[WWI] "Accurate colours"

[Ray Boorman]

I've stayed out of this PC10 brown and green debate up until now
because its rehashed every 6 months, but lol I couldnt resist any
longer. Prior to mid 1916 PC10 didnt exist as far as being used by the
aircraft manufacturers. It was I beleive developed by the Royal
Aircraft Factory for use by all manufacturers of aircraft for
originally RFC use but later RNAS use as well. This didnt happen until
late 1916 and more likely early 1917.

The colours and chemicals if used properly and in the set amounts
would make a colour that was greeny brown, but with a definite green
hue. The Blue that was to be used would have guarranteed that. I dont
have my references here at work, but there was a definite recipe that
called for the inclusion of chinese blue to a set proportion.

Each aircraft factory had its own suppliers of paint etc even after
PC10 and PC12 were mandated and they would have used the formulations
defined but hey I doubt they were exactly the same. Plus I doubt that
the formulations were used immediately the instruction went out to
switch to PC10/PC12  In other words "waste not want not" was probably
the rule and old supplies were used up.

In addition to this the RNAS didnt convert over to PC10/PC12 rules
until more like late 1917 early 1918  and had there own formulations
up until that time. Therefore you get a hodgepodge of colours in
effect up until early 1917. The SE5a was by late 1916 in service
therefore its highly likely that SE5a's supplied prior to early 1917
may not have actually been painted in PC10 at all. Not to mention as
aircraft were redoped in the field old supplies of paint may have been
used that were not PC10.

As to Spad VII's weren't these orginally intended for the RNAS and hey
they may have been painted to RNAS recipes.

Therefore we have the quandary that 90 years on we make the assumption
that all camouflaged RFC aircraft used PC10 or PC12 depending where
they were used and you as the saying goes make and ass out of you and
me (substiture colour police with either you or me.)

Going back to lurk mode ;) Ray

On 6/4/07, michael wuyek <mawuyek at yahoo.com> wrote:
> I also think time plays tricks with the mind and colours, I actually
> remember colours I saw long ago being DARKER than they were when I finally
> see them.
>
> I remember Munson's Book on FIghters 1914-1919 talking about PC10, how it
> was originally "Greenish", turning Brown with age and exposure. Maybe an
> English listee can send us photos of different brands of English Chocolate
> so we compare.
>
> Manfred's pink Albatros D.III WOULD be ineresting. I know my daughter and
> granddaughter would like it. You figure a light coat of red over a yellowish
> fuselage or tan fuselage, depending on the varnish used, it starts to fade
> and if Ortho film was used, it would render it darker looking.
>
> As for the Revlon colors, I think it's close to the HG#121, the Herman
> Goering Party blush.
>
> Mike
>
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