[flypaper]

According to Alan Toelle in a letter published in issue 104 "WWI Aero" upon inspection of the Guynemer's Spad VII in Paris before restoration the finish was linen, followed by CLEAR cellulose acetate, finished with fatty varnish, the color due to the natural color of the linen plus the yellowing of the coatings. So according to him the Spad VII was not painted but clear coated. Mr. Toelle called this color "chamois" and gives it a Methuen 4-5 B 4-5. A pigmented (but slightly darker) copy of this color was used "on metal and wood parts adjacent to fabric parts, for example the rudder post"

He goes on to cover the darker painted nose of the Spad with the a color he calls "caramel" to which he gives the Methuen 5 D-E 5-6. This color was only used on the forward fuselage.

Sorry but at the moment I cant put my hand on my copy of Methuen book, but some of my notes point to X-tra paint "French WWII chamois" as a good match to Methuen 5B5, for the linen finish, and a slightly darker version for the pigmented dope used on metal and wood parts adjacent to the linen finish. As for the darker "caramel" Humbrols "#94 Yellow Brown" falls within the Methuen 5 E 4-5 he calls out in his letter.

I hope the above is helpful.