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Memphis Belle Colors

Hi all,
I recently received an email from the restoration team leader at the National Museum of the USAF, who answered my questions about the colors used to restore the Memphis Belle. He noted: “Please note that these colors were picked to closely match the actual colors on the Memphis Belle on its final mission, so these represent in most cases faded colors.” I’d like to share this with the modeling community as I received it. While some details may still be open to interpretation, I think it helps add clarity as we strive for realism in our models. Here’s the gist of that email:

Exterior Colors:

Upper Surface
-Color Code: ANA 613 Olive Drab
-Description: Standard olive drab for upper surfaces.
Lower Surface
-Color Code: N5 Neutral Grey
-Description: Medium neutral grey for aircraft undersides.
Camouflage Patches
-Color Code: AN 612 Medium Green
-Description: Camouflage patches, typically on leading edges.
Vertical Tail
-Color Code: Munsell 7.5Y4/2 mixed with ANA 613
-Description: Custom-mixed, faded yellow-olive tone.
Control Surfaces (Upper)
-Color Code: Munsell 10Y5/2 Light Green
-Description: Faded, muted light green for upper control surfaces.
Control Surfaces (Lower)
-Color Code: N5 Neutral Grey
-Description: Matches lower surface color.
Insignia Blue
-Color Code: FS 35048 (Faded)
-Description: Faded dark blue used for insignia.
Insignia White
-Color Code: FS35630 Very Light Grey
-Description: Very light grey used in place of pure white for insignia.
Insignia Yellow (Tail Letters)
-Color Code: FS33538 Flat Yellow
-Description: Bright, flat yellow for tail markings.
Insignia Yellow (Waist Letters)
-Color Code: FS23538 Semi-Gloss Yellow
-Description: Semi-gloss yellow for waist markings.

Interior Colors:

Cockpit
-Color Code: Boeing Green
-Description: Darker green typical of Boeing aircraft interiors.
Bomb Bay
-Color Code: Light Grey Primer
-Description: Slightly lighter than N5 Neutral Grey.
Remaining Interior
-Color Code: Bare Aluminum
-Description: Bare aluminum finish for most interior areas.
Sound Insulation Fabric
-Color Code: Dark Green (similar to Boeing Green)
-Description: Dark green insulation fabric in several interior areas.
Zinc Chromate (Wing Areas)
-Color Code: Light Greenish-Yellow Zinc Chromate
-Description: Used in wing areas exposed to liquids.

I hope this is helpful for anyone interested in achieving an accurate, weathered finish on their models!