Vampire prototype colour scheme

[John R]

Ocean Grey topside and Aluminium underneath?

John

[Graham Boak]

Prototypes will have had Yellow undersides. I think I've seen an early Vampire in the High Altitude Fighter scheme of Medium Sea Grey over PRU Blue, but Ocean Grey by itself would be odd.

[Work In Progress]

Yes, I would struggle to buy it being ocean grey and would think MSG more likely. I would say the second pic, shot on orthochromatic film, makes the undersides the yellow one would expect for a prototype (same colour as the P mark)

Edited March 2, 2016 by Work In Progress

[gingerbob]

There was a lengthy discussion (?) about this in the past- I'll see if I can find the thread.

bob

[gingerbob]

Easier than expected (and not so lengthy). HERE

[John R]

I was going by the instructions for the Amodel kit which specified Ocean Grey topside in 1946 changing to MSG later on. I think the first Meteors had Ocean Grey.

Yellow underside sounds sensible.

Thanks

John

[John R]

Gingerbob Thank you for that. I shall study it carefully.

You posted whilst I was typing

John

[Work In Progress]

It's not the most evidential of threads, tbh, suffering badly from meaningless conversions of irrelevant photographs from colour to mono

Edited March 2, 2016 by Work In Progress

[Mike Starmer]

The prototype Vanpire was MSG on top with Yellow underneath. The prototype Meteor was Ocean Grey and Dark Green on top, yellow underneath.

[The original Kit Builder]

The prototype Meteor was, as far asI know, Dark Earth and Dark Green on top, as were most prototype aircraft during the war.

[Graham Boak]

However, later in the war fighter prototypes (e.g. Tempest, Fury, Spiteful, MB 5) began appearing in the Day Fighter scheme of Dark Green and Ocean Grey, or in the case of the Vampire (and possibly the Hornet?), in the High Altitude Fighter scheme. So it may depend upon just which Meteor prototype is being discussed.

Edited March 3, 2016 by Graham Boak

[Mike Starmer]

Prototype Meteor DG202/G first flew March 1943. The day fighter scheme then was DG/OG which is correct for the intended role of the aircraft. I saw this aircraft in the 1960s at RAF Gaydon Warks. when it was DE/DG on top. Repaints then weren't so picky as some now. The Me 262 there was light blue basic overall with Dark Sea Grey hard edged blotches on top.. I may still have the photographs.

[David A Collins]

The prototype Vanpire was MSG on top with Yellow underneath. The prototype Meteor was Ocean Grey and Dark Green on top, yellow underneath.

Correct. The prototype Vampire was MSG on top, with Yellow underneath. Exactly the same as both Hornet prototypes.

[viscount806x]

The prototype Meteor was, as far asI know, Dark Earth and Dark Green on top, as were most prototype aircraft during the war.

A tricky one that but I agree with you based on the date of first flight. My own prototype built from the Airfix F3 a few years back without tail bullet and very early back canopy has DE/DG/TY but always I have those lingering doubts. Another early prototype model I have, from the Tamiya kit, has later features such as Sky band, tail bullet, F1 canopy and OG/DG/TY colours. I'm pretty sure on that one.

Nige B

[Seahawk]

Another early prototype model I have, from the Tamiya kit, has later features such as Sky band, tail bullet, F1 canopy and OG/DG/TY colours. I'm pretty sure on that one.

A propos of not very much, those details and colours would also fit EE213 and EE214, the "yellow bellies" delivered to 616 Squadron for conversion training in July 1944. Probably uncoded and probably unarmed. In August returned to Glosters to be brought up to full operational standard.

Edited July 25, 2016 by Seahawk