SPA Modeler

Tom, I just went through the same confusing exercise when I built a 1/72 Dauntless. M-485 was a spec that covered both upper and lower colors. I used Pollyscale Blue Grey because I had it and AK M-485 Light Grey on the SBD, AK also has the M-485 Blue Grey.

I don't recall Tom but I'd guess Gunze H56 intermediate blue over a black base.

What's been done thus far...







Now onward to what the instruction guide say to paint white on main landing gears, wheel wells, doors, inside of cowls, etc...

After researching further on what other Wildcat kits assign them to be; ie: Eduard, it designated as light grey. Other cases, flat gull grey, IJN Grey, depending on what kit brand assigns them.

Even googling other model forums and reading what others have to say. I even googled information on F4F Wildcats. Opinions vary.

In this case, I chose to use Imperial Navy Grey. Undersides also varies from Light Grey, IJN Grey, Flat Gull Grey, and other shades. I will get using the same Imperial Navy Grey instead.



Inner framework for landing gear wheelwell. This assembly was a bit of a challenge. Used Testors tube glue. Super glue on smaller framework in middle attached to V frame.



Main landing gear consists of 3 parts. Not too complicated to do. Super glue was used. I need to paint back side of framework before painting the black of lower areas of landing gear.




I have settled on the Blue Grey for overall fuselage color. Looking through my Paint List of my stash, I realized I had Model Master Navy Blue Grey; which is also used for WW2 RAF aircrafts.

Here's my paint samples on scrap styrene sheet; left to right:

AKInteractive Real Colors M-485 Blue Grey
Model Master Navy Blue Grey - this is the color I've decided to go with
Model Master 5-N Navy Blue

jeaton01 wrote: ↑Thu Jul 11, 2024 6:09 pm Tom, I just went through the same confusing exercise when I built a 1/72 Dauntless. M-485 was a spec that covered both upper and lower colors. I used Pollyscale Blue Grey because I had it and AK M-485 Light Grey on the SBD, AK also has the M-485 Blue Grey.

That's the color I'm expecting to be using Model Master Navy Blue Green over black base.

How I wished I should gave grabbed a bunch of Pollyscale at the last LHS in my area had left, plus a few Model Master colors too.

When it was new, the Blue Gray was quite blue in color. But on aircraft with extended service lives, it faded and grayed out…

Come on man! You are not really using a IJN color on a F4F are you ?

There's no evidence exactly what shade of light grey the Wildcat used; a lot of debates as well.

So yeah, I'm using it not because it's Imperial Navy Grey/IJN Grey but as my choice of Light Grey for the undersides. Why not? It looks correct to my eye - not too dark, not too light... juuuuust right.

Here's my reasoning:
Flat Gull Grey has brown tint, Neutral Grey seem a bit too dark for me, Camo Grey is waay too light.

The light gray is gonna be the same as used on the rest of the USN/USMC aircraft of that time. It was applied at the factory to Navy Bureau of Aeronautics Specs.

Looks like the AK Blue Grey would be good for fading areas of the Model Master. Just looking at the bottom of the bottles, my Model Master Blue Grey is a bit darker than the Pollyscale.

jeaton01 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 12, 2024 12:59 pm Looks like the AK Blue Grey would be good for fading areas of the Model Master. Just looking at the bottom of the bottles, my Model Master Blue Grey is a bit darker than the Pollyscale.

I agree AK Blue Grey would be good for fading areas. I’m thinking of experimenting using both to see if I can do some fading technique. It’s funny how one brand can be darker than another brand. Some brands can be waaaay off in terms of shades. It depends on what look you’re looking for on the subject.