Color scheme of original Chief

I am in the process of building a Veco 1949 version of the polywog airfoiled Chief. In an Oct 1949 Air Trails is an add for the "new" Chief and of course it is in grey tones. My question is what were the colors of the one in the ad? Looking at the various tones, it appears to be basic white, red leading edge and flaps, elvator and rudder. Two blue bands on the wing near the tips, single blue bands on the horizontal stab and vertical stab (fin). Can anyone verify this. I realize you would have to seen the original or be older than me, and that's gettin up there.
So far it is all Veco; kit, wheels, engine, tank, bellcrank, control horns, prop, and two Veco decals (repros).
Thanks in advance for any help. Ty M>

I am going to guess yellow, red and black. Seem to recall seeing that scheme used many times in that era.

Well, I don't think balck was used on this one as the Veco decals show up and on black it wouldn't. Bob Palmer seemed to like red, white and blue on his ships more often than not.

I think he actually had several Chiefs as the design evolved from the Go-Devil and was a work in progress. The Chief is really nothing but a Go-Devil with full-span flaps and a glow .29 (originally a McCoy RI, later changed to a Fox) in place of the sparkie.
Bob Palmer is still with us, I suggest that it is probably easiest to ask him if possible.

Hi Jake. You can really see the linage of the Go Devil in the 1949 Chief. Not much difference except for the flaps. I have the go Devil plans, but to build one now seems anticlimatic after doing the Chief. So, upright engine Thunder bird is next. But first I have to finish an Ambroid Ares, Control Line Classis Ares to go with the 59 Ares scratch built that needs recovering on the wings, finish the scratch version of the Argus, finish the scratch version of the Cobra and then the kits of these. Plus paint the 52 MAN version Nobler from a Tom Dixon kit, paint a beat up Super Chipmunk, finish the painting on an SV22, prime and paint a modified ARF Nobler, plus finising the rebuilds on two old timers. Whew, good thing I'm retired and have nothing to do. Ah, ha ha ha ha.

Good guess Don as it was Orange, Black, and Red. Good thing it was orange as I really don't care for yellow and red together. That's just me, but I have seen others do it and the plane looked great.

Hey Ty;

I have the same 1949 Air Trails in which this ad appeared and like you, I wondered what the original CHIEF color scheme was, so I thought why not go directly to the master designer Bob Palmer and ask him.

A few weeks ago Bob kindly wrote me back that the overall color scheme was ORANGE, the rudder, elevator, flaps, wing leading edge and fuselage nose was BLACK, the two each chordwise stripes on each wing was RED and the pinline on the wing and fuselage was WHITE.

The decal on the side of the fuselage nose was a "McCoy 29" decal.

Bob said that his first Nats with this Chief was at Dallas, Texas, 1950, using a McCoy 29 and flying at 30 mph and the handling was PERFECT!!! He placed second. Bob Palmer is now 86 years old and he tells me that he still flies once in awhile. We all wish this very kind gentleman many more happy flying days!!!

Cordially,

Ken Wilson
"An Ukie Lifer"
Evansville, IN

Thanks Ken. I found Bob's address and phone number in the 2004 PAMPA listing. I was about to compose a letter to him. I have talked with him on three occassions, twice at VSC and at the last Brodaks. It's great to listen to him and Dale Kirn when they get together. Now to get the primer on and get out those colors. Again, thank you.