Its tinge could be of the blue or green because of its chemical composition and the light. Here below there is a shot I found via the net showing the colour , let's say, in the shadow . In the pic you may find the three tones seen in the shot below with the three chips. All depends on the angle, distance and the light.
The same effect you may find if you look at the Neutral Grey 43 paint used for the undersides of USAAF aircraft. Although it was a grey colour it was looking like a blue one until got faded.

the Steel Grey and the Steel Teal and Tank Grey ...

the pic source: https://encycolorpedia.com/7b9095

Here a link to site with the engine model. The author suggested the Hu87 as the one matching the best.

Trumpeter 1/32 Allison V-1710, by Spiros Pendedekas

And here the two pics of the same engine ... the different angle, distance, amount of the light ... but the two tinge o f the grey paint can be noticed.

the pic source: the net.

 

[ddwhitney]

That works. Thank you

The engines were definately "gray'.
Dan

 

[BALL TURRET GUNNER 1943]

Thank you Wurger and ddwhitney for your response. I will find color samples to order and compare.

 

[GregP]

The actual color is mixed with Gray and Blue to get the correct gray-blue. Joe Yancey retired and I don;t have him as a resource anymore, but have stood there when he mixed it. Sort of a darker gray and sort of British sports car blue, mix until it matches and note amounts for future mixes.

 

[BALL TURRET GUNNER 1943]

The actual color is moxed with Gray and Blue to get the correct gray-blue. Joe Yancey retired and I don;t have him as a resource anymore, but have stood there when he mixed it. Sort of a darker gray and sort of British sports car bluem mix until it matches and note amounts for future mixes.

thank you