A aviation & planes forum. AviationBanter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » AviationBanter forum » rec.aviation newsgroups » Military Aviation
Site Map Home Register Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

P-51 wings: silver paint or natural metal ?



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old July 12th 04, 05:57 PM
Vicente Vazquez
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default P-51 wings: silver paint or natural metal ?

AFAIK, P-51D's had their wings painted silver (upper & under surfaces)
before delivery, while the fuselage remained with a natural metal
finish.

OTOH, I've seen some pics of WWII P-51D's with wings in natural metal
finish.

On a scale modelling forum, someone pointed out that "... the covering
on the wing was not very stable and started to peel so they just
removed it and that is why you see so many P-51D's with natural metal
wings".

Does that make any sense? Any other thoughts? Tks.
  #3  
Old July 12th 04, 07:22 PM
OXMORON1
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Art wrote:
Every one I ever saw had natural metal wings. And I saw a hell of a lot of
them


Well Art, you didn't see them all.
The P-51D came from the factory with the first part of the wing, about 50% of
chord IIRC, painted. The panel lines and fasteners under the paint were puttied
and sanded. This was done to preserve the qualities of the laminar flow
airfoil.
The paint was aluminum colored which probably gave you the impression of
natural metal.
At a later point in the production runs the putty and paint were deleted.
As most of the aircraft went through depot maintenance the paint was removed.
By the time the Air National Guard got the P/F-51s (1946 or 47) there was no
wing paint required.

Rick Clark
  #5  
Old July 12th 04, 09:14 PM
ian maclure
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Mon, 12 Jul 2004 20:11:06 +0000, ArtKramr wrote:

IBM

At a later point in the production runs the putty and paint were deleted.
As most of the aircraft went through depot maintenance the paint was removed.
By the time the Air National Guard got the P/F-51s (1946 or 47) there was no
wing paint required.

Rick Clark


You may be right. I saw most of them in the air around me as they were giving
us top cover.


One thing about natural metal finishes is thats its easier
to spot cracks.

IBM

__________________________________________________ _____________________________
Posted Via Uncensored-News.Com - Accounts Starting At $6.95 - http://www.uncensored-news.com
The Worlds Uncensored News Source

 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
VP-II wings available in Oregon, USA (Or, "How I was coconuted...") Roberto Waltman Home Built 2 October 29th 04 04:21 PM
Painting and air cooled motor? CitizenX Home Built 5 June 30th 04 12:47 PM
boyington natural metal corsair? old hoodoo Military Aviation 3 March 30th 04 01:18 AM
Drywall Gussets Veeduber Home Built 5 October 27th 03 10:03 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 03:26 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 AviationBanter.
The comments are property of their posters.