Reply With QuoteThanks x4btr, I'll give this a good read.
Member
Greetings All,
I thought I would try to write a brief post here about the BASICS of VVS colouration and markings practices during the War years. By no means is this intended to be comprehensive! Just some food for thought, and general guidelines for VVS skinning.
Aviation Lacquers
The Soviets used a very substantial number of paints during the War, and pre-War, years. This is similar to the behaviour of other nations, and should come really as no surprise. The aviation lacquer system in use at the outbreak of War was the "AII" (as in A-roman-numeral-2) variety. These are notable for being rather quite bright; most Western observers think that they are 'gaudy' looking. Some earlier finishes of the "A", "AEh", and "AE" systems also remained, but they were not common.
At the start of 1942 some limited use was made of a new type of lacquer called "AMT". It took a while for these new paints to come into wide-spread use, and they were not common until the summer/autumn of 1942. Even so, AII was still used quite widely at many aero factories, especially on bombers, until after the War. For many reasons, AMT paint was used much more on fighter aviation than on larger aircraft, like bombers, transports, recce, etc. The first AMT paints were simply replacements for the same AII shades (i.e. green, black, blue, etc), even using the same pigments. Later, in 1944, new AMT colours came into use and supplanted the original AMT colours.
During 1944-45 a limited amount of a new lacquer system called "A-m" was seen. This system was intended for all-metal aircraft, and was only used on such machines (like the Pe-2 and Tu-2, for example). These colours are notable for being quite dark, indeed, and were not overly common during the War.
Fighter Camouflage
The VVS was at the forefront of much thinking in aviation camouflage, from well back into the 1920s. In the pre-War era the there were many advanced ideas, such as "sky" camouflage and "ground" camouflage. In other words, many fighters wore colouration seen to be inconspicuous in the air, such as Aluminum and grey lacquers, while bombers and such like wore colours suitable for operation near the ground. This kind of dichotomy in thinking stayed with the VVS through the War, and actually does still to this day.
The most common colouration for fighters at the outbreak of the War in the VVS was a two-colour disruptive pattern of black over green, and blue undersurfaces. A dark green paint was also used in lieu of black, but the former was more common. This combination remained the same with the introduction of AMT lacquers, except that the AMT system had no Dark Green colour (leaving only Black). This is precisely how fighter camouflage remained until the end of 1943, even if the patterns and style of application changed quite a bit.
At the start of 1944 a new system of AMT paints was introduced for fighters. The new upper surface colours were a Grey and Dark Grey (AMT-11/-12), but the old blue colour was retained (AMT-7). Almost without exception, these new colours replaced the old ones on all VVS fighters after this date. Furthermore, many units in the field began to apply this colouration onto surviving fighters which had been finished originally with other colours/lacquers.
There were no three-colour camouflage schemes applied to VVS fighters at the factory. In fact, even in the field these were exceptionally rare, with no more than 2-3 examples known from some 20,000 photographs. There was no "brown" (RAF-like) Soviet aviation paint, and it nothing like it was ever used on any fighter. All of the myriad profiles made for years, and existing all over the world, showing this kind of colouration are completely in error.
In the pre-War era there were some aircraft manufactured with a single-colour upper surface (green). There were more than green colour, as there were different lacquers, but this idea is a bit apocryphal. This kind of finish was not considered to be camouflage by the VVS, only a military finish suitable for covering the airframe (during peacetime camouflage was not seen to be required). When, in 1940, the government instructed that all aircraft would be camouflaged, most of these examples were modified with applique, many using the ubiquitous AII Black paint. Some numbers of I-16s did carry on in this outdated way, and so did some MiG fighters. However, in the main, this was no longer seen; aircraft like the La-5 or Yak fighters obviously never
appeared like this.
Bomber Camouflage
VVS camouflage for bombers, and such like, was by far more complicated and varied than for fighter aircraft. Even before the War there were 3-colour bomber schemes, and these made use of paint types seen to be especially suitable for bomber work. Unlike fighters, many bombers made use of the older AII lacquers for the entire War period.
The Il-2 started the War wearing a two-colour disruptive scheme of Black/Green, like with fighter aircraft. During 1942 it even received some Dark Green/Green applications, as well. AMT was not employed on the early Il-2 programme. During late 1942, examples of the Il-2 two-seater began to appear wearing a two-colour scheme with AII Brown replacing AII Black. This paint, AII Brown, was known before the War, but was not common until it began to be used on the Il-2. The name "Brown" is also highly misleading-- the factories who made aircraft called the paint "red", which seems more appropriate than "brown". The Il-2 programme turned to AII Brown with very great enthusiasm, and from spring 1943 this became the standard AII finish for all Il-2s.
During 1943 the government (NKAP) decided to offer some advice on camouflage. Once such recommendation was for a three-colour camouflage for use on bombers using the new AMT type paints. On the Il-2 this application was used sparingly from late 1943, featuring AMT-12/-1/-4 over AMT-7. This scheme was never as popular as the AII application, and remained in the minority until the end of the Il-2 manufacture.
Other three-colour applications on the Il-2 are known. Many field-applied schemes of this type were completed, and there were examples of AII Black/Brown/Green at at least two of the factories involved. Factory 18 made a series of Southern Front camouflage Il-2s, these in AII Black/Brown/Light Brown. These were, of course, specific and unusual examples, and not the norm.
The DB-3/Il-4, being a pre-War design, started off mainly with natural metal finishes. These quickly were replaced by AII schemes of Black/Green/Blue, and sometimes early three-colour jobs (Black/Brown/Green/Blue). The SB
was another pre-War aircraft, and early examples featured either NM finish or a light grey called AEh-9. Sometimes one might see a non-camouflaged Green/Blue example, as well. By 1941 most of these aircraft were wearing two-colour Green/Black camouflage, or various forms of filed applied applique. Many TB-3s wore a non-camouflage (Green/Blue) finish pre-War, and also obtained Black/Green/Blue finishes by 1941.
The colouration history of the Pe-2 is fascinating and complex. Early examples wore AII Green/Black/Blue. During late 1942 many machines started to use AII Dark Green instead of Black, and the Pe-2 programme-- for reasons unknown-- virtually monopolized the remaining stocks of this paint and used it in manufacture until 1946. From late 1943 examples were seen wearing the NKAP 3-colour scheme (AMT-12/-1/-4), and during 1944-45 even some in the new A-m all-metal lacquers (A-32m/A-21m/A-24m). Some three-colour AII paint versions were also seen, these in AII Green/Brown/Light Brown.
Colour chips for the various VVS paints are found on this site. We keep an updated list also at our web site:
Modeling the VVS: Digital Color Chips
[BREAK=Page 2]
National Markings
The national insignia of the VVS changed over the years, perhaps to an unusual degree. The Plain Red star was seen from the early 1920s, and was somewhat standard at the outbreak of the War. During 1941-42 is was a bit of a fad at some factories to apply a think black outline to this marking (the Black Border Star), but units in the field did likewise, and also used white colour in the same way. This practice gave way to a general convention during 1942-43 that national markings should have a white outline (White Border Star), the thickness of which seemingly increasing with each passing year. Variations were legion, of course, no one appearing to apply them in
quite the same way.
The White Border Star, with a medium-to-thick border, became a defacto standard until 1945. Just after the War, the VVS Command issued a regulation that a new star would be the correct insignia, this a medium border White Border Star with an additional thin red outline. This marking, the so-called Victory Star (issued right after the VE), was actually again taken from the work of field units, and examples like this can be seen as early as late 1943, or so. By 1944 many units thought that this was certainly the preferred marking, and during that year it because as common on service aircraft as the White Border type.
Artistic permutations to these standard markings are almost numberless. A common variety saw a 3D artwork in the star area, this known as the Kremlin Star type. A very few examples of star borders may have been painted in yellow, but these are uncommon. Other colours for borders have been suggested (silver, blue, etc) but there is no currently evidence whatever to substantiate such ideas.
The VVS applied national insignia in a manner dissimilar to other countries. Even dating back to the 1920s, many VVS theorists believed that having a large red marking on the wing upper surface was a violation of camouflage and spotting practices. It was quite common-- indeed just about 50/50-- during the pre-War years to see military aircraft with no national star on the upper wing surfaces (civil aircraft usually did, however). During 1940, when the government insisted on camouflage for all aircraft, these were specifically mentioned as inappropriate. However, as everywhere, pre-War practices died hard, and some aircraft (notably, for example, the I-16 and MiG-3, often the recipient of pre-War painting) did carry them in 1940-41. By 1942, however, one would absolutely never see such, and in the main they were never seen on most GPW aircraft.
[NB. a good guide here for skinners-- unless the photograph of your subject shows them clearly, do not apply any stars to the wing uppers]
Curiously, during 1944 there was something of a mini-comeback of this kind of marking on Lend-Lease machines. The Americans were in the habit of applying stars, even VVS ones for L-L contracts, on the wing uppers. Mainly these were painted out with some kind of green paint, but in some unusual cases they were retained, and even more curiously sometimes made symmetrical with a starboard marking. It is rare, but not impossible, to see such an arrangement on some P-39s, and a few B-25s. Again, however, let me stress that these are exceptional-- leave these upper stars off unless you see them in the photo.
Soviet national insignia were usually applied in four-six positions on the machine. The wing undersurface was standard, and one always sees them here (well out towards the wingtip, like the RAF, not inboard as with German markings). Stars were then applied either to the fuselage sides, or the fin/rudder, or both. The practice was a bit random, especially early in the War, and examples of both are common. The sizes of these various markings
were quite random, as well.
Tactical Numbers
Soviet aircraft have always used a number on the side of the machine to identify the airplane. During the GPW era these numbers were exceptionally unique in design, font, placement, and execution.
There are, for example, recognizable fonts in the photographic record. However, these are known to have been employed only at specific factories, and then only for strictly limited time periods, and then not again. Such things as a 'standard' font are virtually unknown, except for the case of Factory 21 (Gor'ki) on the La-5/-7 programme during 1944-45. One could make a catalog, I suppose, of similar styles of font common to Russian use, but the fact is that the numbers on VVS aircraft are frustratingly unique and a pain to draw correctly. That said, I must also caution that one sees a lot of very inappropriate fonts on IL2 VVS skins. The default game markings are horrendous, for example. My advice is to study a photograph of a period subject and base any font style you use on the appearance of such an authentic number.
Many tactical numbers were applied at the factory. These were usually completed in white. There were also cases when red and black were used for the same purposes, and even yellow. There are examples of quite unusual field-applied colours, in addition.
Right...! Those are the basics, and perhaps I have left out something? I will stop here, pause for breath, and leave some space for questions. I am sure there will be some; please feel free to bring them forward.
Last edited by Serval; 8th October 2006 at 21:04.
Senior Member
Thanks x4btr, I'll give this a good read.
Junior Member
Thanks for the explanation, very interesting. This kind of threads make the diference with other sites.
Waiting for more...
Junior Member
If I could be so bold to ask if you have any information on Soviet train markings. I have been modeling a Soviet Armor Train in Rhino3D, and image in provided below. I am trying to improve the coloring of the camo texture used on the train, but I have not been able to find much information on this. I would appreciate any guidance you could provide.
Regards
Vince
Junior Member
For written support (or possible evidence) from a WW2 soviet fighter pilot for the green and dark green camouflage (vs the standard Soviet green AMT-4 and black AMT-6):Originally Posted by x4btr
Fighter Camouflage
The most common colouration for fighters at the outbreak of the War in the VVS was a two-colour disruptive pattern of black over green, and blue undersurfaces. A dark green paint was also used in lieu of black, but the former was more common. (Bold done by me-RThis combination remained the same with the introduction of AMT lacquers, except that the AMT system had no Dark Green colour (leaving only Black). This is precisely how fighter camouflage remained until the end of 1943, even if the patterns and style of application changed quite a bit.
General Vladimir Mikhailovich Mukhmediarov is interviewed on a site supported by the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and Niagara Aerospace Museum (so it says):
"Germans had Gray-Dark gray camouflage by the end of war?
'Yes, we had Green-Dark green. Camouflage was needed to hide against earth. If you look upwards you will see airplane in any camouflage. It does not help…'"
Interview with Vladimir Mukhmediarov
Of course, none of this is confirmed until it is published in journals and confirmed over time in my opinion.
Junior Member
For written support (or possible evidence) from a WW2 soviet fighter pilot for the green and dark green camouflage (vs the standard Soviet green AMT-4 and black AMT-6):
General Vladimir Mikhailovich Mukhmediarov is interviewed on a site supported by the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and Niagara Aerospace Museum (so it says):
"Germans had Gray-Dark gray camouflage by the end of war?
'Yes, we had Green-Dark green. Camouflage was needed to hide against earth. If you look upwards you will see airplane in any camouflage. It does not help…'"
Interview with Vladimir Mukhmediarov
....http://lend-lease.airforce.ru/englis...arov/index.htm.....
Of course, none of this is confirmed, in my opinion, until it is published in journals and confirmed after review.
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