Very clear reading of the image I’d say Steve. The non-removal of the side cockpit panels point to brush painting the dark tone as well, because they were obviously not worried about overspray being an issue.IMHO, this is something that’s hard to conclude from a black-and-white photo, though. What if this photo has been printed a bit light, for example? The problem is finding something of a known shade to compare with, though …
AFAIK, they’re there to allow the pilot to see over his shoulder. Without the recessed areas and the glazing panels, he would just see the fuselage, but this is enough to get a better view to the rear.
However, I personally wouldn’t take any absolute colour inferences from a black and white shot. You don’t know if the photographer used filters, very widely available, for example, and these can very easily lighten or darken the shade. An example on this shot is that the light Camo colour and the spinner look to be absolutely the same colour, but we know they are not. Different photo emulsions can also be more sensitive to some colours than others, so changing how they appear. If the photographer wanted to emphasise this he could use a red filter to lighten the spinner. In this case he may have used a green filter to lighten the grass and make the aircraft stand out on the image…..this is obviously a high quality portrait image and the photographer may well have been using filters.
There is a bit more on it here…..I know it’s using modern kit, but the technique remains valid. Look at the guys hat in the Ilford delta 400 picture sequence to see what happens to his red hat under the filters.
A Guide to color filter used with B&W Film - The Darkroom Photo Lab
This comprehensive guide explains the uses and attributes when using yellow, orange, red, and green filters with black and white film photography.
thedarkroom.com
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