[Cpt_Farrel]

I can't speak for Merrick but as I recall, his evidence for certain aircraft wearing old RLM colors seems pretty solid. I don't consider it proof that the JG54 greens were all based on RLM colors though.

I've had discussions with Claes Sundin about this and he has compared Russian paintsamples with greens found on JG54 aircraft and found matches as well.

I don't see why so many wants to find a single explanation for the JG54 greens as I bet there are several. Early in the eastern campaign it seems JG54 used RLM70 and 71, maybe they thought they were too dark so that the mixed their own from other RLM colors OR used Russian colors. If they did and thought it worked better, I bet that a request would have gone out for German manufactured colors in similar tones and shades perhaps resulting in the re-issue of early greens and browns?

I've got no proof what so ever, so I'm not saying it happened like that, I'm just saying that all these explanations that we see are possible, and shouldn't need to rule each other out.