[WWI] Instrument dial faces?

[ernest thomas]

Well, you've got a reference that says white faces with black markings. 
You've also seen aircraft in museums with instruments in black face, but 
you've stated sound reasons for questioning the black face instruments. So, 
what's the problem? Are you looking for reasons to question your Shiffer 
book? I don't have any, other than questioning authority is always a good 
sound healthy practice.
Basic rule of thumb #1: trust contemporary period photos over photos of 
dubious reproductions/restorations.
Basic rule of thumb #2: If concrete evidence is lacking, Dicta Ira comes 
into play.
Hth, ymmv,m-o-u-s-e.
E.


>From: "Tom Mason" <tom.mason at charter.net>
>Reply-To: World War I Modeling Mailing List <wwi at wwi-models.org>
>To: "World War I Modeling Mailing List" <wwi at wwi-models.org>
>Subject: [WWI] Instrument dial faces?
>Date: Sat, 1 Jul 2006 09:20:29 -0500
>
>A question about instrument dial faces.
>Are the faces white with black lettering or black with white lettering for 
>allied aircraft?
>A have a Schiffer book on German instruments. In this book it says German 
>aircraft had white faced dials during WW I. It also state that the allies 
>did also.
>I see pictures of aircraft with black faced dials. These planes are in 
>museums. I know that quite often that these instruments are replaced on 
>original aircraft and on reproductions they the closest ones they can find. 
>So. what is what?
>
>T.O.M.