lucky52 wrote:
Were the B-17 bomb bays painted gray or does it just look that way?
It's Neutral Gray, same color as the underside, which is correct. For the most part, B-17 Bomb Bays were either either Neutral Gray (most camouglaged aircraft) or left bare metal. Note that the only other color used inside the Belle is the correct Dull Dark Green. We're used to seeing restored warbirds painted light "Interior Green" (often referred to as "Zinc Chromate Green") mostly because restored warbirds require the paint for long-term protection and corrosion control, but this isn't correct for a wartime Fort. My friend Karl Hauffe (who wrenched on Sentimental Journey and consulted on the Belle's restoration) explored the Belle in Memphis back in 1979, back before any restoration work was ever done..his photos comfirm that the bomb bay was neutral gray. During her first restoration in the early 80s, the Belle was sprayed "Interior Green" inside from nose to tail. The USAF Museum restoration staff stripped here back to bare metal inside and out, and started over.
Here are a couple of Karl's photos of the Belle's Bomb Bay, taken in 1979 when the interior was still 100% original (although heavilly stripped and vandalized.) The original Neutral Gray is still quite visible.
SN
SN