29 Sqn Beaufighters – a plea from the USA

29 Squadron were equipped with Beaufighter Mk Ifs from Sept 1940 until May 1943 and Mk VIfs from March 1943 until May 1943 (after that Mosquitoes). Until November 1942 night fighters were painted overall Night (black). After that Medium Sea Grey/Dark Green was adopted. The Mk IV was a converted Mk If fitted with Griffon engines. This mark was not proceeded with.

Photos. Mk If B-RO V8324 painted Special Night. Bambi and Thumper badge on the nose.

L-RO serial unknown. A service repaint of MSG/DG. The tailplane is apparently all DG. Squadron Leader’s pennant on the nose.

Duff keyboard and not checking before posting, antoni, I did mean Beaufighter VIf.

Night was the introduced as the night flying camouflage colour from 1937, made from Carbon Black and Ultramarine pigments. This gave it a dark grey (gunmetal) appearance rather than true black. From Sept 1939 it was superseded by Special Night which consisted only of Carbon Black pigment of a larger size than that usually used in camouflage colours. This gave it a much more matt appearance sometimes described as ‘sooty black.’ Often referred to as RDM 2 or RDM 2a Special Night. The difference between RDM 2 and RDM 2a was chemical and it did not affect its appearance. It had two problems in service. First it tended to come off easily, often because of faulty application, and also the extra drag affected the performance of aircraft. Because of a shortage of Special Night it was sometimes applied over an ‘undercoat’ of Night. Such aircraft have a characteristic patchy appearance with shiny areas of Night where the RDM 2 had worn away.

Beaufighter Mk If X7673 of 29 Squadron sometimes flown by Flt Lt Guy Gibson during Nov/Dec 1940. Typical well worn Special Night finish. Serial red code letter E Medium Sea Grey, possibly Sky Grey.

It’s worth pointing out that ‘Special Night’ was even more matt-finish than standard Night (which I believe had some blue in the mix which made it hard wearing). Special Night had a habit of degrading very quickly – there are some photos of very chipped, worn and patchy Beaus out there. (So you can really go to town on the weathering of that model!)

I know some nightfighter Beaus definitely wore Special Night (as antoni pointed out) but I’m not sure how many or whether others wore standard Night. Can anyone shed any light?

Beaufighter Thanks

Thanks for all the info, the picture of “Bambi” is exactly what I was looking for. Anyothers out there.

Chuck
Ohio ANG

Thank you, everyone, for your contributions. I hope soon to hear that my correspondent now has the information he needs.

Papa Lima

29 Squadron were equipped with Beaufighter Mk Ifs from Sept 1940 until May 1943 and Mk VIfs from March 1943 until May 1943 (after that Mosquitoes). Until November 1942 night fighters were painted overall Night (black). After that Medium Sea Grey/Dark Green was adopted. The Mk IV was a converted Mk If fitted with Griffon engines. This mark was not proceeded with.

Photos. Mk If B-RO V8324 painted Special Night. Bambi and Thumper badge on the nose.

L-RO serial unknown. A service repaint of MSG/DG. The tailplane is apparently all DG. Squadron Leader’s pennant on the nose.

Beaufighter 29 Sqdn

Try “Royal Air Force Organisational History” web site, it gives the full story and details.

dakota2

An officer I met last year, based with the Columbus ANG Unit (KC-135 tankers, incidentally) is building a model of a Beaufighter, night fighter version, of 29 Squadron, and wishes to know what the definitive colour scheme was worn by the unit (black matt or sea grey/green).
Papa Lima

29 operated both the Beaufighter If (1941-43) and Beaufighter IVf (1943 March to May) versions. Mark If most likely Night (black), IVf’s most likely Medium Sea Grey/Dark Green.

P.S.

Papa Lima, did you get that Bloodhound disc?

All black, I think.

Best wishes
Steve P