surface finish vs. colors

pettit99 · 17 October 2012, 04:32 AM

While I have a great appreciation for the efforts of all of the readers in determining actual colors used on WW1 planes, my question is a simple one.

What was the surface finish that was used on WW1 aircraft, that is to say, glossy (probably not) satin, flat, in-between?

I realize that dope and shellac was used as finishes, but what was the "sheen" of those finishes?

My 1/3 scale triplane is just about painted in the Lothar von Richthofen scheme using latex interior house paint with a satin sheen. But it resulted in a rather flat finish. I can shoot a coat of clear over everything but I'd rather not have it look toy-like and shiny.

'14-'18aviationcollector · 23 October 2012, 07:36 AM

Hi,

I've seen references to documents which state that the finish, at least on some German aeroplanes was to be matt. Physical evidence, in conjunction with photos suggest gloss, which weathered to a semi gloss relatively quickly.

vossiewulf · 23 October 2012, 01:32 PM

I've stared at hundreds of pics of various Fokker a/c for this same question, and what I've concluded is that the finish as delivered was between gloss and semi-gloss. Not a gloss like modern car paints, but more glossy than what we'd call semi-gloss today.

And as mentioned above, this degraded rapidly in use to semi-gloss to very near matte for a plane that had been active for a few months.

So basically the question you have to answer is at what stage are you modeling the aircraft, right after it was brand-new painted, in use a few weeks, or a war-weary steed that had seen a few months of combat.

pettit99 · 29 October 2012, 10:09 AM

33% Balsa USA DR1 replicating the DR1 from the museum in eastern PA

I think this is pretty close.

vossiewulf · 30 October 2012, 06:06 PM

Little hard to tell at that angle, need light behind to really tell the sheen, but in the end it's a very nice model, so don't worry, go fly it, and have fun.

BobH · 31 October 2012, 08:36 AM

The finish sheen was provided by the dope on the fabric. Dope dries clear with a dull but not super flat finish. Some where between satin and dead flat. The amount of weather the plane was exposed to and the age of the plane also influences the finish sheen. You can use a satin finish over the latex and then if you want, take 0000 steel wool and tone it down more.