Summary: Information film focusing on the importance of achieving a good paint finish on an aircraft.
Description: Reel 1: Importance of a high quality of paint finish on the aerodynamics of aircraft. Crew of Lancaster W4199 KM•H return from mission. Paint peeling from under wing made their A/C easy to spot by AA defences. Poor paint finish on Spitfire highlighted. Correct method of paint removal demonstrated. Preparing surface for repainting. Primer coat application.
Reel 2: Importance of cleaning equipment after use. Setting sprayer pressure. Correct spraying method demonstrated. For high speed aircraft, process of filling rivet heads, joint gaps etc prior to painting. Liquid filler sprayed onto leading edge. “Guide coat” applied to assist with rubbing down filler. Wash down.
Reel 3: - Touching up any exposed metal after rubbing down prior to camo coat application. Recap of process using diagrammatic animation. Applying camouflage using predrawn chalk lines to shown pattern. Painting roundels. Hand polishing or mechanical buffing to achieve a smooth finish, not a high gloss. Shot of completed Spitfire Mk IX “J•UZ” (No. 306 (City of Torun) Polish Fighter Squadron). Airman climbing onto wing damages paint necessitating repair to paint. Spitfire “RF•Z” (No. 303 ("Kościuszko") Polish Fighter Squadron) shown. Painting high speed wooden aircraft (Mosquito II DD731 “VY•D” - No. 249 (Gold Coast) Squadron RAF?) explained. Red dope applied to plywood then cotton fabric applied, again using red dope. Aluminium dope sprayed onto panel to waterproof prior to camouflage coat application. Surfaces degreased and lightly rubbed down. Camouflage colours applied and roundels. Smooth surface importance. Tips on painting recapped.
Alternative Title:
Colour:B&W
Digitised:
Object_Number:AMY 390
Sound:Silent
Access Conditions:
Featured Period:1939-1945
Production Date:1944
Production Country: GB
Production Details: ROYAL AIR FORCE (Production sponsor)
Guild House Films (Production company)
