Bf109 single color tricks

[No.1]

Story about the single dark green top color on German aircraft in WW2 is old and few decades active. Bitter problem present the behaviors of the old photographic materials where colors tend to blend together and create simple uniform look. If we add to this light conditions, type of film, type of filter, how the filming material was processed and later image developed... we get nightmare where errors get into the full domination. If you have talk with anybody who have spent whole or larger part of its life, in work with black and white materials, you will without doubt get info that it is impossible to recognize real color from black and white image. So you will realize what problems we have here...

So here you are first set of images which will be used as proof that Bf109 have single coat on topside.First image is from Swiss and it is color. As you see propeller blades are black and dominative top color is extra dark green. Bottom is well known light blue color and teeth mouth painting is interesting. Second image show nose of aircraft, well worn out and blend in service and it gives look of single color. Third image- single color, isn't it? Fourth image in same manner as previous show single top color. Next two images are different Bf109E with number 1 on fuselage and we all could swear that it have one topside color (as well we see this). Line up of the Bf109D in Poland also give figure of the single top color... and final image is what else but Swiss machine with single top color

[No.1]

Lets make some doubt about the previous post and will do that with color images. First image here show two aircrafts, aircraft in the background have clearly visible two colors but closer machine show less contrast among the colors. And second image should bring you real problem of the photographs as well you will note that first machine look like have single top color but wings give proof that there is two colors on topside. And this is color image!!!

Hope this is nice introduction into the next post here...

[No.1]

Now we have sample where on almost single top coat we can see that there is another color too...

[No.1]

First image show airplane little fade out in service and in this stage color difference become less visible or much stronger visible. Second image show uniform top coat but small teeth on leading edge simply indicate that there was make stop, brake or overlay and this happen when another color is painted over. Last image show aircraft in much uniform coat but splinter is even then visible.

[No.1]

Next samples...

[Sall]

Great collection...

[No.1]

And final images for this story. First two images show how the same camouflage look under different condition, the first look like it have single color on the front. Second show interesting details on Yugoslav sample... it is not the only one Again machine from Swiss service with deep uniform coat on fuselage but leading edges on this new machine show different areas and this mean more colors. Final two images is also Swiss machine with details of splinter on them...

Hope this would help you when make plastic kits

[draken35]

Very interresting topic, mate!
same problem is of course encountered with WWI aircrafts that were photographied with orthochromatic films: yellow sounds a dark color; impossible to distingish black from red...

[No.1]

I know all of this so you know how funny look when I see some 'experts talk' about colors

[draken35]

Agreed!!! ;-)

[Second Air Force]

Yes, this is a fascinating subject. The photos don't lie if enough of them come to light!

When I was still an active competitive modeler I was sometimes tasked with judging the aircraft categories at IPMS events. Invariably some "expert" judge would be complaining and crying about the "inaccurate" colors or patterns on the Luftwaffe models. Funny thing is that I never saw any of his perfect models in the time I knew him.........

[No.1]

When man start to do research then realize difference among the fact and truth. I was always make mistakes when I was listen somebodies advice, opinion or article (especially from my country). Nice to hear that you was judge on IPMS competition and I could imagine what negative experience you could have.

[Second Air Force]

Most of the judges that I worked with were very professional and good to work with. As with all things human, there were just a few that were not. Judging local events was not too bad, but being asked to help at Regional events gives you a bit of stress--many modelers are depending on the judges being fair and unbiased and that can sometimes be difficult, especially if you're teamed with the "wrong" judge. Sorry to hijack the thread!

[No.1]

No hijack mate- this is our forum

[draken35]

Scott, I was myself judge for the IPMS-Belgium contests. When I was in doubt for an element, I always tried to inform myself and, in last resort, doubt was a benefit for the modeller.
But I remember some big errors made by auto-proclamed specialists: one of them said me that an Albatros D.III under Udet's colors was the best representation he ever saw...
...That was an Oeffag...
After that, and other constatations, I decided to never judge again.