Nee-nah, Nee-nah – Definitely one for the roundel police

RAAF were the first to remove red from the roundels – as could be mistaken for the Japanese Hinomaru marking – in the summer of 1942.

Got worse up to 1943 when there were a flurry of messages about the fact that the Americans were having difficulty in identifying British aircraft from their topsides bcause of the fading of the roundel blue into the top surface colours -leaving only the red centre portion visible – which was id’ as a Hinomaru by some in the heat of combat. In late June 43, the change was authorised for RAF aircraft – but it was subsequently found that the stark white and roundel blue markings compromised camouflage on the ground – hence the mixing of the pale blue for the centre portion (4 parts white to 1 part roundel blue)

Presumably FAA aircraft did not need the pale blue centre portion as there was no need for camouflage on the ground as with RAF aircraft.

Later BPF markings comprising an amalgam of the US star and bar and the RAF roundel( with the red bit removed) were intended to further aid recognition

Fully signed up members of the roundel police may know more

did i read somewhere – probably Aeroplane – that Bob Jens’ Mossie VR796 was being restored in Spartan colours

or is that not the case?

just a thought

the colour you are recording may be the result of years of weathering, contamination or exposure to UV light – rather than the original colour.

The other thing is that there was some variation in different batches of paint purportedly mixed to match an official specification.

So at the end of the day – unless you find an unopened can of original paint, about right is probably as good as you could get – and nobody would be able to challenge you anyway!

or check with a model maker…………..

Some Spitfire and Swordfish interior colours come to mind – nothing at all like the good auld Aircraft grey-green we all know and love.

perhaps some of the leading aviation mags should do a poll, online if need be?. the results should then be forwarded to the RAF musuem. “let the people speak” as they say!…
as far as changing the sqn codes every so often, this is far harder task to perform on a fabric covered aircraft, ive done some of the colour changes on the BBMF aircraft but the hurricanes went away to be recovered/sprayed. also with todays health n safety regs the wimpy would have to be painted outside the Hendon museum area ie moved to another lacation. its not something that can be easily done in situ amongst the other aircraft and general public.

depends on what type of paint you use doesn’t it?

Yeah, it was a good piece that Pete, we’re all well pleased. Here’s a link to it as we’ve now got it online-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIIbhEhmDEE

(That’s me fiddling about in Bluebird’s cockpit by the way!)

..and a new Christmas message from His Royal Billness……

Is this the Fw58 that’s a a war grave – or is there another one?

Hi Robbo,

Tis a nice piece, we shall just have to wait and see about doing another one.

John

let’s hope that MAPS gets the nod to do another engine, as this will presumably mean that RAFM have had a rethink over the half and half restoration idea.

I too would prefer to see the Wimpey restored to bomber colours, but perhaps they want the silver fabric to reflect the available light in the Bomber Hall around a bit…..

I believe that Nigel Price is taking over at FlyPast!

Not sure about Aeroplane!

Aeroplane has been sold by IPC to Kelsey Publishing – the publishers of Classic Military Vehicles amongst other titles