Question: does anyone know what the original color scheme was for the Il-28 Soviet bombers delivered to China in c.1952-53? Some sources indicate an overall green upper surface, with powder blue undersurface. Other sources state the Il-28’s were painted a silver/aluminum color. All photos I have seen of camouflaged Il-28’s were taken in either the mid or late sixties. A book on the Chinese civil war published in Taiwan depicts upper fuselage in green i 1954 but offers no photos taken in 1954.
Thank you for any insight on this topic.
By: Arabella-Cox - 1st November 2012 at 20:28
When they left the factory ca. early 1950s, the Il-28 was finished exclusively in what is often called “NMF”; that is to say a clear gloss lacquer over the aluminium skinning.
However, some aircraft which were specified for export to Egypt were painted with that service’s two-colour camouflage in the USSR prior to delivery. Is it possible that the same was done for Chinese examples? I really do not know, alas.
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November 1, 2012 at 5:15 am