I like to have my figures painted a basic historical standard . By that I mean I need them to be able to represent multiple differing units so for example no unit markings on WW1 and WW2 stuff. It would be the same for any period then having in slot in command stands that can be more unit specific

I would love to do one off individual units for my armies but pesky economics get in the way

For my own stuff I tend to research things so hard that it leaves no time to paint. But that’s my side of the hobby. I don’t care what people do with their own minis, paint them how you want it wouldn’t bother me in the slightest.

When doing my historical stuff, I like to pick an operation, then a formation, then dig out some photos of that unit, then aim to replicate that as closely as I can. It’s part of the fun and appeal for historical for me. Gets a bit harder with earlier periods, but even then there’s still often at least some information that you can use to get pretty close, at least close to what the existing information presents.

You’ve pretty much answered your own question, it’s as important as you want it to be. If you are into reenacting you obviously have an eye and interest for the right details. If you are painting units up in “questionable colours” you aren’t too fussed about the table top and no one should tell you any different.

My approach to painting forces is that I like them to have a representative scheme for a particular time and force. I am not fussed on getting every detail right. In my mind there is a difference to gaming and modelling for collections.

Purple rather than Field Grey uniforms for Germans might be going a bit far for me, but I would have no problem playing you. I offered to paint up my wife’s tanks for Tanks in any colour she wanted – as she really does have any historical interest – but she (luckily) opted for original schemes. I would though have done it if desired.

If it’s not painted to some degree of historical reality… it’s not historical to me.

I play historical games which tend to be based on real world conflicts in the main so I see a degree of respect and responsibility to get things right. Otherwise… what’s the point?

I don’t really care what others do or how they paint… unless it encroaches on my table.

It’s a visual hobby to me, so I like it to look visually correct to the period in question.