On average we get more requests for plans,data,colourschemes etc than for any other subject,a request for a particular scheme worn by an aircraft flown by a builders father,an aeroplane that the person had a flight in years ago,cockpit details for a particular type or a technical specification or plan for an individual type ? now let me say this,and this is very important all model builders of scale subjects should throughly research the model they intend to build,not only this but the should be able to put together a dosier of that machine photographs,cuttings and sketches,plans,3-view drawings should all be there,such information can be obtained in many ways but one factor comes into all of the equation,and that is 'Time' something that very few of us have enough of ! the secret is to gradually gather that said information over the years,just as our model building can be a slow process then so also is the gathering of priceless information,for one I realised long ago that sorting through thousands of magazines simply was not the answer,so I set about organising my collection of pictures,photographs and plans once and for all,this was over 40 years ago,and since that time my library has grown and takes up a small closet ( see picture above ) each folder is clearly labelled with the manufacturers name,placed into alphabetical order so that access is easy,now I can reach for a particular folder and plough through information regarding that subject,add notes and plans at whim,it works believe me !
There are numerous resources available to everyone who has the desire to obtain information,you can apply for a readers research ticket at the countries numerous archives and libraries and museums,even local archives are a mine of information,last year I spent every Friday on research at my local archives researching details of our local airport for my web site,this was needed to supplement photographs that I had taken whilst working at that particular airport,it proved a very fruitful exercise if not time consuming and at times tedious getting the exact material that I needed,sometimes it needed to be ordered weeks in advance,but that is all part of the fun,once you stumble upon what you want then its bingo !
Local newspaper offices shpuld also not be ignored either,all of them carry their own archives even if not copies of their publications then microfliche film or hopefully computer records of events,machines and people in that community.
The internet provides the very best but not the only source of info,sometimes it will lead you to a professional library where you have to pay money,but if the subject is important enough to you then that is a small price to pay,libraries and buildings where archives are kept cost money to run so keep this in mind during your research.
Sometimes you hit really lucky and find individual people who are connected with your project,for example only last year I typed in the name of someone and up came a family tree,this led me to the daughter of the person I was looking for,subsequent communications revealed a whole host of info despite the person in question being quite elderly,he was however delighted that I had tracked him down,this chance meeting enabled me to fill in some precious details for which I was truly grateful for my project.
One word about such events,always hold every respect for locating such people or information sources,rather than bulldoze straight in get to know the people that you are dealing with first,normally things will just happen and take their course and you could be quite surprised as to what is forthcoming,faded but precious pictures from yesteryear at the least,make notes and sketches,and always return material that has been loaned for your use soon as possible,in other words have the utmost respect for people and their personal possessions.
In a lot of cases details of long lost material can be located this way,it is up to you to spend time and put effort into what you research,but be warned,not everyone will respond usefully and provide you with unlimited material,or above all show the same enthusiasm as yourself !
The golden rule when looking for info is this-Always exhaust all possible normal avenues of research available to you,if the plan,photograph or knowledge is not forthcoming then more in-depth work is required,you are the sleuth and above all you are the one who needs the information.
From personal experience in my own extensive research over the years it has proved a most interesting task,sometimes interspersed with flustration and the end of the road,but get it right and you will get a real sense of a job well done.
The internet gets better every day as more enthusiasts and people come on board,that mine of knowledge can now sometimes be shared from the comfort of your own home,but remember still be prepared to do some footwork for the information that you require,best of luck !