Vonbraun

RLM 81 and 82 were purposely developed because the older RLM 70 and 71 would fade to dark gray on exposure to the elements. The new hues were successfully tested for resistance to fading and placed into service replacing the older 70/71 combination. RLM directed manufacturers to employ residual stocks of 70/71 in combinations of 70/82 and 71/81. Testing for color for the new shades was impossible because sample test cards for 81 and 82 had not been delivered. Extant factory camouflage diagrams (Oberflachenschutzliste) list RLM 81 and 82 with no mention of 83. There are no RLM or Luftwaffe sources that describe the use of RLM 83 as a late war camouflage color or in any combination with RLM 81 or 82. Evidence for a late war green RLM 83 used as a camouflage color is exclusively based on speculative interpretations of surviving relics and period photographs.

Considering that two prominent researchers in the field (Michael Ullmann and Jerry Crandall) are of substantially differing views on the nature of RLM 83 and the fact that we are having this discussion would lead me to believe that the matter of the late war Luftwaffe greens is far from settled.

Here are color photos of a captured Ta 152 with most of its original paint intact. And here is a composite made from a film depicting a Fw 190 A in Focke Wulf's late war greens. Production Ta 152 very likely would be analogous.

Thank you 303sqn for a very informative post!

Thank you Procopius! It would appear that Trumpeter got it right. Also the MPM kit has marking for the same aircraft, albeit identified as a Mk IV, with the same marking sequence.

Can anyone confirm the code sequence on the starboard side of Wellington BH-V Z1382. Trumpeter' s painting guide shows the squadron code of BH to the right of the roundel. I have not found a photo of this specific machine but other aircraft assigned to 300 Squadron seem to follow the convention of the squadron code painted on the left side of the roundel on the starboard side the aircraft. Is Trumpeter in error or was this aircraft an exception to the rule?

Very impressive! I have always thought that that weathered Olive Drab was a difficult finish to reproduce in miniature. Your P-40 looks real!

Exceptional. It looks real!

Exceptional, it looks like a real aircraft.

Here is a link with lots of color interior shots of a restored Ju 88.

This is the first I've heard that US and Commonwealth P-40Es had different seats. Does anyone have more details or photos documenting the difference?

Glad to be of service. As for the image it is one of several hundred I have stumbled onto and saved to file. I believe that this particular image was sourced from Zona Militar

On the Bf 109 F a glass panel 57 mm thick could be externally mounted to an 8mm front windscreen. On the G-K series there was an 8 mm Plexiglas windscreen a 12 mm gap and then an internal glass plate of 60 mm.

Exactly. The Monogram Close Up book on the Bf 109 F gives a detailed explanation with accompanying drawings. Monogram Bf 109 F

Yes.

Look at the trailing edge of the upper radiator flap...

In the photo posted the trailing edge of the upper radiator flap appears to be the two piece affair consistent with the Bf 109 F. On the G series the upper flap is a single piece...

For the P-40 obsessed here are a few screenshots from the video showing the original Curtiss applied paint at the wing root and the RAF applied Azure Blue over the original Sky Gray... Hopefully the aircraft was meticulously photographed prior to its restoration.

Here is a link with some info on Hartmann's winter camouflaged G-6...Hartmann

http://www.aviationofjapan.com/2008/05/two-tone-zeros-over-china.html

The Bf 109 images are from a film entitled "2. Staffel 1. Jagdgeschwader 77 " "Grünherzen" filmed in 1939. Here are a few more images which are perhaps more representative of the nature of the contrast between 70 and 71. Here is a link to the film: JG 77

Here are a few more screen shots featuring blue P-26s and P-30s. The blue has a discernible turquoise characteristic that is quite different than the blue commonly depicted for USAAC aircraft of the period. Is the turquoise trait also exhibited in the Air Corps' Light Blue 23 porcelain enamel chips?

Excellent detective work occa!

Wow! Those are the first color images I've seen of the P-26 in actual service! Thank you for posting!

The photos are dated July 23, 1934. The change from OD to blue fuselages was approved in February 1934, and the T/O published three months later, i.e., May 1934. So some aircraft could have been repainted in the early summer. However, due to budgetary concerns, the repainting was scheduled to coincide with major maintenance. So could some aircraft have been repainted prior to July 1934? Yes it is possible but I think unlikely.