Curtiss-Wright CW-21B

[No.1]

We always need to refer to the original sources and references- Du Pont color chart for export colors

[draken35]

One thing I forgot to mention is that I'm building my model as it would have been after relatively little service in the combat zone. The sun surely faded the paint, especially that khaki color, to a lighter shade after a bit of exposure.

You're right Scott doing so. Climate in East Indies is surely hot and wet.

[samuraj77]

Very nice work...

[Second Air Force]

I've done some more research and head-scratching and come up with a custom mix of faded O.D. and ANA 613 that seems to have just about the right amount of khaki shading in it. It contrasts well enough with the medium green without being too light or too dark. This is a very hard nut to crack since I haven't any color photos of the Interceptor, just the black and white pictures. The various line drawings are very helpful but, again, the colors are somewhat of an educated guess.

[Nico Braas]

Green colours are always described as 'Old leaf' and 'Young leaf'!
 Undersides were alu paint. Buffalo and Hawk had similar schemes.
In some sources a dark green/dark earth scheme is given, but this is incorrect!'Young leaf' is roughly similar to FS34092 (Humbrol H-149). 'Old leaf' must be FS4079 or Humbrol H-163.
Source: Camouflage en Kentekens op vliegtuigen van de Nederlandse Strijdkrachten by J.H.N. Greuter (ISBN 90 73304 57 1).

[draken35]

Bedankt, Nico!

[Second Air Force]

Indeed! I'll pick up a container of H-149 or FS 34079 and compare it to my "custom mixed" color. I haven't sprayed this color yet so I'll take your advice, Nico!

[Second Air Force]

Just a quick update on my Old Leaf color research. Here is a color swatch I brushed together today with all of the different khaki and olive drab colors I could find and a couple of custom mixed variations also.

Curtiss-Wright CW-21B

I'm leaning toward a custom mix that isn't on the palette right now. Opinions?

[No.1]

Base green look fine as well 34079

[Second Air Force]

My thinking is that the 34079 is just a little too harsh and a small bit of faded O.D. would tone it down a bit. I'll mix some up and spray it on one horizontal stabilizer to see how it looks. None of the photos we've seen show a huge contrast between the colors.

[Second Air Force]

Today I formulated and sprayed the color I decided on for the old leaf tone and clearcoated for decal application. While that was drying I attacked the landing gear legs. The kit parts just don't look right and have the scissor link bosses too high on the strut. I dug around in my spares but couldn't find anything that suited me. I had a "eureka!" moment when I remembered the ancient MiG-21 kit in a box. Sure enough, the gear legs turned out to be nearly perfect for the Interceptor with a little extra work. I added a few bits of plastic, scratchbuilt the accordion strut doors, and applied the PE scissor links that come with the kit and this is the result, with an original on the left for comparison:

Curtiss-Wright CW-21B

[draken35]

Sounds excellent, Scott!

[Sall]

Nice!Excellent idea!

[No.1]

Well- CW-21 and MiG-21 are both interceptors

[Second Air Force]

Well- CW-21 and MiG-21 are both interceptors

Funny--that is exactly what I thought! My donor kit is an IMC model that was already missing the canopy. I checked on the auction sites and found that it isn't worth much so I decided to rob the gear legs from it. I had planned on building it just to say I did, maybe now I'll mount it on the clear plastic stand that came with it. Ironically, I acquired both kits in the antique store purchase. Some things are just meant to be!