Caudron C.445 'Goeland' colours.

[GrahamB]

Kia ora,

having seen the excellent 'Avions' book on the Caudron C.445 and a few photographs scattered among my collection of Luftwaffe books, I am interested in chasing up a question about the camouflage used on those aircraft supplied to the Luftwaffe. About 600 aircraft were used by the Germans, most of which were built and supplied by the French Caudron company. The aircraft were finished ostensibly in three patterns: overall silver or aluminium (with dark anti-glare panel on nose), dark green/blue grey (said to represent RLM 71 or RLM 70 over RLM 65) or 'sand' over blue grey (said to be RLM 79 over RLM 78). In the field, the last two schemes were modified for desert or south Mediterranean use by addition of yellowish-sand over the dark green (to create a reticulated/'mottled' effect) or a dark green 'arabesque' over the sand.

My question is "Were the paints used by the Caudron company RLM materials provided by Germany, French-made matches to RLM specifications, or existing French Air Force colours?". I think that this question can be applied to other 'German' aircraft manufactured by French companies during WW2.

Meanwhile, my Airmodel 1/72 vacform waits patiently. Why hasn't this attractive (and real) aircraft received more attention from kit manufacturers? Answer: they are too busy producing ludicrous Luftwaffe '46' stuff!

Cheers,

GrahamB