Wheel cover weathering

[Epee]

On many models and period photos I see a "lightened" round patch in the middle of the wheel cover, in cases so perfect that it seems painted. Was this effect caused by mud and dust collecting or because pigment was getting rubbed off or yet some other reason?

[Sreiko]

All of this what you have mentioned

[Taz]

Epee- On the Fokker fighters, the theory is the wheel was spun and an olive paint charged paint brush was used to paint the outer portion of the wheel. Whether the inner portion was then painted using the same brush with paint now mostly gone or was painted with a more thinned and thus lighter paint, is still up for grabs.

Taz
Terry phillips

[StephenLawson]

You see the same effect on the later Fokker D.VII types from OAW using the colours of mauve and dk green. Painted of course.