PAINT SCHEME DHC-1 CHIPMUNK
 

Hello,
Who can tell me what are RAL's color palette references of the RAF paint scheme 1973, concerning the DHC-1 CHIPMUNK?
Red, white and grey light.
Thank.

Try the `Flypast ` forums,`historic ` threads,and look for the Chipmunk question...on `keypublishing`

Thank you!

WZ877:

I can't help with the precise colour matches, but when my Chipmunk "box of bits" arrived here in 1996 there were FOUR shades of red present on the airframe!

Also, if you're talking about 1973 then you're looking at the first, less common, permutation of the Red/White/Light Grey scheme. This comprised the red/white fuselage; wingroots panels, wing leading edge, wingtip in red with all fabric areas grey; tailplane is red but elevators in grey. Only a few RAF Chipmunks wore this scheme, whereas the entire fleet eventually ended up in the post 74 scheme (wing outer panels red and elevators red, wingroots grey).

Perhaps this explains it better (but note that the shadow hides the upper aircraft's red wingroots)

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...g/chippies.jpg

Thank you Dora!
Mine is like the one with the code J!

Another suggestion
 

Go onto the Hannants website and see if you can get hold of one of the old Modeldecal decal sheets for the Chippie. From memory it was on one of the older sheets. Their references were excellent, usually based on personal observation and use of BS381 colour swatches.

Hope this helps a bit

Thank you!
I didn't found, my search is for a true aircraft; not for a model.

WZ877 - as a self-confessed Chipmunk pedant, a few more thoughts.

1. In 1973 your aircraft just may have had the scheme depicted on "J". The scheme was introduced by H.307 in 1973, but as aircraft were only repainted when their condition required it, it may not have carried this scheme in that year. It's really hard to tell the two schemes apart in most B&W photos - the wingroots are the clue.

2. I'm not sure, but I read this as you wanting to paint the aircraft as it was in 1973? Bear in mind that the stencils changed throughout the aircraft's life (e.g. the NATO "hook" lifting point symbol didn't appear until much later), I'm still trying to pin down a date for the halved black/white spinner and the white striped blades (certainly not in 1973) and all Chipmunks carried underwing serials until at least 1983.

3. Assuming your Chipmunk is currently in its RAF markings, photograph/measure all markings before it's stripped. I'm always amazed at restorations that fail to replicate markings accurately - incorrectly styled serials are a common error.

Hope this helps!

Hello Dora,
There is a world betwen my mind and how I can translate it.
I have made a lot of pictures before remove the fabric cover and delete the paint! I just want to know the references of the paint. The current references with the RAL system. I have a result with a paint color chart, but I don't want make mistakes, that's why I ask to the honorable assembly. Sorry for my bad english, google translator help me, but when I see the result when a British use Google translator to write in french, I have a doubt.

Bite the bullet and paint it in this scheme instead:

http://www.na3t.org/images/photos/air/AG11440.jpg

Hello Dave,
Thank you for the board. This picture show WZ 877 when she was at the Bomber Command, with a hook to tow glider. Nice picture!

Dora and WZ, I refer you back to the thread on `Flypast`,as there are drawings added later,and further comments...use the `Search` ,as the thread is not on the front 2 pages.

Is this the thread you're referring to?

Two part Chipmunk question. - Key Publishing Ltd Aviation Forums

IT is ,Graeme.. alot of knowledgeable chaps there who will know a man who knows,if you know what I think you know..!!

I'm sure there was an official colour for the RAF training scheme, but I suspect the exact specification was sometimes down to the supplier. I base my comments on flying RAF training aircraft for about 8 years as a student and instructor. The Jet Provosts and Chipmunks I flew were quite a dark red. But later, when instructing on Chipmunks, the ones coming back from major servicing seemed to have been painted in a more vivid red with a slight hint of orange. The Tucanos supplied from Shorts were a different shade altogether with a brighter colour than the JPs.

There are a lot of factors - for example paint technology and regulations as to what goes into paint can change. Also, red pigment is less UV stable than others so the colour will change over time - the JPs longest out of major serviving had noticeable fade. Plus you need to realise any colour image of aircraft won't necessarily give an accurate representaiton due to film differences and/or digital reporduction.

WZ 877,

Have you looked at the "Caledonian Chipmunks" web site?? They have a section on there with a lot of photgraphs that may answer your question.

A rather quiet site but a lot of well informed people use it and it may help you.

Speedbird 48.

Hi all,
I think my request was too vague in English. What I seek is the reference of the colors on the RAL.
RAL is a system used for defining standard colors for paint and coatings.

WZ877

Can I ask why you specifically want a RAL reference? The aircraft would have originally been painted using the British BS381-range of colours which is still in use today.

Light Aircraft Grey: BS381C-627

White: White!

Black: Matt or semi-matt black for the anti-dazzle panel.

Fuselage: Signal Red: BS381C-537

Bright Roundel Blue: BS381C-110

Roundels: Post Office Red (alternatively called Cherry Red): BS381C-538.

Regarding fluorescent paint, by 1973 this would not have been painted on but stuck on using strips of "Scotchcal" fluorescent film produced by 3M. It is still available but, as with most fluorescent colours, it fades for a past-time. If you were looking at painting it then RAL 841-GL 2005 is Fluorescent Red/Orange which is a close match.

But fluorescent markings were more associated with the earlier Light Aircraft Grey overall scheme than the later red/white/grey scheme.

Hope that helps.

Regards

Lee

Thank you!
WZ is in red/white/grey scheme.
Is there a correlation table between the BS and the RAL?

[Quote]Hello Dave,
Thank you for the board. This picture show WZ 877 when she was at the Bomber Command, with a hook to tow glider. Nice picture! [Unquote]

I think you'll find that photo was taken in the mid-60s at Little Rissington when the aircraft was with the Central Flying School. It later joined the CFS Skylarks aerobatic team in 1969-70.