I know quite a few modelers who have this so called “color chip”
syndrome. I call you modelers, “Color-Nuts!” They do their
best to
select the right color by several different paint manufactures, including
mixing their own colors. To me, you are wasting your time,
REALLY!!!

My client has this same syndrome, which I did not like. However, he
is paying the bill, so I follow his orders. From the photos of the
“Restored P-40E,” the aircraft seems like it has a medium
to high gloss paint finish, especially the “Shark Mouth.”
As mentioned in Part-6 the mouth had that hand polished super high gloss
finish. However, my client wanted me to spray a matte finish over it,
which I did! He was happy, so that is what counts when you build a model
for a client.

I have enclosed a few photos taken of the “Restored P-40E,”
by my client. I don’t recall if they were all taken on the same day.
I do
know that they were photographed at the “Oshkosh, Wisconsin Fly-In”
event. However, you will take notice that the color of the paint, which
was applied to the aircraft is “much, much” different, while
being photographed at different angles. So, I ask again? What color
of “Olive Drab” was painted on it?

As a professional photographer, with over 40 years of experience in
film, tv, and still photography, I know a great deal about color. Your
“sun time,” as I call it, defines the color. Place a camera
on a tripod, and lock it down. Take a photo of the same subject every
hour on the hour from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You will be surprised with
the color shift when you get your film developed and look at the prints.
Not one photo will have the same color!

Start studying the photos of the finished model, along with the photos
of my “O.D.” color chip.

Look close at the rudder, elevators, ailerons, spinner, and inside
of the rear side windows. Do you see what I see? Yes! there are two
different colors! Why is this? I did not change paint, nor add any additional
paint. These parts were painted a few months before I painted the model.
The photos of the finished model were taken just a few days after it
was painted.

When you look at the model with your eyes, whether it’s in the shade,
and/or in direct sunlight, you can not see this color shift. My
conclusion of why this is in the photos: “I think the paint gives
off a different “hue” between the fresh and cured out paint.

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