Glossy Warbirds...

[Laggin' Dragon]

Okay... this is a slight rant...

But what is it with vintage aircraft owners and painting their warbirds with glossy freaking paint? Allied and Axis aircraft alike were NOT glossy...

A warbird with a glossy paint job looks as if a cheap pimp from a New Orleans cathouse decided to paint them! I'm sorry get with reality... you go through the pain staking effort to acquire and restore these warbirds then go 9 and 1... don't do 9 things right and the ONE visual thing wrong!

Recreate the aircraft of that time period they way they were. There was a reason they were FLAT drab colors and NOT glossy... putting glossy paint on a combat aircraft is just TELLING the enemy "here I am." I go out to see warbirds but it pains me to see them painted in a glossy finish. I want to see them as they were not as WE would make them as trophy planes. Their not, they are war machines, they are military equipment and should be displayed as such. They're nothing flashy by their paint job but, they're flashy and beautiful by their lines and curves.

If an aircraft is polished aluminum fine thats the way they were but, if they have any drab FLAT paint on them then they should be painted as such.

Just sayin' be historically accurate and correct. Don't be a revisionist or generation needs to see and learn the truth.

Respectfully,
Laggin' Dragon

[51fixer]

Okay... this is a slight rant...

But what is it with vintage aircraft owners and painting their warbirds with glossy freaking paint? Allied and Axis aircraft alike were NOT glossy...

A warbird with a glossy paint job looks as if a cheap pimp from a New Orleans cathouse decided to paint them! I'm sorry get with reality... you go through the pain staking effort to acquire and restore these warbirds then go 9 and 1... don't do 9 things right and the ONE visual thing wrong!

Recreate the aircraft of that time period they way they were. There was a reason they were FLAT drab colors and NOT glossy... putting glossy paint on a combat aircraft is just TELLING the enemy "here I am." I go out to see warbirds but it pains me to see them painted in a glossy finish. I want to see them as they were not as WE would make them as trophy planes. Their not, they are war machines, they are military equipment and should be displayed as such. They're nothing flashy by their paint job but, they're flashy and beautiful by their lines and curves.

If an aircraft is polished aluminum fine thats the way they were but, if they have any drab FLAT paint on them then they should be painted as such.

Just sayin' be historically accurate and correct. Don't be a revisionist or generation needs to see and learn the truth.

Respectfully,
Laggin' Dragon

Dude, Do a search on paint on the site and read all about the hassles the topic creates.
Also realize that glossy paint is easier to clean and lasts longer. That way the 15 - 100K + the owner spends will last longer.
The primary reason is that is what the owner wants. There isn't any FAA or National standard that is required. In the UK you have to get someones approval to paint a warbird in a British Military Scheme. Not in other places.
Lastly, no one is stopping you from getting an aircraft, tank, truck, car or bicycle and painting it any way you want. Why are forcing your standards on anyone else?

These discussions about paint and markings can take place but be civil and don't force your opinion on others.
Thats what the Gov is for and they don't like competition.