Curtis XP-55 Ascender Wheel Wells

[nmertes]

Can anybody confirm that the wheel wells of the XP-55 were actually yellow?  The Modelsvit instructions show Humbrol 81 Pale Yellow which I assume to be zinc chromate yellow is the color to be used.  I haven't found any pictures online in color that show the wheel wells.

[ipmsusa2]

Nick, I haven't seen anything that will help you, but consider that the XP-55 was exactly that, experimental.  Chromate yellow in the wheel wells would be quite reasonable.  And given the lack of documentation, no one can say you'd be wrong.

[ghodges]

I believe Richard is on the right track....Chromate yellow was a common primer coating for many manufacturers of the day, so lacking any info saying otherwise, it'd be a very good bet.

 

Gil

[Stikpusher]

Seeing how it’s a Curtiss product, as was the P-40, I’d suggest using a P-40 of the same era for a reference. 

[Highlander]

19 hours ago, Stikpusher said:

Seeing how it’s a Curtiss product, as was the P-40, I’d suggest using a P-40 of the same era for a reference. 

That is a obviously good idea.  Wish I had come up with it.

[Stikpusher]

Here is a P-40 in production in late 1941… original color from Life Magazine archives…looks like interior green in the wheel wells.

 

Edited September 10, 2021 by Stikpusher

[nmertes]

Thanks for the suggestions everybody.  Now I just have to decide which color to use.

[johneaton]

I think it was this color, cause I don't want to change it!  Collect-Aire kit.