Aircraft Paint 2024 SOW (V5).pdf

914th Air Refueling Wing Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station

STATEMENT OF Work

914 ARW/HO

Base Air Park

Requirement is to Paint and Detail Static Display Aircraft

Airplane painting with environmentally friendly paint, meeting Air Force Museum color specifications

21 Feb 2024

Objective: The Air Refueling Wing requires the awarded contractor to have experience painting static display aircraft, and to have experience following color, design, and marking specifications outlined by the US Air Force Historical Requirements provided by the National Museum of the Air Force and or the Air Force Reserve Command Historian. This Statement of Work (SOW) is for the painting and detailing of one of five historical property assets loaned to the 914th Air Refueling Wing. The contractor will properly prep, sand, prime, and paint the C-47 static display aircraft.

Purpose: To paint and detail (therefore preventing/slowing corrosion deterioration) one C-47 Static display Aircraft

Picture and Dimensions: See attached documents.

Scope of Work: The contractor shall provide all management, tools, supplies, equipment (to include lifts and or ladders, and all safety equipment), parts, labor, preparation and containment materials, paint, and transportation necessary to provide the following:

• Paint the C-47 aircraft in accordance with environmental safety requirements; in addition to following the color scheme outlined by the National Museum of the Air Force.

• Shall ensure the painting is done neatly and represents the aircraft in a historically accurate manner.

o Paint runs; painting surfaces such as windows wheels, and or -21 equipment (ground safety devices colored red); heavy painting of hinges and or closures shall not be permitted.

o Shall contain all paint splatter/spray by using drop cloths and shielding if required.

o This aircraft is not outfitted with bird proofing materials.

o The Nose art “Tonto” will be repainted by the contractor.

• Shall ensure all markings are appropriate and meet the Air Force Specifications for the Aircraft and its period.

Painting and Detailing Requirements:

• Bidding contractors shall provide a list of aircraft painted in the past, with the location of the static display aircraft (it is not necessary to provide point of contact at pervious job sights).

• Details may be vinyl or painted. Vinyl details shall be clear coated to prevent premature weathering. Painted details should be applied utilizing stencils, and will be crisp, properly sized, and properly aligned at completion.

• Prior to cleaning and paint removal, the area under the aircraft will be tarped to contain paint chips for proper disposal.

• Surface contamination will be removed through the use of high-pressure washer utilizing water only.

• After sufficient drying time, existing paint will be scraped and sanded to a feather edge, peeled or otherwise to ensure defective paint is removed, and to properly scuff surface in preparation for paint application.

o Care will be taken by the contractor during this task in order to protect the ground underneath and around the aircraft from negative environmental impact.

o At the end of each day or prior to rain events, paint chips collected on the tarps will be swept up and placed into properly labeled drums provided by the awarded contractor. Drums must meet contamination containment requirements and shall have a lid that is secured by a pressure band.

o Tarps should be reused to the greatest extent possible to reduce the amount of waste generated from this project.

o All paint chips will be managed and disposed of in accordance with Federal, State, and Local requirements.

Waste shall be collected, characterized (sampled), and disposed of off the installation in accordance with Federal, State, local, and Air Force Regulations. Analytical results shall be submitted to 914 MSG/CEV for review. 914 MSG/CEV shall be coordinated with prior to disposal of the waste off-base by the Contractor.

o All other waste (paint, rags, single use tools, debris, etc.), and any wastewater must be collected and properly disposed of by the contractor off the installation in accordance with Federal, State, Local, and Air Force regulations.

o The contractor will meet with 914 MSG/CEV prior to starting work.

o If any corrosion/metal deterioration is discovered, it will be removed and repaired prior to paint application.

Notify the Historical Property Custodian so repair work can be expedited by 914th Air Refueling Wing Technicians, or the Historical Property Custodians.

• The aircraft is to be painted in its current paint scheme with all current and identified insignias and markings.

o Insignias and markings (i.e. stars, bars, tail number, etc) will be repainted in the same size, color and location as they are currently.

o Stenciling will be reapplied (or applied) in the proper location and in the proper scale/size/font, and shall be painted on.

o Vinyl will be permitted as long as the vinyl is clear coated to prevent premature weathering.

• The aircraft engines and landing gear will be painted as well.

• The windows will be prepped to prevent paint runs and or damage to the window wrapping that is to remain intact and installed.

• Any other unpainted surfaces (landing, taxi lights, navigation, position lights, tires, etc.) shall be masked off and protected from paint overrun.

• Primer (LICP 200 Industrial primer or better) will be applied to ensure solid paint application.

• The color coats will be Industrial Catalyzed Urethane type paint or better.

o The contractor must obtain wet mil thickness of 4.0-4.5 mils.

o One coat applied in two medium wet passes may be adequate to satisfy mil specification. If not, a second coat will be applied.

• A minimum of two coats of semi-gloss or flat clear coat (Valspar or other quality clear coat) will be applied to add UV protection. Clear coat shall be approved by the Historical Property Custodian.

• Paint application depends on chemical composition of the paint and clear coat used.

All paints and primers containing hazardous air pollutants (HAPS) and or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) cannot be sprayed and must be applied by rolling or brushing.

• All SDS’s and quantities expected to be used must be provided to the Installation Bio-environmental flight (Industrial Hygienists) and 914 MSG/CEV prior to the start of the work.

Impact:

• The intent of awarding this contract is to slow down the deterioration of the structure of the static display aircraft. It is also the intent to restore the aircraft to an esthetically pleasing and professional appearance that represents the heritage of the aircraft and the historic mission of the 914th Air Refueling Wing (former Air Lift Wing).

C-47 Skytrain Specification Sheet

Wing Span: 95 ft.

Length: 64 feet, 5.5 inches Height: 17 feet

Landing gear: tricycle -tail dragger, rear steer.

Powerplant: Twin P&W R-1830-S1C3-G propeller Registration Number:

Years of Service with the 328th: 1944-1945 Assignment: 1st Combat Cargo Group Campaigns: China-Burma-India Sept 1944 to Nov 1945

Paint Codes:

Main Body Olive Drab (FS34088) Black Accents – leading edge of vertical stabilator Under Belly Grey (FS36173) Wing accents Medium Grey (FS34092) Stars and Bars (is a dark blue color) Stenciling – we will pull some specification from the NMUSAF. Awaiting Technical guidance.

Propellers and tips of propellers – Propellers are black with yellow or yellow- orange tips

Niagara Falls Air Park C-47 Re-Paint Project

328th Troop Carrier Squadron (Commando) 3rd Combat Cargo Squadron

1st Air Commando Group 10th AAF China Burma India Theatre

Note: Colors of artist rendition may not be accurate

Purpose Statement for Paint Scheme Background

The Douglas C-47J Skytrain “Tonto” is one of many non-flying World War II aircraft in Airparks across the nation.

This aircraft with the “Tanto” nose art, is the only documented plane with nose art from the era.

The horseshoe and the number 3 on the tail represent the “Lucky 3rd” and is a staple for this aircraft in association with the nose art.

Since the acquisition of Tanto, she has carried a paint scheme which was common for transport aircraft during the period of 1944 to 1950. The interior of the plane is configured as a paratrooper jump ship which is somewhat inconsistent with the exterior finish. While the aircraft is in a fairly complete status, she is very much in need of a new paint job.

Over the past few years, the 914th has considered various options for having the plane painted. These options all compete with a major capital campaign, movement of another aircraft (at the request of the U.S. Military, et al) and operational needs. During all discussions the historical property and restoration team remained focused on how Tonto could represent the CBI C-47’s which flew during World War II, but more importantly how she could be distinguished from the C-47’s which currently fly in the United States.

The answer is to represent an aircraft from the “Forgotten Theater”, the China, Burma, India (CBI) Theater and more importantly the 1st Air Commando Group.

Brief History of CBI

Between September 1939 and August 1945 one of the greatest conflicts of the 20th Century lit the world on fire. Hardly any continent or population escaped the throes of World War II and the after effects. This conflict is known to have been fought by the “Greatest Generation”, primarily our fathers and grandfathers, to whom so much is owed. World War II consisted of 4 major theaters of operation;

European, Mediterranean, Pacific and China, Burma, India.

Every day the United States loses a significant number of the veterans who fought in World War II.

Today, WWII is a subject barely covered in history classrooms around the country, and when it is the European and Pacific Theaters receive most attention. Consequently, the one theater which has been labeled the “Forgotten Theater” is the CBI Theater. The significance of this theater cannot be forgotten.

By March of 1942, Japan had extended its forces to the point that the Imperial Japanese Navy could not properly defend occupied territories nor could Japanese industry strengthen its navy. In an effort to cut China off from Allied support, Japan occupied Burma. The British were primarily concerned with India and saw Burma as the main area of action against Japan and wanted the Chinese troops to fight there.

Some of the better known U.S. and joint Allied units operating in the CBI were the Chinese Expeditionary Forces, the Flying Tigers, engineering units, provisional units and the 1st Air Commando Group.

To adequately represent this important theater of war and the 1st Air Commando Group it is important to understand why this group and others within the CBI were established. One important meeting set the stage for future operations.

During the Quebec Conference in August of 1943, Brigadier General Orde Wingate, in compliance with President Franklin Roosevelt’s proposal of air support for British long range penetration operations in Burma, gave the President an account of what could be accomplished with proper air support. This resulted in the creation of the 5318th Air Unit in India to support the Long Range Penetration Groups of the British and Indian armies known as the Chindits. By March of 1944 the group was re-designated as the 1st Air Commando Group. The group provided fighter cover, bomb strike capabilities and most importantly air transport services which included troop insertions, cargo drops and glider towing.

Among the most prolific operations the 1st Air Commando Group performed was that of flying missions over the Himalyas, commonly called the “Hump.” The Burma road was the major supply route into China but when the Japanese cut off the road the only way to get the vital supplies into China was over the Hump. The Air Commandos began their operations with 13 C-47’s and 100 CG-4A Waco Gliders for transport operations.

The venerable C-47 Skytrain stood out as the workhorse of the CBI. They were used as troop carriers and transports. Perhaps most heroically, they flew at an extremely low level to “snag” a CG-4A Waco glider from airstrips which were too small in which to land and tow by conventional means. This system of aerial retrieval was accomplished by attaching one end of a tow rope to the nose of a Waco glider while the other end was connected to a closed loop of nylon rope, 80 feet in circumference. The loop was draped over the top of two 12 foot stanchions spaced 20 feet apart and positioned ahead of and slightly right of the glider. Using an extendable 20-foot arm attached to an energy absorbing, clutch controlled reel system, a C-47 would approach the pick-up station at a 45-degree angle about twenty feet above the terrain at speeds of roughly 130 to 145 miles per hour and snag the loop. Once airborne and at the proper altitude, the pilot would release the glider by pulling a cable cutting control within the cockpit.

Conclusion

There is certainly much more to the history of the 1st Air Commandos but it can easily be seen why the 914th Airpark is choosing to represent this unsung group of heroes. The determination and enthusiasm in achieving this goal is made more significant as this nation approaches a very historic occasion. The year 2024 will mark the 80th Anniversary of the 3rd Airlift Squadron, and 79 years since the end of World War II. While the nation’s attention begins to focus on this important event, the early opportunity to present the story of “The Forgotten Theater” becomes especially significant.

Video Reference of 1st Air Commando Group C-47’s Best video reference of colorized WWII footage of C-47’s in the CBI can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEv4tVJviHA&sns=fb

Please note that the C-47’s in this colorized WWII footage are extremely sun-bleached, so the colors are quite different than what the new application of paint will look like but the footage gives great reference for markings and proportions.

Picture Reference of 1st Air Commando Group C-47’s Again, the following vintage pics may help with dimensional reference.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEv4tVJviHA&sns=fb

PICTURED HERE is a C-47 of the unique and "secret" 5318 Provisional Unit (Air) (Col-lecting Unit), the glider towing/ snatching air force of the 1st Air Commando Group. This was the unit carrying the "Question Mark in a Circle" insignia, as seen in the photo. Joseph C. Lucke of the 5318th furnished the photograph.

Special Notes and Specifications on Markings

- Landing Gear o may be painted in the silver that it currently is painted in

- Paint on fuselage (Olive Drab FS34088 & Neutral Grey) o NO HARD LINES between the olive drab and the Neutral Grey, it is blended.

o When looking at the fuselage from a side view, the olive drab extends quite low……almost to the point where on most of the aircraft the Neutral Grey belly is difficult to see on the side of the fuselage except for the nose section, cowlings and when the grey comes up to meet the horizontal stabilizer of the tail. (SEE BELOW)

- Cowling & Engine Covering o On the engine cowlings the Olive Drab and the Neutral Grey underside meet about mid cowling (SEE ABOVE). This also lines up with the mid-point of the leading edge of the wing for reference.

- Diagonal Strips (Insignia White) on Fuselage

NOT REQUIRED ON THIS AIRCRAFT – DO NOT PAINT

- Star & Bars (Insignia White and Insignia Blue) o There are 4 star & bar applications Top of left wing Bottom of right wing One on each side of the fuselage just forward of elevators o The application of the star & bar on the left side of the fuselage should have the bar centered between the aft door hinges as in this screen capture (SEE BELOW), HOWEVER, for ease of maintenance, please position it so that the forward part of the circle of the insignia DOES NOT overlap the hinges of the aft door. The forward part of the circle can just about touch the aft hinge points or a ½ inch behind them. This will make for easier application. The star & bar on the right side of the fuselage should be positioned exactly in the same spot as the left side.

o The star & bars on the top left wing and bottom right wing are harder to reference. They should be positioned slightly aft (only by a couple of inches) of the midpoint of the wing from the leading edge of the wing. The center of the star & bar lines up with the 3rd hinge point of the aileron (if you are moving toward the wing tip). This is applicable on both wings.

o For star & bar dimensions please SEE BELOW

IMIE---

LJ'.)

- Modeling (Dark Green FS 34078) on tail section o The ‘Modeling’ on the aircraft tail is minimal, however, significant in its markings o This screen capture (SEE BELOW) shows a small amount of modeling on the leading edge of the horizontal stabilizer and trailing edge of the rudder.

This is painted on WITHOUT masking and has NO HARD LINES.

o We will want the modeling of the dark green as it is seen in the video capture (close to it as possible) AND also applied on the trailing edge of the elevators, to ‘break up’ the trailing edge of the elevators.

- Under side of the Aircraft (Belly, Wings, etc) o The entire bottom side of the aircraft and wings will be painted in the

Neutral Grey.

o No diagonal CBI Stripes are to be painted on this aircraft.

- Numbers on tail (Black) o ###### appears on both sides of the vertical stabilizer o The number will be painted in Black as painted on the leading edge of the vertical stabilizer, which is the same as what is used on the propellers o The number should be centered on the vertical stabilizer at the mid-point of the second lowest of the rudder ribs (rib that meets the bottom of the rudder trim tab).

The number should be painted in ‘block’ numbers