Ju 88 A family

[Maciej N]

Thanks a lot Clint!
Very interesting news.

[Skyraider3D]

Hmm... unusual... Are there any colour photos of these dark blue aircraft?

[Clint Mitchell]

Unfortunately no. If we did this scheme would have been more widely accepted. There are a few eyewitness accounts of a blue coloured scheme being used in the Med. Sadly it appears that in black and white photos the tones differ very little from that of a 70/71 or 72/73 splinter camouflaged aircraft. Also given the fact that they most probably also had the squiggle/meander applied over the top.

To me it makes sense to paint aircraft flying over the bright blue waters of the Med a deep blue rather than the dark greyish greens more commonly associated with the terrain and sea colours of Northern Europe. The only problem is we have no evidence of what particular shade of blue this could have been. Although the term Royal Blue has been used. The following is some of the German text from the report that has been translated:

"Development and testing of a camouflage for operations in the Mediterranean: Concluded with [the] S-Report of 10.11.43. Paint colour 83 proposed in conjunction with paint colour 72 black-green for maritime [aircraft] and 70 dark green for land aircraft."

So I presume it means the usual splinter patterns would be used but on Maritime aircraft instead of RLM72/73 it would be painted RLM72/83 (Royal Blue) and for Land based aircraft instead of RLM70/71 it would be painted RLM70/83 (Royal Blue).

This is a very significant discovery. What I find exciting is that the units and aircraft operating in the Med that then returned to northern Europe would possibly still be carrying this underlying blue scheme. Albeit quite probably squiggled over considerably to conceal it. Sadly now the possibilities are even more endless.

[Baron]

Hi together!

colour pics would be great! I'm a little bit careful taking Mr. Ullmanns discoveries as the one and only truth. It could be possible that some planes were tested with this blue paint. One example could be the PN+MT http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...rnanstrich.jpg

There is no difference in grey shades at the top visible.

I'm sure most Ju88A-4/Torp (Ju88A-4/LT) and Ju88A-17 were painted in RLM 70/71/65. Also not RLM 72/73. Why should they repaint a finished plane with RLM 72/73 when the base model was built as bomber with RLM 70/71. The subvaraints were modified from base model. RLM 72/73 was in my opinion just used for 100% sea planes like the He 115.

Cheers,

[Clint Mitchell]

How long is a piece of string? It says in the documents that on 10th November 1943 the discussion had been closed with the end result/statement: RLM83 (Dark Blue) suggested for introduction. No one will ever know how widespread it's use was. This colour/scheme would be virtually indistinguishable from the usual greens in black and white photos. We could have been looking at the colour/scheme for years already without even knowing it existed. Theres evidence that the Ju88A-4 WNr.550396 B3+MH that landed by mistake in Switzerland had a good chance of being painted in this blue.

Merrick: The aircraft was painted water-blue (unknown hue) on its upper surfaces throughout, upon which a wave-type pattern (sand yellow Nr.79) had been sprayed. The lower surfaces bore black night camouflage.

Preferably we need a lump of aircraft painted this colour to be found.

[Skyraider3D]

There is no difference in grey shades at the top visible.

Although that in itself means little, I do actually notice some hints of a splinter pattern here and there.

Still... very interesting discovery though I'll wait a little before painting my Ju 88s blue. Now people are on the lookout, maybe more will be found.

And maybe one day we'll have those pink 109s I always predicted


PS. There are similar discussions with Japanese army aircraft, some (Ki-27, Ki-43, Ki-51, ...) reportedly painted blue but no solid evidence. Seeing as the US Navy predominantly had blue aircraft during WW2, I don't see why other air forces wouldn't.

PPS. Like Simon I also have the impression bomber models were 70/71, regardless if they were used for maritime operations. When Ju 88 C-6s began appearing in nightfighter camo, V/KG40 got "white" aircraft too (which weren't repainted), which seems like hardly the right camouflage over the Bay of Biscay!

[BLOWHARD]

There are similar discussions with Japanese army aircraft, some (Ki-27, Ki-43, Ki-51, ...) reportedly painted blue

I thought that went out with the 70s or 80s. I haven't seen that brought up in a long time...like mauve Rufes

I also have the impression bomber models were 70/71, regardless if they were used for maritime operations

All the other maritime planes were, including sea planes and flying boats. I still have doubts. Either it wasn't wide spread, or it was limited. Unless there are solid written paint orders that show this, conclusive color photos or relics, I still feel it's a little fantastic to rewrite what is mostly very solid verifiable evidence.
It's a neat idea and it's exiting but aside from hints here and there, I haven't seen anything I'd consider hard evidence aside from one historian's word for it.
I still remember clearly when the bright green stuff started showing up and how skeptical everyone was. But with the bright green, there was proof and documents, and I think relics that proved it.
As Skyraider says, time will tell.

[Skyraider3D]

Yes some people have tried very hard to discard the stories of blue JAAF aircraft, but they're persisting and I believe there were such aircraft:
Aviation of Japan ??????: Hasegawa's Hayabusa ~ Supplementary

Btw, when it comes to colours, combat reports can be good fun. I have one describing a Japanese aircraft as being painted in "shiny biscuit colour"!!! Another insists on a Zero (or was it an Oscar) with bright orange wings. We'll never know the full extend of WW2 camouflage colours, that's for sure!

[BLOWHARD]

I always liked seeing the blue planes I have a model aircraft book from the early 70s and it has a blue Ki 43 in it, really sharp looking.
Yep, combat reports can be fun! You should check out WW1 reports. The RFC guys git pretty creative
I'd still like to see a blue painted relic piece

[Maciej N]

This time I've started with part of fuselage. Here's prev of my work:
I've decided to only "cut" a wing. All the rest I left.