Yep ,read that Eddie but British Aircraft were painted with British Standard colours. This was a system created to do just that ie: ensure that paint colours were consistant and it also means that we do not have to rely on faded or age altered fragments of original paint today when we want to paint our latest Spitfire restoration. Colours certainly do change over time but when one is restoring say a Spitfire one is probably trying to reproduce the colours that it wore in service, ie not that long after the aircraft was manufactured and using British Standard colours is the best way to achieve this. Take a look at ‘British Aviation Colours of World War Two’ (Arms & Armour Press 1976). This book was produced in conjunction with the RAF Museum and “accurately presents the authentic, contemporary details of the camouflage colours, camouflage schemes and national and identification markings used on RAF and Fleet Air Arm aircraft during WWII”. Colour chips in the back illustrate the various colours in question.

Eddie,

This aircraft (the XP-80) is a very good example as it was not painted ‘correctly’ in the first place. When it was restored the mistakes were reproduced and I think this was a good decision. However, this was an individual aircraft and although I agree that it was unlikely that each and every Spitfire that left the factory had exactly the same shade of dark green, unless there is specific evidence to the contrary a restored Spitfire should be painted in the conventional manner (ie British standard colours and correct roundels etc). I do not think it is acceptable to paint it any shade of green, grey etc and with any proportion of roundels with the justification that it varied during the war so it is OK now. There are published paint chips that most restorers today (Historic Flying for example in the case of the Spitfire) accept as being authentic and published documentation showing the proportions and positions of the roundels and the style of serial letters and numbers. These are derived from manufacturers drawings and are considered reliable.

What does everyone else think?

I dont think they will mind 😉

Great shots, Kenneth. Thank you for posting them.

I agree Mark, things are better now but the odd slip still occurs (MH434 current scheme for example). The pre BoB film level of ignorance still pervades in the Spitfire replica world. I know Daz will spring to their defence (owners can paint them whatever colour they like etc) but it is a relevant comparison.

Daz – AB910 has a four blader because of the BBMF policy of prop interchangability. She has had the proper 3 blader from time to time but not at the moment.

I think even I would draw the line at using them as a source of spares. If they are removed from Iraq they should be kept intact and certainly repaired and re-painted in Iraqi markings. If the situation in Iraq stabilises in the future then perhaps they could be returned.

Flood – good point about the Mona Lisa, perhaps the Italians want it back:D !

The Iraqui Furies would be far better off and more likely to continue their charmed existance over here as far as I am concerned. Politically correct or not, ship em over!

Good grief! At that price ($320,000 for the kit alone, minus engine) it would be better to find two other like minded people and buy the real thing!