MCI Project Summaries 2008 - Smithsonian Institution

MCI 6082 Heinkel He219 A German WWII Aircraft Wing
MCI Staff: Jia-sun Tsang, Lynn B. Brostoff, Walter R. Hopwood, Julio del Hoyo, Marion F.
Mecklenburg, Mel J. Wachowiak, Judy Watson, Tony Maiorana, Rebecca Geiseking
The purpose of the analysis was to determine if original German WWII aircraft
paint remains, as well as its identity.
ATR-FT-IR spectra obtained from different surfaces of the paint samples, as well
as the acetone extract residue, indicate that the paint medium is a cellulose-nitrate
based formulation that most likely contains other unresolved additives. Pigments were
not identified by IR.
The Heinkel He219A aircraft is part of NASM’s collection. Outdoor storage of this
aircraft has resulted in prolonged exposure to sunlight. As a result, alterations to the
original paint colors have occurred. There is an area on one of the flaps that was
protected from solar radiation and has been used as an approximated reference of the
original paint. This assumption was based on both the color of the paint relative to other
areas which have been exposed to light and also on the way the flap was assembled
indicating that the edge was protected from sunlight. The surface has several layers of
paint but the interest was to test the pale blue paint in order to understand its
discoloration process.
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