WWII Weathering Fallacy or Truth. Accuracy.

[OldManModeler]

So, this is in the armor or armour subsection, depending on your english.

There is the artist - modeler -mindset, and the reality.

You fellow modelers do know, that the WWII armored and soft-skinned vehicles never lasted more than a few years. Maybe 3 or 4 years at the very best. Most less than a year. So the deep weathering that I see on many models is most likely due to the 'modelers realm' of realism. Which is about art, not reality. The 'modeler's realm'.

The modeler's realm of realism is that look.; Like the vehicle went through 20 years of weather and combat.

WWII tanks with rust lines down the full side hull, is just art. In reality those tanks were blown to pieces or repainted in the field. Long before those rust lines hit the ground. Unless you are building an artifact relic 20 years after the war ended.

That being said, for those whom strive, and maybe loose sleep over a model kits accuracy; Might do well to consider the life of these vehicles. Weathering looks good as a model. It looks incredible. But for a purist, it was not the reality.

I appreciate the beauty of deeply weathered WWII vehicles as an observer of built models. Just like you all. But if you think that deep weathering such that it looks like it was a war vehicle for decades is your goal; Consider the reality.

I am convinced that weathering model plastic kits has fallen into antique visual stimulation that is not accurate. It is stimulating to the eye, and people may say that is very cool. And even to the purist modeler. But was it real?

With all good intents. Continued...

Be well. Model on.

Eric

 

[OldManModeler]

So, this takes us to a place, in WWII modeling. Does one seek reality or the art form?

Reality? Or the modelers realm?

The common acceptance of a great model is based on and in the skilled modelers realm, which is the art form. Deep weathering and rust all over and such. Looks like the vehicle went to hell and back and still keeps going. Faded paint, etc.

But that is not the reality of the actual vehicles that were in use back then. Because that reality was, and is; Boring.

So the two directions are; What the common modelling community likes. Or what was real. Continued...

Be well. Model on.

Eric

 

[OldManModeler]

Because of this concept and observation, I try to build as close to reality as possible. In my own kit builds. And I will win no awards.

But, I like and appreciate the fictional built kits in the modelers realm. They look better than my kits do. Because they are art. Not necessarily reality.

It's like seeing a beautiful picture, woman or car. The beauty of the eye is catching and crazy attractive, but the reality is that it's a lot of work, may not be real, and it is expensive. But most everyone likes it.

Be well. Model on.

Eric

 

[Rob]

Very well said. Very well indeed.

 

[BarleyBop]

But was it real?

Art, theater, smoke and mirrors.
Perception. Imagination.
I think there are more than a few things at play here.

I believe you are correct in your assessment of the popular 'drift' towards an improbable rendering of historic vehicles...

I also think that it is only natural for us to attribute deep weathering (corrosion) to these artifacts that were in their prime for a few months in the 1940s. It must be old! I just saw an old guy in the bathroom mirror brushing my teeth!

Now weathering that is the normal wear of steel against steel, with mud, rain, dust, improvised camo, sloppy field painting, graffiti, that is something else.

Then there is the fact that freshly painted plastic looks like, well, freshly painted plastic. We want it to look heavy, and solid, and tough: the easiest way is to peel away the paint, show some rust, right down to the bare metal. See, it's cast iron!
Now that looks like a real vehicle!

My last point might seem a bit academic, but bear with me. The theory of simulacra. It was popularized in the movies the Matrix among others. Basically it says that the idea of something developed in a culture becomes more real to the people in that culture than the actual reality.
'Mainstreet USA.' That reality only exists at Disney World, and in our shared imagination and recollection of something that never really existed in quite the same way.
So when the perceived reality becomes so widespread, you will get a lot of pushback.

Maybe we do it just because it is so darn fun!