Color: Science, Research, Systems, and Standards

[George]

22 minutes ago, LSP_Mike said:

Ah, Dean emerges from the "Stadium of Styrene".

 The study of color as relating to camoflauge can be fascinating, or merely another step in the modelling process. I find the evolution particularly interesting  during the BoB for the Luftwaffe.

USN/USMC Pacific theater paint schemes underwent some changes as well depending on circumstances, as did Japanese planes.

I find J. Ethells books quite useful.

WW2 Aircraft camouflage schemes changed considerably over the course of the war.  I think the Imperial Japanese Naval Air Service camouflage was one of the trickiest because the hobby paint color interpretations of J3, J3-SP, D1, and D2 over time.  Nick Millman provided clarity on this subject as he is one of the most knowledgeable specialists on Japanese Aviation.  If Imperial Japanese Naval Aviation (and even Imperial Japanese Army-Air Force Aviation) interests you (including making models from WW2 from Imperial Japan), Nick's blog Aviation of Japan is a great resource.  Also, AK Interactive produces acrylic and lacquer paint lines for WW2 IJN and IJAAF aviation.  Good luck and all the best, G.

[LSP_Mike]

Thanks G. I seem to have 10 or 12 WWII IJA/IJN kits. I'll look into it. I'm sure some has changed since Thorpe first published his work.

[Juggernut]

1 minute ago, LSP_Mike said:

Thanks G. I seem to have 10 or 12 WWII IJA/IJN kits. I'll look into it. I'm sure some has changed since Thorpe first published his work.

 

Oh yes....a LOT has changed since Thorpe's two volume series was published. Not everything in his works has been superseded but enough so that it makes Thorpe's works a secondary source and a good reference to have when quoted by other authors such as Mikesh.

[DeanKB]

1 hour ago, LSP_Mike said:

Ah, Dean emerges from the "Stadium of Styrene".

 The study of color as relating to camoflauge can be fascinating, or merely another step in the modelling process. I find the evolution particularly interesting  during the BoB for the Luftwaffe.

USN/USMC Pacific theater paint schemes underwent some changes as well depending on circumstances, as did Japanese planes.

I find J. Ethells books quite useful.

You've found your way out of the "Barn of Astonishing Modelling"?

[DeanKB]

On 1/4/2021 at 9:56 AM, vince14 said:

I know you're just trying to help, but that's like going on a supercar forum and pointing out to the membership that there's an Italian company called Ferrari that make excellent cars.

Or joining an internet forum about "Famous British Wartime Prime Ministers of the Twentieth Century" and explaining to them that there's a bloke called Winston Churchill that may interest them...

[Confusionreigns178]

No-one has ever produced a model with 100% colour accuracy, compared to the real object... and no-one ever will.

 

Chris.  

[George]

On 1/5/2021 at 7:39 AM, Juggernut said:

 

Oh yes....a LOT has changed since Thorpe's two volume series was published. Not everything in his works has been superseded but enough so that it makes Thorpe's works a secondary source and a good reference to have when quoted by other authors such as Mikesh.

Nick Millman's pdf guides Painting the Early Zero Sen (PTEZS) and IJN Greens are useful for painting early war and mid-late war schemes for A6M2, A6M3, and A6M5.  I cannot share (sworn to secrecy) as to the details but I encourage you to buy them.  They are inexpensive.  Also, if you are looking for a paint line for IJN aircraft, I recommend AK Interactive Acrylics or Lacquer paints.  Best, George 

[Juggernut]

I already have those publications but thanks for the info.

[George]

He also has guides for the Mitsubishi J2M Raiden, IJN Training and Experimental Aircraft (Orange Enigma), and Ministry of Production/RAF Colour Standards 1939-1945.  I think also has one for Baka aircraft at the end of the war. 

[George]

On 1/2/2021 at 1:25 PM, DeanKB said:

I disagree - I find all this stuff a bit depressing, and for me this quest for supreme accuracy in paint colours definitely kills some of the fun from the hobby. At some point it becomes something of an academic exercise in accuracy, rather than an enjoyable and relaxing hobby. Probably why I always migrated to WWI modelling, where black & white photography and a lack of written records gives people latitude to use greeny-brown, browny-green or anything in between when painting their Brit warplane PC 10 or PC12. As for German planes, slap on whatever you think looks best!

One benefit of learning as much as you can about aircraft scale modelling, whether it is color research, interior and exterior colors, background information, etc. in addition to stimulating our brains, it can help prepare us to become (paid or unpaid) docents at a local air museum if that is something that interests you.  Being a docent augments our hobby where you can relay shared experiences with museum visitors and possibly inspire them (adults and children) to take up the hobby.  There is nothing more inspiring than seeing an actual aircraft on display.   

[MikeC]

On 1/5/2021 at 1:00 AM, DeanKB said:

Excellent, I knew others had more!

Not me: my count is 4, or 5 if one counts the Meng Dr.1

 

I find the evolution of camouflage and other paint schemes interesting, but I'm firmly with others who say that as paints faded and weathered, manufacturers used different batches of paint, and so on, there can be no definitive "right".

 

 

[George]

On 1/25/2021 at 10:44 PM, MikeC said:

Not me: my count is 4, or 5 if one counts the Meng Dr.1

 

I find the evolution of camouflage and other paint schemes interesting, but I'm firmly with others who say that as paints faded and weathered, manufacturers used different batches of paint, and so on, there can be no definitive "right".

 

 

There is no definitive right or wrong with this hobby.  The bottom line is have fun.  You can pour as much money as you want into a kit.