Author Topic: Saturn V shades of white (Read 11406 times)

robertlundin · « **on:** 09/07/2014 11:58 am »

Hello, I am in the process of painting the 1/72 scale Dragon kit of the Saturn V of the Apollo 11 mission. When looking at pictures of the it seems that there were different shades of white even off white used on different parts of the stack. The isolated smooth segments are pure white, whereas the corrugated parts (and others) are off white, even light sand colour.
Could somebody please enlighten me on this?

Thanx in advance!

Robert Lundin
Aircraft Walkaround Center
http://aircraftwalkaround.hobbyvista.com/

mheney · « **Reply #1 on:** 09/07/2014 01:19 pm »

if you're looking at a fueled rocket, some of the difference may be due to ice formation on the LOX and LH2 tanks (i.e,. everything but the first stage kero tank (at the bottom of the S-IC.). As for actual paint color differences, I've never heard about that ...

muomega0 · « **Reply #2 on:** 09/07/2014 01:39 pm »

Why was the Saturn V painted white? - Thermal Control and Roll Rate

robertlundin · « **Reply #3 on:** 09/07/2014 10:05 pm »

I have have indicated the slight variances from pure white in the following images. Can it be due to icing?

Ronpur50 · « **Reply #4 on:** 09/07/2014 11:30 pm »

That shading is probably do to the shadows between stringers, and not paint shades. You could paint them slightly different shades to match that effect if you wanted. The real deal at KSC is all one big gloss white from my observations.

Ronpur50 · « **Reply #5 on:** 09/07/2014 11:38 pm »

Although, that area in the S-II/S-IVB interstage in your last picture does appear to have a different shade of white.

And I know the first vehicle (SA-501) had the black roll markings removed on part of the S-IC stage, so it did have different shades.

mvpel · « **Reply #6 on:** 09/08/2014 02:33 am »

http://cs.finescale.com/mobile/forums/thread.aspx?ThreadID=127965

But on the other hand...

http://www.warpedplastic.co.uk/aircraft/articles-reviews/scalecolour-rant.htm

tetrox · « **Reply #7 on:** 09/08/2014 05:39 am »

I think one has to bear in mind that the huge vehicles stages were built by three separate contractors each of which painted their own product .Even with the same colour specification there were bound to be local variations as well as the effects of exposure to the environments during transportation test firings and considerable periods exposed to the elements etc.The stringer areas with each producing a shadowing effect appear darker and I have a photo somewhere of the Apollo 11 S1VB third stage being repainted at KSC. Photographs also show slight variations on the S11 second stage between earlier and the later spray on insulation used.At least one of the earlier vehicles had black first stage markings partially painted over due to temperature requirements.
The Saturn V at KSC was refurbished and repainted in essentially one go in one place so whilst gleaming white probably doesnt truly resemble a flight vehicle.

JMS · « **Reply #8 on:** 09/08/2014 06:12 am »

One of the best reference pages for modeling the Saturns:
http://www.apollosaturn.com

Ronpur50 · « **Reply #9 on:** 09/08/2014 02:16 pm »

Quote from: mvpel on 09/08/2014 02:33 am

http://cs.finescale.com/mobile/forums/thread.aspx?ThreadID=127965

But on the other hand...

http://www.warpedplastic.co.uk/aircraft/articles-reviews/scalecolour-rant.htm

I have read about scale effect before, and I have observed with the space shuttle, the tiles appear black from a distance, say photos of the launch pad or flying approach to landing. But when you see it in hi-res during it's flip on approach to ISS or stand under Atlantis, they are many shades of grey, black or even almost white. So, it looks different based on the scale distance you are from the object. A 1/72 Saturn V would have you closer than a 1/144th scale version and you can adjust your painting shades to match.

Also, there are difference on each Saturn V, so make sure you are looking at the same vehicle. It evolved over time, with ullage rockets being eliminated and the S-II stage changing how the insulation was laid out.

Not sure what the second link has, it set off my Avast! as a threat.

Ronpur50 · « **Reply #10 on:** 09/08/2014 02:33 pm »

Quote from: JMS on 09/08/2014 06:12 am

One of the best reference pages for modeling the Saturns:
http://www.apollosaturn.com

This is a great reference! In all the years I have been painting roll patterns, I never thought to paint the base color after masking to seal the tape to prevent the black from leaking under!

I would also get a set of David Weeks' Saturn V plans from Realspace models. They show so many details and markings, as well as the differences between each vehicle.

mvpel · « **Reply #11 on:** 09/09/2014 02:18 am »

The second link is a rant against scale color.

robertlundin · « **Reply #12 on:** 09/14/2014 03:45 pm »

Thank you all for comments and input.
It seems the overall white is a very slight off white (will look lik pure white in day light any way), and some areas were very light cream white. The undercoat (??) may perhaps explain the variations seen on the third stage.

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n62/robertlundin/s83-45406_011.jpg

http://s109.photobucket.com/user/robertlundin/media/Saturn_V_launchesdestinations.jpg