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Type of paint for painting an A-2

Andrew

Well-Known Member
I don't think there is anyone who does it as per the originals since it appears they were done using what was on hand in the paintshop- which would have been some kind of enamel either for painting aircraft, the buildings, vehicles and signs on the base/ field. If you look at any original 90% of the colours used were yellow, red, white and black which were common marking colours. It's something that always gets asked and even though I tried to find out from the Vet who painted my jacket recently they always seemd to bypass the question, just saying the Pintshop did it. I will be talking to his daughter again soon so i'll ask again.

Here's a shot of the paint on one of mine which is exactly the same colours that were used on that Groups Aircraft. These were done directly from the scanner and give a good impression of the raised, opaque nature of the paint.

Ratdet.jpg


RatPoisonB-24det.jpg


44-40454c.jpg


From what's been posted before most artists use acrylics because being a plastic paint they will bend with the leather and have less tendancy to crack off as an enamel might. I would love to see the results of someone trying though. Acrylics also need to be sealed and unless that's done with a matt clear the paint looks too plasticky to my eye. When I paint Fine Art I use oil on canvas and recently did a test using my oils on a few leather samples. I don't think this would have been an option if it were painted on directly to the leather as the oil soaks into the hide and the pigment doesn't stick well to the leather. They would have needed to apply a layer of gesso over if first to seal it- much like a canvas.

It would be interesting to see if you could get a sample of A/C paint to try that out.
 

dujardin

Well-Known Member
hello,

thanks Andrew for your really good answer (to me).
i'm also thinking that any type of paint was used by crewmembers herself to decorate their jackets. probably (i mean surely) that many jackets were paint by real artist with appropriate (personnal) paints but the other one, just to put their names and or some simple sketchs or ''bombs'' on their jackets use what they found at the airfield store.

when i was young (and nuts), i realise a ''paint'' on the old moto jacket of my father; you know it was the time of the movie ''Grease'' and i realise a ''guitar'' with the logo ''R'n'R 'll never die''. i use for that the paint i need to realise my scale modelling - HUMBROL. after approximatively a year, i found that it was a stupid idea and try to give my jacket his original look back. my father told me there was only one way to proceed, gently and slowly with a ''cutter''. i waist several hours to erase the white paint. but after that, no damage; i just need to use some black shoe polish.

so i don't think that i will decide to paint by myself an A2 or other jackets. but maybe i could ask a friend who is specialised in ''figurines'' and who is on the top of his art.

so, bye byeeeeee marcel
 

Tim P

Well-Known Member
oil based enamel style paints are authentic but may be composed differently to back then due to lead content etc.
I have always used acrylics due to the flexibility and I particularly like the thin but opaque qualities of lady esquire shoe colourant which is tops for details as it can be applied like ink and it can be found in a good range of sympathetic colours. liquitex acrylics come in tube form and cover beautifully
 

tamoko

Member
After some time oil in "oil paint" becomes more transparent and the color mixes with background. That is why Old Classical painting, which is made on sepia or black background today looks very dark. After some time original intensive oil color mixed with dark brown A-2 background and this makes nice effect. Not like acrylic, one time paint forever intensive color like new, or you have to make Old effect. Authentic paint has to be done with oil.
 

Vcruiser

Well-Known Member
First of all...I would do the drawing and complete it on paper for better erase-ability.
Then transfer the finished drawing on the leather to paint. My drawings(on wood) are done that way..then transferred with grey color transfer paper(like carbon) that will wash off or cover over easily with paint.
Van
 
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