Hi Bruce.
I think you are right. Vehicle paint would have initially been theatre dependent, wireless sets were painted with whatever paint the manufacturer found it could get a reliable supply of at any given time. I have had a lot of colour variations in sets pass through my hands over the years as well, but can now only match up the few still in my collection.
Currently I can match up:
19-Set Mk II (Cdn): RCA Canada Transceiver and Philco USA PSU in No. 2 Brown Wrinkle
19-Set Mk III (Cdn): All RCA Canada in semi flat OD
19-Set A/C PSU: RCA Canada in semi flat No. 2 Brown
27-Set (Cdn): Rogers Majestic Canada in wrinkle No. 2 Brown
58-Set Mk I (Cdn): Addison Industries in a weird flat green/brown
19-Set Crystal Calibrator: Marconi Canada in wrinkle OD
Vibrator Converter: Electronic Laboratories of Canada in semi gloss OD
A number of years ago I also had a British Pye Communications Receiver Set that was wrinkle black.
The one other observation I can think of is that I have never seen an original paint on a Wireless Remote Control Unit No. I Canadian, or Field Phone Set that was not a flat finish. Perhaps that is related to these items all having wooden cases and maybe wrinkle paints were a metal only finish.
I would be interesting to see what other colours show up from the USA and other Commonwealth areas. I think Australia made their own wireless equipment, not sure about New Zealand.
David
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