Exhaust stains

[stona]

Whilst trawling for info on putty used to fill Luftwaffe air frames I came accross a document relating to the maintenance of the blue undersurfaces of german aircraft. It appears some units "to facilitate cleaning" painted the areas of exhaust staining black. They are ordered to respray blue as the black compromises camouflage and "puts the aircraft and crew at great risk". For modellers keen on mucky aircraft I'll quote the fifth and final point in full.

"the exhaust trails will be carefully cleaned at all times to prevent excessive soot production and consequent blackening of these areas. This is especially important for daytime use"

Make of that what you will.

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

I can see the logic in this and I do think it is often overdone on models. Having said that, it is a fair point to 'overdo' it slightly on a scale model as in reality, if you view a vehicle or aircraft at a distance that emulates the size of a kit, chances are you would not see half these things. Scale modelling is a fine balance of reality and good looks and like anything 'make upish' a tad over the top is sometimes more attractive.

All down to personal interpretation I suppose but info like this is really invaluable to make u your mind how to interpret.

[stona]

Couldn't agree more Graham,it's entirely up to the individual. I just thought it interesting that the RLM took the compromising of camouflage seriously enough to issue such specific orders. Incidentally it also got very upset about units "finishing" their aircraft in ways that compromised the "non-reflective" camouflage finish. I guess that means polishing them up to a shiny finish was officially not allowed. Photographic evidence suggests that this series of orders was largely ignored!

Cheers

Steve

As for putties I've found out all the numbers for the various sealants and even orders for how and where they were to be applied but not one ministry man seems to have indicated what colour they were! I've read of red (surely a confusion with a red or red/brown primer which I know about),yellowish and various greys. Might just have to take a "prove me wrong" punt on this one.

Cheers

Steve (off to have one more trawl before the GP)

[Guest]

very interesting!

Would this aply to the top and side of the aircraft aswell?

Theuns

[stona]

The order referred to the undersides,its title translates roughly as "Condition and care of blue camouflage paint on undersides for daytime use." I bet they applied it to upper surfaces. I have seen another order demanding the removal of staining after, at most ,12 flying hours.

Aircraft were only to be cleaned with aviation lacquer 7238 in order to maintain their finish.

"to ensure a dull,perfectly matt surface for the external paintwork in standard colour shades and the ensuing,indispensably low reflection values of the paint, so called "finishing" of the ready painted aircraft is banned"

And

"aviation lacquer 7238 must be used as cleaning agent for painted aircraft"

However

"When a whole number of aircraft units were recently inspected at and close to the front,it was repeatedly found that both the standard paintwork and aviation paints were being washed down with cleaning fluids and other agents. This must cease in future to ensure that the paintwork provides a faultless camouflage effect and in order to save on raw materials."

For "finishing" read polishing and for "other agents" read polishes.

There are many instances of this sort of thing. Airframes may have become tired if they survived for long enough but I'm sure that they were generally well maintained and kept in a clean and tidy state.

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

It could make a rather interesting diorama to see a crew member with rag in hand "washing" the stains off.............Think I will give it a try on a ME 109 or so

Theuns