Long time model builder, first time poster. I’ve been building Japanese WW2 aircraft recently, and know they suffered from poor maintenace as the war progressed, becoming heavily weathered.
Among all the chipping and staining on the aircraft body, notwithstanding having aluminum skin, did they also suffer from rust stains from being exposed to the harsh Pacific elements? I’d like to add red-brown rust stains on the aircraft body if so.
Only rust stains around steel fasteners I would think. Not too likely. Steel fasters are usually plated to prevent rust and galvanic corrosion when next to aluminum.
Poor maintenance is not something I have read of before, but there certainly were some trying conditions Japanese aircraft, as well as Allied, operated under.
I always thought the biggest factor for the shabby look of some of their aircraft was due to factories not applying primer in order to expediate production. This resulted in paint flaking/peeling as it did not have the benefit of an ideal surface to adhere to.
regards,
Jack
Aircraft aluminium does not “rust”,it oxidizes to a milky white appearance so red brown would be more appropriate for exhaust staining or oil streaks from the engine. There may be rust blown along the slip stream from the exhaust stacks which are made of steel and did,( do), rust.
Most panel screws are and were galvanized as stated above however most of the structure was rivited, which they are also aluminium. Please post pix of your weatherd warbird if a can. Sounds neat.
Great article on the problems Japan had with their air fleet.
https://www.historynet.com/japans-fatally-flawed-air-forces-in-world-war-ii-2.htm
Joe
Ya, even well photographed sea/float planes don’t have rust. Although I’ve seen some modelers add rust, it’s just not realistic. There are very few pieces on AC that will rust. They do suffer from corrosion, but in different forms due to different metals being involved. Chipping and sometimes the orange primer coat showing, along with dirt and grime is all that you should see on the real thing. (except manifolds).
That pic in the article that Joe posted is a perfect example of the orange primer coat showing through.
BK
Thanks for the help, guys. Painting Japanese WW2 aircraft are unlike any models I ever done before. So many paint variations to pin down.
Whoa. No wonder the Japanese lost. They had no grasp of logistics. They fought like locusts, devouring as they went, but building nothing. All their effort went to the spearhead, while ignoring the supporting shaft.
That was a really good read. I was unaware that the Japanese military was so disorganized. My Dad was in the Corps of Engineers in WWII building airfields in the Pacific. He had a bunch of photos that he took during the war. All of the photos were filled with images of heavy earth moving equipment. Bulldozers, earth scrapers, concrete trucks, cranes, steam rollers, gas trucks, tow trucks. Piles of steel runway planks, piles of lumber. He said that the COE were able to build anything and everything that was needed. That gave the US a huge advantage.
Here is another interesting read regarding how white rice almost destroyed the Japanese navy. https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/rice-disease-mystery-edo-tokyo-navy-beriberi