Tires were never black?

I know this may be a horribly novice question - but I have read that tires on planes of the first world war were never black, but rather pink/light brown or grey...was this due to the production of rubber of that period...or was rubber not used...could someone elaborate?

[PeterL]

As I understand it you are correct. Tyres were made of a much softer rubber (perhaps akin to "India Rubber") which was the pinkish grey colour you describe. Additionally they would quickly pick up a patina from whatever surface they came into cotact with, and in Flanders we are told this was "chalky". I presume this is a modelers question.

cheers

Peter L

just a dumb modeler

Oscar,

You and Peter are both correct. Natural rubber is not black, but light in color as you describe. The refining process also contributes to variation in color.

Natural rubber was made black with the addition of carbon-black (a petroleum by-product) and required an additional production step. This was done for aesthetic reasons on automobiles. Many pictures of early automobiles also show natural- rubber tires, before black tires became common.

However, this was unnecessary for utility and/or military usage, plus it would have been an added expense to the War Departments.

Later, with the invention of synthetic rubber, cheaper black dyes could be added in the beginning of the process. In a bit of a reversal, "whitewall" tires became common on American automobiles, whereby a white bead was added to the tire as it was formed.

Synthetic rubber was developed (along with women's nylons and other products) because Japanese aggression in Asia in the 1930's threatened to cut the supplies of rubber, silk, and other natural resources.

Hope this was of help to you.

Best Wishes,
Gary

Really? I didn't know that. Thanks for the tip.