Now we get to another debate about what is the true colour of the protective coating known as 'Aotake', when first applied this coating had an opaque/transparent blue finish but there are examples of it being a very dark opaque green aswell. This reaction has been explained in this way, freshly painted Aotake when constantly exposed such as a wheel well or folding wing tip could react with the elements or weather conditions causing it to darken to the dark green colour found on some examples/pictures. It must be noted that this reaction or darkening of the 'Aotake' would only happen for a short period after first being applied after around 2 months this darkening did not occur There is more proof of this reaction as parts that have turned dark green have been removed from there attachement points on the aircraft and when the unexposed parts were examined they still had the origonal blue coating. Internal wing/fuselage area's that had less exposure also stayed blue and did not darken .
Now it is time to compare the Army version of required protection, 'Aotake' tended only to be used in area's constantly exposed to the elements like wheel wells less if any was used on internal structures .This again throws up the mixing of Army and Navy found parts/examples and using them of examples of 'Aotake ' application on aircraft always try to make sure the examples are from either service and not mixed. Also Army versions would be delivered in there bare metal configuration without the red oxide undercoat's and the surfaces directly sprayed with the top coats, this in my opinion has lead to the statements about the poor quality of Japanese paint during the war period where as no paint job will survive for long and would result in fast wear and chipping when considering the rigours of service life without an undercoat being applied first

Hi Kev
Thanks again for your comments and by all mean's add them to the colour section of the library
Andy