From a RAAF document identifying paints being made obsolete in August 1948 a number of camouflage paints were identified (around 20 or so).
I do not know if these were used on aircraft, but what interests me is that a code letter as used as part of the description.
Does anyone know if these were used on aircraft and how the “letter” system worked?
K4/10085 Paint camouflage matt oil base light slate grey B
K4/10086 ” ” ” ” ” slate grey C
K4/10087 ” ” ” ” ” dark grey D
etc
By: Graham Boak - 27th November 2017 at 22:04
For wartime use the appropriate colour references were prefixed with K3, from the specification number. The colours were those which applied to anything in the RAAF, not just aircraft. For example, Sky Blue was K3/195. There’s no suggestion of any parallel alphabetical code. My source is the 1999 (first revision) Red Roo publication “Understanding RAAF Colours” by Peter Malone and Gary Byk, which in turn references the BALM document “Synopsis of Aircraft Finishes and Sundry Paint Products” March 1945.
I assume that postwar this was replaced by specification K4, but that’s a guess.
Ian Baker’s series of booklet is indeed superb, but you will find it difficult (and expensive) to obtain a set.
By: Malcolm McKay - 26th November 2017 at 22:19
Have you accessed the monographs by Ian Baker?
By: QldSpitty - 26th November 2017 at 05:10
No sky or Pale Blue?
By: aircraftclocks - 25th November 2017 at 06:21
Looking at it further, it seems the letter codes are related to paints intended for camouflage purposes.
The type of paint does not seem to make a different.
A given colour can be used for another type/purpose of paint and it’s “letter” is not included in the description.
The codes appear to be:
A White
B Light slate grey
C Slate grey
D Dark grey
E Purple grey
F Grey green
G Dark grey
H Light green
J Khaki green
K Foliage green
L Scrub green
M Dark green
N Light stone
O Warm sand
P Light brown
Q Darwin stone
R Red
S Basalt red
T Dark earth
W Light earth
I would guess that there should be 3 or 4 more on the list as well.
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November 25, 2017 at 12:33 am