I’m starting to suspect that it’s sea grey on the top but the fact it’s a glossy or semi-gloss finish is what’s giving it the appears of a metalic shine. Certainly makes the most sense. I’ve counted at least 4 individual Horsa’s painted this way.

This is insane really – I started out doing a bit of research for a friend and after spending months analysing pictures have so far managed to find 6 different basic paint schemes and when you add in variations in markings/roundels, etc. you end up with close to 20 different ways a Horsa could be painted in the space of 10 years.

As for when they were withdrawn – 1950 seems to be the end of them just before the regiment was disbanded.

http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=111658