Dora

[mjag]

Good stuff GFR ,,,Ya got to love the Dora,,,,

[GiantFlyingRobots]

My only sugesstion is that a lot of the panel lines are overdrawn and too dark...but it's still a WIP so I'll shutup.

Don't shut up, when it comes to the Dora, I suspect that you have forgotten more than I'll ever know on this subject.

Anyway it proved to be sage advice, this is one of the reasons that I like to post WIP's fresh eyes, fresh perspective.

90% done 90% to go.

[Otterkins2]

Looking sharp! About time to put clothes on the lady I think!

[GiantFlyingRobots]

Whilst I struggle to settle on my next project, seeing Wlads Dora has inspired me to take yet another look at mine.

As I know next to nothing and i'm actually quite terrified of Luftwaffe colour schemes and the experten that invariably will rip my interpretation to shreds, I was hoping that somebody would provide me with an analysis of the colours on the images attached.

I sure that this image is quite well known. I think I've seen it profiled someplace but don't seem to be able to find it amongst my 'files'.

Any help or other references/interpretations will be very appreciated.

[Otterkins2]

Here's two versions for you GFR.....

[JMSmith]

ah ah ah ah ah ah ah a ahhhhhahahahahah

i refuse to coment on these very well known and rather dubious profiles,just look at the photo and tell me how they came up with these colours this is why i dont profile late war luftwaffe fighters (yet)

[BLOWHARD]

hehehehehee-

rather dubious profiles

This first one is pretty close. HOWEVER, what I didn't know until after I built my model, there is color 8mm film of this plane in a private collection. I saw a few color prints at an IPMS national a few years back. Anyway, there is little dispute to it's color.

I'll post the most up to date info I have later tonight.

[Jesters-Ink]

I'll post the most up to date info I have later tonight.

Yes please

[BLOWHARD]

OK, I had to think about this a while, quite a dilemma. I was planning on scanning a bunch of stuff but then I thought better of it. I've never met the guys at JaPo, but I've met Jerry Crandall a few times. I can't, in good conscience, scan their stuff. Plus, it's late and it's a school night. At least that's the story I'm sticking with

But, I'll tell you this:
First, for those of you who aren't die hard Luft guys from way back, you should be aware this particular plane was the subject of greatly detailed research by David Brown aka Experten Decals. I used these decals and the detailed book that came with them, along with correspondence with David for my D9.
Experten ED-1 Addendum
But it seems every year more info comes to light!
This plane is covered in great detail in part 1 of Crandall's Dora 9 book. 9 pages total, 2 color photos, one is from the 8mm and the other is the famous post capture color print. It also includes 2 profiles, port and starboard, of the plane by our boy Thomas Tullis.
The color text includes-
Undersides: light green (sometimes called RLM 84, sometimes refereed to as light green primer) bare metal wing sections (hopefully you're familiar with the different partial painting schemes that have been identified) RLM 76 rudder (and I think ailerons, although they aren't mentioned in the text)
Fuselage: both RLM 82 and 83 green forward section, with 81 rear section, RLM75 mottle on the rudder.
Loads of red oxide primer patches and panel lines under the wings and on the fuselage.
And, GET THIS, blue 12, not black 12 as has been stated. I'm not 100% sure about the blue. It could be blue, but it could also be faded blue-ish black. Tullis/Crandall state the 12 is dark blue, and it certainly is dark.
In any case, Tullis puts his reputation on those colors and I wouldn't take that lightly.
But those wings???
Brown concluded that they are RLM 81 and the same "light green" color on the fuselage.
However, in the color 8mm film you can see it's more blue-ish, like 75.
Now we're in JaPo territory-
JaPo's part 2 of 190 D9 Camouflage and Markings devotes 9 pages to "blue"12 including several stills from the 8mm film. . That's right, they see blue as well. The two most trusted Luftwaffe publishers agree it's blue and not black 12.
JaPo does a much more well organized and workman like job of detailing this plane and includes both port and starboard views as well as top and bottom color paintings. These are EXCELLENT, perhaps not as photo-realistic as Tullis' but more sober and easier to read.
JaPo comes to pretty much the same conclusion although with quite a bit of reasoning and discussion of the colors and their use on similar WrN groups and dates etc.
But the wings; they conclude the darker color id 81 and the lighter is 76 or a dark variation of 76. And like I said, they give VERY detailed reasons for their conclusion.

Anyway, that's about it. Other than to mention our sponsors,
JaPo
JaPo publishing - Products – World War II Books
MOST EXCELLET and worthy books. I would strongly recommend these if you can spare the cash, I believe they are well worth it, or worth even more!!!
Eagle Editions
Dora Vol. one
Dora Vol. two
Not quite as mind boggling as JaPo but equally worth the cash!!!
Experten
Experten Products
More for the plastic modeler but perhaps the first serious detailed research in this field.
I'd consider Experten booklets as prized collectors nuggets


Oh, one more fun thing: I made these in preparation for building my D9 using Brown/Experten research exclusively. An early attempt at computer profiles? I've learned a bit since then

[BLOWHARD]

...I think I just wrote a book...and I think it's past my bed time!!!!!!