Modeling Airfield Camouflage

Thanks for the photo's in Post #40 PB
Thats the kinda photo that convinces me that buildings were almost randomly painted and not as the previous scheme of representing other buildings, cow sheds and cottages etc.
I know there may well have been exceptions to the rule but i have seen similar photo to those posted and i have so painted my models in the 'disruptive pattern' as so beautifully illustrated in the photos. You hardly notice the smaller Nissen in the background and even the road in the foreground may well have been painted ???

NP
I have no doubts that the early scheme existed, would like to see the photos you mentioned !
I am merely trying to state that the 'wrap-over' disruptive pattern is seemingly more evident from photos that i have and of those i have seen. To that end i am trying to encourage others to model, either on computer or physical models, such a sheme as appropriate.
I also believe that probably as late as, late 1943 and 1944, that camouflage was probably less an issue and building constructed at later dates were either plain cement render or one basic colour. Ian

Ian I was lucky enough to win a copy of AP 3236 the AHB 1956 publication WORKS 39-45. A big chapter on this subject and I am trying to get my old brain around it. One thing is clear: the paints used were totally unsuitable for vehicles so I am rapidly drawing the conclusion that the assumption in various publications that building camo paint was used on MT is far from correct. The standard camo colours that became BS 987C eg SCC 1a 2 14 etc we have now become familiar with, were originally published as Civil Defence Camo Establishment CDSE /987c. it dates back to at least dec 39 and originally contained 16 colours I wonder what they are ?? --Paul ??
It is possible Station Commanders purchased paint for MT etc that was to the shades in the 987C but of the correct type for vehicles. There is a note in a file at Kew that acknowledges that Units have been purchasing Camo paint for MT etc. prior to it being included in the contract spec .
Buildings camo is very interesting , one day once I catch up with my vehicle models I will have to have a good look at your Grimsby dio and get some buildings constructed.

TED

ted wrote:

The standard camo colours that became BS 987C eg SCC 1a 2 14 etc we have now become familiar with, were originally published as Civil Defence Camo Establishment CDSE /987c. it dates back to at least dec 39 and originally contained 16 colours I wonder what they are ??

I have a Civil Defence camouflage paint swatch card from 1939 tucked away in a box, will have a rummage and see if I can find it.

PB

PB -- a copy of the card would be great !!

PNK -- a lot of info on other forums is written about camo colours. I feel much of it is assumption. people have found old items and and colour charts and drawn conclusions by matching to it. Personally I think its very flawed. An example is the assumption that all colour fades with age- so to reproduce it we will deepen the tone. For a long time I have been trying to convince people that the bronze green colours used prior to WW2 by the Military for vehicles does not fade- in fact darkens. This was a bugbare of Marchington depot with the Green Goddesses as some turned into patchwork quilts as it became impossible to do an asthetically acceptable patch repaint. I own a ex AFS austin Gipsy which I repainted in 2005 - if you lift the bonnet its amazing just how much the paintwork has darkened outside the engine bay, and this is with a tarp on it. My wife and I have identical PCs with identical software - no matter what we do to the monitor settings, identical colour charts downloaded from the same source have marked differences. . My other experience with greens is for several years we provided support to a couple of army units and did an annual repaint of their field guns and towing vehicles painted in both gloss and semi gloss finish for prestige events- again the paint always darkened.
So I would suggest at Kew take a several pics using different light settings. then save the 2 that looks the most like what your brain remembers . I have a colour chart for colours recommended for Palastine 1936, 2 researchers supplied me with copies that have marked differences.

Ian-- I have had a good read of AP 3236 ; the conclusion I draw is building camo painting became less regimented in early 1942 , and was downgraded several times until discontinued. I noted previously that aerial photos of Leucxhars show a gradual relaxation of the complexity of building camo painting as the war progressed.

TED