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DaveM2 25th August 2021 11:45

P-51D Paint Process
 
All

Were P-51D-20-NA Mustangs painted (in a general sense) at the factory, or did they just receive national markings and some form of protective lacquer prior to being shipped / delivered to fighter groups?
(I know they were all 'cocooned' prior to embarking on ships)

Particularly interested in those heading to the ETO.

TIA
Dave

Revi16 25th August 2021 16:16

Re: P-51D Paint Process
 
Not sure which paint you are referring to? The wings (or laminar flow portion) were painted silver, but the fuselage was bare aluminum. The National markings, stencils and anti-glare panel were applied at the factory.

Anything else would be Depot or Squadron level.

Factory Fresh -5NA, -10NA
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tvRa1s-gI...g_44-13366.jpg
https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.c...g_44-14214.jpg

Buckeye30 25th August 2021 17:11

Re: P-51D Paint Process
 
2 Attachment(s)
Revi. This is the special wing treatment for P-51s, the photo shows the primed areas; final finish was sprayed aluminized lacquer over the grey primer. The heat-resistant panels round the exhausts didn't require treatment and usually look darker. Fabric surfaces were aluminized dope, rest of airframe aluminized lacquer ( min. 2 coats) or 1 coat camouflage.

Nick

Revi16 25th August 2021 22:17

Re: P-51D Paint Process
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckeye30 (Post 309649)
Revi. This is the special wing treatment for P-51s, the photo shows the primed areas; final finish was sprayed aluminized lacquer over the grey primer. The heat-resistant panels round the exhausts didn't require treatment and usually look darker. Fabric surfaces were aluminized dope, rest of airframe aluminized lacquer ( min. 2 coats) or 1 coat camouflage.

Nick


Great diagram that shows "wing prep". Aluminized lacquer (silver paint) wasn't sprayed on rest of airframe.
http://147084544c678448852d-ddcc5320...971.1612224268

Broncazonk 26th August 2021 02:57

Re: P-51D Paint Process
 
Great question. Excellent thread. I hope more information is out there.

The early P-51Bs that went to the ETO were all green. By the time the 'D's arrived the bare aluminum Mustangs were the norm. Was this a, "weight of the paint" calculation that drove the change or was it a rush to get the aircraft shipped?

Thanks!

Bronc

Buckeye30 26th August 2021 17:22

Re: P-51D Paint Process
 
2 Attachment(s)
Revi. These are 2 sections from the P-51D/K/Mustang IV manual, you should be able to read the relevant paragraphs; I always thought most of the exterior was a mix of aluminized lacquer and aluminium paste.
Let me know what you think would you.
Thanks
Nick

Revi16 26th August 2021 20:26

Re: P-51D Paint Process
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckeye30 (Post 309697)
Revi. These are 2 sections from the P-51D/K/Mustang IV manual, you should be able to read the relevant paragraphs; I always thought most of the exterior was a mix of aluminized lacquer and aluminium paste.
Let me know what you think would you.
Thanks
Nick


I'm not sure if we are talking about the same things or not? My point was that the exterior surfaces of alclad (fuselage, etc) do not require any coating. (The alcad of the aluminum is the coating.)

The asterisk written in pencil on both of your documents appear to explain just that.

Buckeye30 27th August 2021 16:55

Re: P-51D Paint Process
 
Thanks Revi. What confuses is "Exception 1" referring to 2S, 3S, 52S and 53S as not requiring treatment, are these fuselage stations ? ---as above this is a note about Alclad and primer.

I know that Spec. 3-100F (Oct. 9 1935) includes " no additional paint coating required on exterior surfaces of Alclad skin". T.O 07-1-1 ( Dec.26 1943) says-
"The exterior of metal fuselages and metal airfoils do not ordinarily require paint as a protection against corrosion".
So you are quite right in your last comment and I apologise for mine.



Nick

Revi16 27th August 2021 20:32

Re: P-51D Paint Process
 
1 Attachment(s)
Quote:

Originally Posted by Buckeye30 (Post 309741)
Thanks Revi. What confuses is "Exception 1" referring to 2S, 3S, 52S and 53S as not requiring treatment, are these fuselage stations ? ---as above this is a note about Alclad and primer.

I know that Spec. 3-100F (Oct. 9 1935) includes " no additional paint coating required on exterior surfaces of Alclad skin". T.O 07-1-1 ( Dec.26 1943) says-
"The exterior of metal fuselages and metal airfoils do not ordinarily require paint as a protection against corrosion".
So you are quite right in your last comment and I apologise for mine.



Nick


"Exception 1: Exterior surfaces of alcad, 2S, 3S, 52S, 53S require no primer....."

Aclad is aluminum. 2S, 3S, 52S, 53S are types of stainless steel, nothing to do with fuselage stations. As an example, stainless steel panels were used around the exhaust manifolds, inside landing gear doors.


http://www.ipmsstockholm.se/home/wp-..._p51_e_011.jpg

Buckeye30 30th August 2021 15:52

Re: P-51D Paint Process
 
1 Attachment(s)
Thanks Revi, much appreciated.
I found this in the P-51A manual, the codes show "s" for steel parts as you say.
Regards
Nick


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