B-17 Bomber Paint Vs No Paint, Unexpected Results

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B-17 Bomber Paint Vs No Paint, Unexpected Results

Vid Description: The intent of this video is to review WWII B-17’s paint system and the advantages and disadvantages of paint vs. bare exterior surfaces.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=420fO_-u0nE[/ame]

 

[Rudi]

One of my most favorite WWII planes. Thanks for posting.

 

[Tom S.]

Very interesting!

 

[Retired W4]

My father was a B-17 pilot in WW II. He did not talk about it much.

As for the video, I thought that paint would weigh a lot more.
Also, it's amazing what a clean surface with flush rivets can do (the B-29).

 

[Greyman50]

Interesting video. Recall this from talking to many B-17 crewmen years ago at air shows where we displayed our collections. We got to go inside several B-17s as well as other bombers.
Thanks for,posting.

 

[sceva]

Paint is heavy, even after the volatile parts evaporate the dried coat is heavy. Reduce weight and you can increase range or payload. When I was with Mcdonnell Douglas many of the frame parts called for FR Prime ( Sickly green primer) and then a gloss white. There was a directive to reduce weight so the White paint was deleted from most parts unless actually needed.

 

[ZGrand]

My father was a B-17 pilot in WW II. He did not talk about it much.

Interesting video - thanks for posting.

I had an uncle who was a tail gunner on a B-17. He was the shortest and lightest on the crew so he got elected. He never talked about it, either.

 

[NYlakesider]

Paint is heavy, even after the volatile parts evaporate the dried coat is heavy. Reduce weight and you can increase range or payload. When I was with Mcdonnell Douglas many of the frame parts called for FR Prime ( Sickly green primer) and then a gloss white. There was a directive to reduce weight so the White paint was deleted from most parts unless actually needed.

Years back I believe it was American Airlines that did not paint their planes. Only paint used was on the numbers and letters used for identifying things (like the November number) They claimed a significant reduction in fuel used by not painting.

 

[djohns6]

So it appears that painted aircraft were more aerodynamic which more than offset the weight of the paint . Interesting .
My Dad was a Ball Turret Gunner on a B-17 and he had no problem talking about it . You had to ask though . He rarely brought it up himself . I had the honor of meeting 4 of his fellow crew members , along with one fellow that flew one mission as a temporary replacement . Sadly all of them are gone now .

 

[SMSgt]

Years back I believe it was American Airlines that did not paint their planes. Only paint used was on the numbers and letters used for identifying things (like the November number) They claimed a significant reduction in fuel used by not painting.

Truer today than with WWII-era aircraft construction. Aircraft are much "smoother" today, flush riveting and more aerodynamic designs.

 

[Truckman]

When I was with Mcdonnell Douglas many of the frame parts called for FR Prime ( Sickly green primer)

Working inside the missile launcher cavities, I kept a can of zinc chromate primer in my tool bag along with my speed handle, 9/16" deep socket, safety wire pliers and roll of .032" wire...Somebody else carried the torque wrench, but my elbow was calibrated......Ben

 

[Retired W4]

Working inside the missile launcher cavities, I kept a can of zinc chromate primer in my tool bag along with my speed handle, 9/16" deep socket, safety wire pliers and roll of .032" wire...Somebody else carried the torque wrench, but my elbow was calibrated......Ben

Helicopter mechs were pretty good with safety wire. It's every where.

 

[LVSteve]

I recall reading of special test aircraft in or just after WWII being coated with a special glazed putty to cover all the joints and smooth over surface imperfections. I cannot recall if this was on a Spitfire, Mustang or another high speed type and what speed advantage it gave. Seems like the B-17 paint was doing a similar job.


Today, if you told an airline CEO I can reduce your fuel burn by 3% with a paint job, he/she would be all over you in an instant.

 

[SMSgt]

Helicopter mechs were pretty good with safety wire. It's every where.

During an A&P course I took at a community college, I was accused of using "safety-wire pliers" on a task we had to complete. I had to re-safety numerous items on the task board in front of the instructors to prove I didn't "cheat" on the task. When they finally consented I knew how to safety wire items, they asked how. "I work on B-52s and KC-135s for a frigging living."

 

[MDF4]

I recall reading of special test aircraft in or just after WWII being coated with a special glazed putty to cover all the joints and smooth over surface imperfections. I cannot recall if this was on a Spitfire, Mustang or another high speed type and what speed advantage it gave. Seems like the B-17 paint was doing a similar job.


Today, if you told an airline CEO I can reduce your fuel burn by 3% with a paint job, he/she would be all over you in an instant.

Many years ago while pre-fighting a 744 with relatively new RSO he asked if I knew how much weight the paint added to the A/C. Told him I had no idea. He went onto add that a polished skin would be so much more attractive and probably would be a cost savings in terms of fuel consumption. I thought about it for a moment and reflected on when I would spend hours polishing the Ol'mans Globe/Swift. Cost savings in fuel consumption vs the man hours to polish the 74 air frame...? A heck of a lot more beautiful AC but no savings there.