Re: [CBQ] Variation in the Grays in the Blackbird Scheme

["Michael Woodruff mwoodruff54@gmail.com [CBQ]" <CBQ@yahoogroups.com>]

FWIW, I have an old Microscale 87-15 decal sheet where they list Badger Accuflex (now Modelflex 16-51) Erie Lackawanna gray for the Blackbird scheme gray, and Accuflex (now Modelflex 16-39) SP Lettering gray for the Chinese red scheme gray.  The SP lettering gray is quite a bit lighter than the EL gray.  What's interesting is that Modelflex also lists 16-154 as CB&Q gray.  It's in between the other two grays, but probably closer to the darker EL color.

Nelson's point about lighting is well taken.  I have found that the paint color which is "correct," may not (and probably will not) look 

"right" under typical indoor layout lighting conditions.  I have used Testors Modelmaster 1730 Flat Gull Gray on several Blackbird scheme units, and while it may not be "correct," it looks "right," at least to me.

There was probably some variation in the prototype gray colors as well - not every batch of gray paint is going to be exactly the same, and older units are going to have their gray colors fade and lighten with time.  Nelson's roster of Blackbirds may be more prototypical than he realizes!

msw

largofl

On Sun, Sep 4, 2016 at 2:54 PM, 'John Trulson' norskeviking@msn.com [CBQ] <CBQ@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 



I noted on Tru-Colors list of colors due next year consist of CB&Q gray #1, CB&Q gray #2 and CB&Q #3. They also list which each of the colors belong on which locomotive. Should prove interesting.

----- Original Message -----

From: rgortowski@aol.com [CBQ]

To: CBQ@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Sunday, September 04, 2016 8:55 AM

Subject: Re: [CBQ] Variation in the Grays in the Blackbird Scheme

 

Nelson,

Thanks!  That is a great reference!  It really emphasizes your point - Fifty shades of Grey...

Rich G

-----Original Message-----
From: 'Nelson Moyer' ku0a@mchsi.com [CBQ] <CBQ@yahoogroups.com>
To: CBQ <CBQ@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sun, Sep 4, 2016 10:50 am
Subject: [CBQ] Variation in the Grays in the Blackbird Scheme [1 Attachment]

 

[Attachment(s) from Nelson Moyer included below]

I lined up my blackbirds for a photograph of the tops to show the variation within and between manufacturers in the colors and shades of gray. The order from top left to right is:

 

 

Row 1

P2K SD-7 (superdetailed), Model Flex CB&Q Gray

P2K GP-7 (superdetailed), Model Flex CB&Q Gray

Bowser/Stewart VO-1000, Model Flex CB&Q Gray

Bowser/Stewart VO-1000, Factory Paint

 

Row 2

BLI SW-7, Factory Paint

Bachman S-2, Factory Paint

BLI SD-7, Factory Paint

BLI SD-7, Factory Paint

 

Row 3

BLI NW-2, Factory Paint

Walthers Mainline SW-1, Factory Paint

P2K SW-7, Factory Paint

 

The photo was taken without fill flash under 5000K fluorescent lighting (CRI 86). I cropped the photo and posted it as a high resolution file so you can zoom in to really see the color variations. Not the differences between and within manufacturers. To my eye and under my lights, Model Flex CB&Q Gray most closely resembles photos of motors painted in the blackbird scheme. Bowser/Stewart comes closest to that color. The rest are mostly too dark except Bachman, which is too light and yellowish. The recent P2K issues are to bluish.

 

These data illustrate the need for color standards for Q locomotive paint colors.

 

Nelson Moyer

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Posted by: Michael Woodruff <mwoodruff54@gmail.com>

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