Citabria/Decathlon Paint Schemes

Let me ask this out there for us that are getting closer to final paint, what size N numbers are you going with and if your staying with the small numbers under what provision can you escape the 12 inch rule after 1981? I was thinking there was a provision for Classic or antique but can't find any thing that states that. This is what I found :

Displaying a minimum-height N-number on a fixed-wing aircraft On an aircraft displaying 2-inch marks before November 1, 1981, and on aircraft manufactured between November 2, 1981, and January 1, 1983, you may display those marks until the aircraft is repainted or the marks are repainted, restored, or changed. Once the aircraft is repainted or the marks are repainted, restored, or changed, the N-number is required to be 12 inches high.
 
Since were on the pain numbers... who is using vinyl and who is painting? If painting did you find a source for layout or are you going to do layout yourself? I have found "nnumbers.com" which looks like my option so far.
 
Bruce said:
Since were on the pain numbers... who is using vinyl and who is painting? If painting did you find a source for layout or are you going to do layout yourself? I have found "nnumbers.com" which looks like my option so far.
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I am going with painted numbers (letters in my case - Canadian registration). My paint guy is old school. Has painted a/c for 40+ years, so I'm happy with that! But on the question of letter/number size--. I think it makes a difference if you have letters on the bottom of the wings. If you do, then 6" on the tail or fuselage will do--if not, then 12". I may be wrong, or maybe that's just a Canadian thing. More research to do...….
 
Something decidedly not traditional on that "Goodyear" bird. (Posted before I saw page 2)

I was joking - Canuck asked us to tell him he was wrong, so I did. There is no "correct" way to do this - it is a hobby, and discretion belongs to the builder.

I lean toward simpler paint schemes, and my Dec remains in the complicated starburst because I am doing other things of more interest. That, and spray painting is no longer easy to do unless you do a couple square feet at a time and keep your eyes peeled.
 
I did not see Canuck's green and yellow photo when I last posted. Now that one is striking! I may save it in my photos!
 
Bob Turner said:
I would appreciate that - use the first link, and fill it in this way:
Red Red Red Yellow Yellow Black. Chrome Spinner.

The Red is Corvette Red - I bet that is a standout in urethane! If I spray, I will just use Pontiac Red Butyrate.
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Here you go
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There is a company named Aero Graphics that can supply masks for any paint scheme you could dream up (including custom jobs). They can also supply N number masks that make getting the numbers perfect...
If you do decide on small N numbers per 45.21(b) 30 year rule remember aircraft that don't have 12" numbers are prohibited from ADIZ as well as special use airspace. That might affect the re-sale in the future. If it isn't a real antique or a warbird I'd personally stick with big numbers...done correctly they can actully complement a paint job.
Chris
 
This is probably a dumb question - what is "special use airspace?" Oil Burner routes? Alert areas?
 
Bob Turner said:
This is probably a dumb question - what is "special use airspace?" Oil Burner routes? Alert areas?
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Bob, the only thing I could come up with is offshore military routes or maybe border/customs areas? I know that flying in the Caribbean you had to have 12" numbers.

Bartman, the masks Aero Graphics masks are so complete that, if done as the instructions dictate, ALL pin stripes, back shading and outlining is done with paint. With almost no other masking required.
I'll attach a pic or two of the RV 9 we shot last summer using the Aero Graphics system if you'd like.
Chris
 
Bartman said:
cool Ed!

when the time comes I want to also see about a Mopar purple or a cool green color. I don't want it to kill resale value and it will be the factory layout but I want to see about something funky and loud/bright in the color choice
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Bartman said:
is that how people are doing the starburst nowadays? and vinyl tape for the striping I'm guessing?
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When I was at the factory I saw their paint booth. They actually have a sheet metal template cut out for starbursts. I think they use the template to trim their masking tape.

I used the thin film precut mask from Spruce to paint my N numbers. Tricky to use but it came out pretty good. Trim lines were masked and painted with good old fashioned masking tape laid out with string.

The key to clean lines is shooting a clear coat on the tape to seal the edges before shooting color. That prevents bleeding.
 
No not mine, it was flying around while I was on fire duty at the airport, I've never seen a "Mopar Purple" as you describe so I snapped a few shots.
 
sipping coffee while the dogs are still sleeping here on the US east coast, been leaning towards solid white with blue starburst and gray trim but found this factory scheme that carries the gray onto the belly to make it a three color scheme. :unsure: my crazy ass alternate scheme is still in the running but it's going on an RC Citabria before it ever touches the real thing! for now I think I like the blue/white

1635079220957.png
 
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