phantomordie Posted September 1, 2008 Report Posted September 1, 2008 Anyone aware of the natural metal finish used on some Banshee's in the 50's?
ghodges Posted September 1, 2008 Report Posted September 1, 2008 Yes, but it wasn't a true NMF. It was actually a paintied aluminum finish as the USN couldn't allow NMF due to salt water corrosion in their carrier environment. The debate (IMO) is whether or not the planes were actually PAINTED Aluminum (ala like the Correguard leading edges on other USN planes); OR if the NMF was given a heavy CLEAR COAT as corosion protection. The latter idea would account for some differing panel tints seen on some USN a/c. Either way, I think the solution for modelers is easy; ALCLAD! My one objection to Alclad is that it looks like a "painted" NMF when compared to MM Metalizer or SNJ polished aluminum. It photographs like NMF, but it doesn't quite pull it off for your eyes. However, this is PEFECT for those 50's USN aluminum jets (Banshees, FJ-2/3 Furys, Cutlasses, and the occasional Panther). By the way, to my knowledge only the late model -3/4 Banshees had the silver finishes. I've never seen the earlier -2 Banjo's (Korean War vintage) in that schme. Cheers! GIL
phantomordie Posted September 1, 2008 Author Report Posted September 1, 2008 Yes, but it wasn't a true NMF. It was actually a paintied aluminum finish as the USN couldn't allow NMF due to salt water corrosion in their carrier environment. The debate (IMO) is whether or not the planes were actually PAINTED Aluminum (ala like the Correguard leading edges on other USN planes); OR if the NMF was given a heavy CLEAR COAT as corosion protection. The latter idea would account for some differing panel tints seen on some USN a/c. Either way, I think the solution for modelers is easy; ALCLAD! My one objection to Alclad is that it looks like a "painted" NMF when compared to MM Metalizer or SNJ polished aluminum. It photographs like NMF, but it doesn't quite pull it off for your eyes. However, this is PEFECT for those 50's USN aluminum jets (Banshees, FJ-2/3 Furys, Cutlasses, and the occasional Panther). By the way, to my knowledge only the late model -3/4 Banshees had the silver finishes. I've never seen the earlier -2 Banjo's (Korean War vintage) in that schme. Cheers! GIL Thanks Gil. Do you know of any photos?
ghodges Posted September 1, 2008 Report Posted September 1, 2008 There are 3 sources for pics/profiles/color profiles. There's the Ginter book on the Banshee. It's one of his early works so the pics are a bit grainy and the side views are "crude". The better 2 are the "Banshee in Action" and the "USN Carrier Air Units, 1946-56"; both from Squadron Signal. The Air Units book may be out of production. Those both have some pics and several color profiles of silver Banshees. By the way, if you opt for the gray version of the -3/4 Banshee, then look for the later edition "USN Carrier Air Units, 1957-67". It has plenty of the gray/white late model Banshee color profiles. Best of luck! GIL
phantomordie Posted September 1, 2008 Author Report Posted September 1, 2008 There are 3 sources for pics/profiles/color profiles. There's the Ginter book on the Banshee. It's one of his early works so the pics are a bit grainy and the side views are "crude". The better 2 are the "Banshee in Action" and the "USN Carrier Air Units, 1946-56"; both from Squadron Signal. The Air Units book may be out of production. Those both have some pics and several color profiles of silver Banshees. By the way, if you opt for the gray version of the -3/4 Banshee, then look for the later edition "USN Carrier Air Units, 1957-67". It has plenty of the gray/white late model Banshee color profiles. Best of luck! GIL Thanks!
phantomordie Posted September 1, 2008 Author Report Posted September 1, 2008 Fotios Rouch in his 1/48 Banjo build from the Ginter book as reference says the finish was natural and not aluminum laquer. Now its getting interesting, I will have to do some more research.
ghodges Posted September 1, 2008 Report Posted September 1, 2008 Fotios is an EXCELLENT builder! You can hardly go wrong following his example! GIL
phantomordie Posted September 5, 2008 Author Report Posted September 5, 2008 Found some great pics I was looking for in Navy Air Colors Vol.2.
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