Nieuport 11/16 interior metal colors

[davecww1]

Just a quick question concerning the color used for the metal parts of the early Nieuport interior, as we have seen in Alan Toelle's articles in Windsock International, the metal struts (landing gear and cabines) were painted a blue/gray, Horizon blue it is called.  This was also used on many of the external metal parts such as the Lewis gun mount and aileron cranks, as well as the rods that rin from these cranks into the hole in the fuselage and down to the control stick. 
Let me go out on a limb and guess that this same color would be used for the metal parts that were painted on the interior such as the end of the aileron control rods, the joystick and the rudder pedal? 
Just assuming this color would be correct since I have never seen a color photo of any Nieuport 11 interior, and am wondering if any photos exist of the interior of the one on display in France depicting DeRose's N.536. 
The Eduard instructions and every online build that I have seen show these interior parts to be gray, with most modelers choosing a very light gray.  Just wondering which would be a better choice, Horizon blue or light gray?
All comments welcomed, but I have to make up my mind fast!
Dave

[coyotemagic]

Personally, Dave, I'd go with the bluish grey.  All of the interior painted metal on the Memorial Flight Strutter is blue, so I assume the Nieuport would be the same.  At least, that's my take on it.
Cheers,
Bud

[davecww1]

Thanks Bud, sounds good to me and I have just completed my joystick/ control column and rudder pedals, all done in my favorite shade of Horizon blue, namely Model Master US Navy Intermediate blue, almost a perfect match to the metal parts and wing outlines in the recent Windsock articles by Alan and the Lafayette Flyers special. 
Dave

[coyotemagic]

Exactly what I use!
Cheers,
Bud

[Ernie]

Thank you Dave for the information regarding the metal colour.  I have a Bebe
in my stash that I hope to get to this year and this helps with the paint choices.

Cheers,
Ernie

[Rob Hart]

On a somewhat  related question, any guesses on what color the interplane struts on the Breguet 14 were? They were metal and the FMP book's artwork shows them as gray/blue, but the Datafile Special's artwork shows them as what looks to be ecru. They appear to match the same shade/tone as the blue on the rudder in black and white photos. BTW, thanks for the tip on the MM blue. I have been mixing my own Horizon Blue with less than satisfactory results.

[davecww1]

Hi Rob,  I'm not sure on the Breguet 14, although I would go by the information that Alan Toelle gives in the Windsock special since he's one of the most knowledgeable (if not THE most knowledgeable) on French aircraft colors and markings, especiallly those used by the USAS.  But perhaps, after reading the Windsock special it appears that there were several contractors building them, and several different color schemes so the struts may have been painted different colors depending on the manufacturer and time period painted.
Dave