After quite a bit of research, I've found that more of the late 1930's A4s appear to have red backed nameplates. It was a known fact that the special A4s had red plates (Original 4, Commonwealth, West Ridding and Director examples) but the bird name A4s have long been thought to have standard black. I've found several colour examples of red backed bird name A4s and one of these was 4466 'Herring Gull'. You have already seen Herring Gull in this thread, but I've made some alterations.
I believe I read somewhere that the Commonwealth A4s had red plates that matched the wheels.....and this niggled with the Fox plates I original added, the red was far too light (suiting the BR period). My friend Simon Martin decided to have a go at repainting his nameplates and the results have been pleasing. The colour now seems to look right, and like the prototype I've used the same paint as I did for the wheels.
Although preservation cannot be relied on for authenticity it's interesting that 4489 'Dominion of Canada's plates are the same colour as the wheels, and as you can see in the photo with my Father below, BITTERN appears to have been done the same way. This was taken at the Great Goodbye.
Anyhow, enough of my ramberlings. Here is 4466 with repainted nameplates.
Another modification. Although the lamp irons on Hornby A4s look very nice, they are not very practical if you wish to have correct lamps used when running. I therefore took the decision to replace the outer two lamp irons (most A4s in this period are going to be on Express Headcodes) with staples. Once painted these look quite in keeping, plus allow lamps to be fitted properly.
I am probably going to do this on all my A4s. Not for the display cabinet....but for replicating the work they did in the late 1930s!
), it means the effect of the weather. Which could be taken as extending to other elements of the environment that are carried in the air, like smoke and steam, diesel oil and exhaust, or brake dust. But your point is sound of course - too many folk think it's all about grime and decay, or just making something look a mess.