[pstrany]

Bombs destined for the Mediterranean theater were originally painted either silver or light blue. The reason generally cited was to keep the bombs from "cooking" in the hot tropical sun.

Of course, not all bombs that made it to North Africa and environs were so painted. Some smaller bombs (e.g. SC50 or SC250) did arrive in beige gray or dark gray. I've also seen pictures of bombs on transit (usually on ships) that had their upper surfaces painted in a darker color, which I interpret as an effort on the part of the ships' crew to "tone down" bombs that were carried as deck cargo.

Hope that helps.


Paul