Dear Bruce,
Many thanks for providing this information! Would you by any chance have a web display of your collection of Lindberghiana? That would be most interesting to see!
Meanwhile, with the information provided by others, Shrike in particular, could we now regard it as settled that the interior of the Spirit should be canvas coloured?
Shrike also provided invaluable information as to the colour of the tubular steel framework:
Quote:
Fokker who pioneers steel tube frames used a clear lacquer mixed with lampblack giving a translucent grey finish. It was ineffective, so rust appeared quickly.
Red-oxide primers, oil and lacquer were common followed by, but not replaced by, zinc chromates by the late 1920's. Silver (aluminium) lacquer and bituminous paints were also used where corrosion was likely to be a problem.
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To judge between the alternatives, here are a few samples from the Spirit of St. Louis galleries here on the site:
[Click on the thumbnails to get to the galleries]
The two first photos are from the Smithsonian Spirit. They indicate a greyish finish, possibly with a hint of yellow in it (but that may be the lighting).
The third photo is one of many similar from the construction of the Spirit in San Diego. They do not contradict the modern colour photos.
The fourth and last image is from the Old Rhinebeck replica. They have chosen light grey as representative for their replica, which seems to corroborate the choice of grey as appropriate when modelling the tubular structure.
I could have wished for a blueish-black deep steel colour, but there you go - the reality is is what it is.
Note from the third photo, that the greyish colour was dissolved, or at least blackened at the spots where the wooden stringers were attached. Varnish from treating the wood dissolving the lampblack mixture on the steel tubes?
Note also from the second photo, that the tank, rudder pedals, etc. was painted in the same greyish colour. The inside of the door, however, is most probably silver dope, like the exterior, right?
Leif