[markjsheppard]

Chris

Did you actually read the argument statement on WIX?

The demarcation lines, theatre marking position, national marking positions, stencilling style location all came from me as did the recommended colours. Having researched/recorded her for 20 years, everything was based on my research, so it was logical I could help.

I also indicated swatches were taken from the protected areas of the airframe but not enough lead in time to locate and use.

There are two issues - it is too shiny. Vintage Fabrics in the UK have developed a mix to allow enough sheen for cleaning but enough matt for a more correct finish (it was matt). VF did the Bf109E, Spitfire and Hurricane for FHC. The Fw190 has been given an eggshell finish.

The blue and tan is correct. These were matched correctly. The green and brown they had no source to match (they had the skins from the tailplane which were not reused due to corrosion - there was blue to the underside and enough tan on the top to copy). There was no visible areas of the brown and green to copy so how did they get the colours?

It is these two colours I have an issue with.

Its got nothing to do with speculation if there is surviving photos, recorded surviving paint swatches and RLM chart cololurs which were not correctly assessed and so ignored.

Unfortunately, some of the replicas have a better scheme than this one.

Unfortunately Chris, you do not know the detail of the discussion and time spent of the last two months between myself and FHC. They did there own assessment on the colours - not going to any other experts - say Ken Merrick etc - it was somone in FHC who thought he knew how 1227 should be painted/coloured and got it incorrect.

Look at the photos and colour swatch again and if you have Ken Merrick's book on Luftwaffe colours - refer to that also.

Rune, the application mix, thinners used and paint type is a elevant issue. I suggested more testing, experimentation and sample panels were painted before going to the aircraft. A 20 year restoration and a three week lead in time for painting is not the best way to go. This needed to be undertaken months before the started painting the aircraft. Too quick and with the unfortunate results.

regards

MS