For your reading pleasure…
http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/magazine/1998/05/stuff_eng_ww2incolor_louiv.htm
Jeff
Oh boy… you’ve stumbled upon quite a pandora’s box there. That’s been a hot debate since before you or I were born and, unfortunately, it will never be resolved…
'Tis quite interesting though, isn’t it? This particular article is something everyone who is seriously interested in colors and/or markings of military aircraft should read… at least twice… because it addresses many of the problems involved in the study and interpretation of colors and markings of aircraft, especially those from the Second World War.
Fade to Black…
I’d say the most important thing to take from their discussion is to not put 100% accuracy into color photos from this era. As they mentioned in the thread, processing and developing color photos then was completely different and much more of an art than the science it is today. So, it is fair to say there was usually some element of artistic license or freedom used in determining and choosing specific colors or shades of colors for the final prints. Just my 2 cents worth.
… it also begs the question: How do we know what colors WWI planes were?
Very informative article, Jeff, thanks! [:)]
Take care,
Frank