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For me this is all about getting an explanation which makes sense. I can't help myself thinking that the current explanations for the half-painted wing undersides (=special camouflage on wing undersides which are supposed to be uncamouflaged) are a bit exotic.
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Interesting discussion!
I say I have to agree with the aerodynamic reasons for the leaving the leading edge bare.
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As you said you need a certain skill to apply correctly and quickly fast putty on a wing, but on the other hand you do not need to have any skill to handle a spray-gun .
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Painting an aircraft is essentially a bad thing aerodynamically. It adds significant weight and additional surface imperfections that can rob performance.
In our restoration of White 1, we are using actual RLM paints. It takes just as much skill to paint an aircraft as it does to paint a car. The RLM paints are very sensitive to reducer ratios. Little too much or too little and the paint does not apply. It takes skill to prepare the aircraft, operate the equipment, and apply the paint. Granted these factories were not trying to turn our show quality finishes.
Nevertheless it takes training to apply the paint.
"Surfacing" or "filled and polished" on the other hand can range from simple laborer work to being just as complicated as applying the paint. Depending on the method used of course.
So I would think it is rather a mute issue on the skilled labor.
By not painting these surfaces several things appear to be accomplished:
1. Aerodynamics is improved
2. Production times and cost is reduced
You guys should come check out the Museum and the Restoration.
http://www.white1foundation.org/parts/shop1.jpg
http://www.white1foundation.org/index.htm
All the best,
Crumpp