Ye Olde Rocket Forum - View Single Post - Soviet N1 Rocket Color Scheme

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdracer

I'm building my Really Koo Stuff N1 model, and I'm planning on how best to paint it.
As part of that, I'm trying to figure out what color the lower stages really were on the real thing. The best color photo I've come across looks green - almost an olive drab. But another shows the entire rocket a semi-gloss white, and yet another shows it white with greenish interstages.

I know they built at least four, so the paint schemes could certainly have been different. I think I'd pass on trying to duplicate the white with green interstages (it would be nightmare to properly recreate), but since this N1 is going to be a display model (at least initially - if I really like it, I'll probably build another - whichever one come out better will be the display model and the other become a flyer).

Anyone know more about how the real things were painted?

The Soviet rockets that look green and white are actually gray and white. The Vostok is another example besides the N1. A lot of tthe color pictures seem to have an odd color balance that makes the gray have a greenish tint.

I am planning to paint mine Panzer Gray, a Model Masters color, but it is no longer available. Another pretty good match is Krylon Chalky Finish Anvil Gray. I have models painted with both, and they look very similar.
Tamiya has a number of gray paints, and I am huge fan of their paints, but I have not sampled any of the grays.