Colours used on JG54 109F aircraft at start of Barbarossa

[Franek Grabowski]

Kjetil

Certainly true when modellers speculates and questions specific schemes of their chosen subjects. But those who study the subject seriously (like Ullmann, Merrick, Wadman to name a few) certainly applies scientific methodology.

There are always some exceptions.

I wouldn't say most, but admittedly there have been many imaginative schemes proposed over the years. However, because of the scientific method now being applied the majority of these have now been dismissed. Sadly, they often live on in the minds of many modellers and enthusiasts through older books and magazines. Examples include "Graff's all-yellow Fw 190", Fw 190s with red cowls, etc.

I have combat reports mentioning both yellow Fw 190s and red nosed Fw 190 and I do not think anybody did any scientific research on them. That is the point. People laugh of Clostermann but believe anything else.

It is when we consider the application of these colours that the true imagination and creativity of the Luftwaffe painters becomes obvious. Even you Franek, must admit that the variation in application style is way beyond that prescribed or intended by the RLM!!!?

Well, could you tell us what RLM intended? Oh, I have just went through JG26 album and I saw no 'creativity'.

And Luftwaffe certainly had nose art and fuselage art almost as gaudy as that of the Americans. Just consider the Ju 52 with the fuselage snake marking (Luftwaffe im Focus # 4, p. 24-25) or the Stuka with its snake (Luftwaffe im Focus # 7, p. 24-27)! They are not imagined.

You are kidding, are not you? A few examples confirming the rule, that there was no nose art in the Luftwaffe, apart of exceptional gothic names under a windscreen.

One thing that fascinates me, is how you in many cases can actually recognize the unit to which a Luftwaffe aircraft (mainly fighters) belongs from its camouflage style alone, even when no unit insignia are visible! Try to do that with an RAF Spitfire (and please, this is not a bait to get a "Luftwaffe is so much better" discussion going, just a factual observation)!!

Here you are, Malta Spitfires! Actually, painting style identifies the painter and not the user. It is possible to identify Spitfire manufacturers by the scheme or markings applied. There are always exceptions, like eg. 56 FG, but they are not the rule.

As an example of such unit specific camouflage, consider this heavily repainted Bf 109F-4/trop from the 10xxx block delivered to the Luftwaffe (specifically 6./JG 5) some time in 1942:

I am not sure if colours are correct.