RAF SEAC colour schemes

Thanks Dave, much appreciated. Lovely flying shot

Dave, do you have a copy of the photo of HB275? I’d be very interested in seeing it.

Cheers, Rob

PS, the correct spelling is ‘Expeditor’, it’s a very common mistake

It’s an IWM photo, small version of it is here

and another:

Dave, do you have a copy of the photo of HB275? I’d be very interested in seeing it.

Cheers, Rob

PS, the correct spelling is ‘Expeditor’, it’s a very common mistake

Now there is a question I have pondered many times over the years!!

There are not many published pics of RAF Expediters in SEAC camo – a side on view of HB275 being the most common one. Plenty of post war ones in overall aluminium, or of FAA ones.

I agree the upper surfaces should probably be Dark earth and Dark Green, but the underside is the puzzle. Malcolm’s suggestion of MSG makes sense, but the official scheme for communications aircraft was yellow undersides, and the picture of HB275 does seem to have brighter undersides than MSG would give. But then, SEAC went their own way on these things……

I’m currently building a 1/72 Beech 18, and the marking scheme on the back gives two options, one USN and the other RAF. The RAF one is supposed to be KJ555, based in India, 1945. The colour scheme for it is dark green and ocean grey on top, with medium sea grey undersides. Is this accurate for a SEAC Beech 18 in 1945?

The only colour reference I have is the Exeter based Beech 18 painted in SEAC markings, which is dark green/dark brown over light blue. Any thoughts/information/photographs (especially as i’m yet to see any photos of Beech 18’s in RAF service, even b/w) welcome.

Cheers, Rob

If the aircraft is painted according to the theatre scheme in 1945 it should be DG/DE over MSG. Light Blue would be a bit unlikely as it was no longer in use in RAF schemes at that time.