well wouldn’t that be just plain rude?

Never any excuse for rudeness. Fair point Ashley and thanks for the explanation 🙂

If you came around to my house and told me you did not like the way I had decorated the place, and then proceeded to tell me how I should have done it, then believe me, I would kick you out the front door so hard you would be wondering what hit you

I agree with David on this. Ashley – what if I came round to your house and you showed me your dining room which you had just paid a lot of money to have the walls re-painted in an authentic Gerogian ‘Dining Room Red’ from an expensive ‘heritage’ paint range. If I were to notice (in my wisdom concerning such matters) that the colour was incorrect and was likely to be an inferior rendition of that historic colour would you prefer me to politely point this out (and perhaps supply you a sample of the correct shade too) so that you could take up the matter with your painter or just lie and tell you its wonderful?

As I said in my ‘Butcher Bird’ post its all about the intention of the owner.

Some of the recent furore has been caused when the real world and miniature world collide – but as Robert Mikesh said in Restoring Museum Aircraft – modellers are an important information resource for museums and restorers. Much of the research of colours – be they German, British or American (particularly export colours) has been initiated by the guys who make small plastic replicas.

I agree with this, good point.

There are SO many appealing camos and personal insignas for the A8, and since the owner doesnt seem to be forced by Milka to have the thing completely white/purple, I really do hope this is a temporary and above all “service” finish. Now, what about the swastika on the tail? Black 6 had/has (when flying) one, is it going to be a problem to have this one having it too?Alex

The following comments still aplies..

I do not think anyone has confirmed that this paint scheme (regardless of how good or bad) was applied under the instruction of the new owner. In fact I recall that this was applied for some film/TV role recently so may well be nothing to do with the desire of the new owner.

So maybe it’s best for the owner to paint it himself then……

You really have lost me now Chris :confused:

I do not think anyone has confirmed that this paint scheme (regardless of how good or bad) was applied under the instruction of the new owner. In fact I recall that this was applied for some film/TV role recently so may well be nothing to do with the desire of the new owner.

On a general point, not really specific to this FW 190 (and take note Ollie) – although I am forced to a agree with the statement “the owner can paint an aircraft he owns any way he chooses”. Apart from complying with any pertinent legislation, he can indeed. The issue really boils down to what his instructions were to the paint-shop. Few owners tell their painting contractor to paint their Spitfire, P-51 etc any way the painter feels like. I can tell you from long experience they usually have quite specific requirements. The key is how those requirements are interpreted once the aircraft is actually in the spray bay. This is directly related to the extent and quality of the information provided to the painting contractor, his ability and any additional back up provided to him once the job is underway. I work on the basis that any aircraft paint shop can carry out a first class historic paint job on a warbird type given the proper back up.

However the problematic case is where an owner wants a historically correct scheme, believes he has provided the required information but unfortunately, for some reason, does not get the result. Happily this rarely occurs but the CAF Wildcat case from a few years ago was such an example, the owners did want the aircraft to be painted properly and authentically, it just went a bit off the rails in the execution.

There are few examples of an owner wanting to paint his aircraft ‘wrongly’ so in most cases criticism of a scheme may not offend the owners personal taste but he may be a little dismayed if that ‘perfect’ re-creation of a 1944 8th AAF Mustang scheme he has just paid £10k for is ripped to pieces on a discussion forum. On the other hand he may appreciate the information and allow him to have the scheme corrected, but one always needs to speak tactfully and respect the wishes of the owner.