“M5 Liquid Detector Paint
In early 1941, the Chemical Warfare Service investigated British detector paint similar to the dye-based ones developed during World War I. This one, however, used a blue dye designated B-1 that turned red when liquid drops of mustard agent reacted with it. Although effective as a detector, the paint was not standardized due to some of the ingredients being unavailable. Additional research established that other colors could be added to the blue dye, yet it would still turn red when exposed to liquid mustard agent. This concept eventually led to the development of M5 Liquid Vesicant Detector Paint that was standardized in 1942. The paint was olive drab and could be painted on a surface. It completely dried in about five hours and was effective up to a month. Contact with liquid mustard agent resulted in a red spot, although decontaminating agent and protective ointment could cause a false reaction. Over 7.8 million 4-ounce cans of the paint were procured during World War II. After the war, it was found that the paint also reacted similarly to nerve agents. M5 Detector Paint was obsoleted in 1956”

copied from Richard Crouch site on FB

thought it might interest.

Hi Ken

We have discussed all the variants of gas detector paint on here several times, the search function should bring them up, the M5 is American and I have seen no evidence it was used by British Forces but I would love to be proved wrong as its the easiest to get.

Rob

email (option): robmiller11(a)yahoo.co.uk

oh well, I tried. In my days with ex WD vehicles no one was as picky as these days, any old green that is near enough would pass muster.
Lots of mint as they left the factory bikes, has no one restored one to look as if it had actually seen service?

Hang on Ken. With respect. This is to do with research and historical accuracy. As you would expect from any archive or museum....Not anything that just might do!:thinking_face: Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

..Well Ken, I've restored mine three times in the last 40 odd years, which is much longer than the Army had it...Each time it looked 'mint' (or better than 'mint':laughing: ) and each time it was restored it needed it after lots of use....So, I guess they can be 'mint' and 'in service' over a long enough time scale which should make everyone happy....Ian

Well Ron, we Dutchies are always laughing about "Museum Restorations" as they are usually the worst! don't mean your very nice private museum of course, but only 20 miles from you is a museum, with terrible WD bikes!

If needed, I can post pictures of the 2 types of gas paints used on British vehicles and bikes.

We have moved on from the 70's MVT spirit, and especially here in Holland, we seem to be the rivet counters of the world! well I guess someone has to do it....

Cheers,

Lex

email (option): welbike@outlook.com

Lex, There must be "statiegeld" on rivets ! :grinning:

Personally, I don't see that many "Ex-factory" restorations at all and as Ian says, once they're built, the wearing-out begins again.

"but only 20 miles from you is a museum, with terrible WD bikes!" Lex

it's only 15 miles the way I go! :relaxed: Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Was only "guestimating" Ron! saw Sammy running around Cheddar, incredible, he must be in his 90's!

No returns on the rivets Rik! But I have not seen the military bike scene so big in Holland since now!!
My theory/motto on wearing out bikes is, that if you have enough of them, you can spread the wear and tear, over many bikes, and you will only do a limited amount of miles on a singular bike in the collection, and they will last a lot longer!

That's the way to do it Ian! have had my share of serious offroading too!

Cheers,

Lex



PS, Oh, look at the MKI gaspaint!

email (option): welbike@outlook.com

And then there's being silly:smiley: Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com