Hs 123 camouflage diagram

[Modeldad]

Originally Posted by Dénes Bernád

I have a "soft spot" for the Hs 123, and I managed to collect a couple of hundred of original photos of this sturdy biplane.

I just checked them, and found none that clearly shows the "classic" two-tone RLM 70/71 camouflage scheme.

On a very few photos one may see a demarkation line on the upper paint job, but I believe those are the early four-colour camo overpainted in large areas by a new coat of dark paint, possibly green.

Therefore, I am also still waiting for the ultimate proof for the RLM 70/71 camouflage scheme being worn by any Hs 123.

Agreed. I believe much confusion has been caused by the shadow cast by the upper wing. Of course the shadow appears darker on the fuselage.

I too would like to see substantial evidence.

[Modeldad]

Originally Posted by Graham Boak

Steve, you need to be more open-minded, with an eye to experience. There have been many photos of "monochrome" Luftwaffe aircraft that later turned out to be nothing of the kind. Hs129s, Ju87s, Bf109s....

The available photos of Hs123s are generally of fairly poor definition, the kind that lead to just this mistake. It is fair to point out that, after some time in service, 71 faded to provide much more contrast with 70 than when new, and it would be reasonable to expect some Hs123 photos to show this. To that extent, it is understandable that many people believe the aircraft was unique in having a single green uppercoat as standard, particularly in the lack of a 70/71 pattern for the type. This is not the same thing as proven, which I think most people realise.

You paint with far too broad a brush. As Denes note, not much evidence, if any at all.

[Graham Boak]

I'm not the one claiming evidence. I've no private (or otherwise) stock of photos of the type. I'm just pointing out that this suggestion has been proven wrong in the past, almost without exception. Such exceptions have been a limited number of aircraft, in particular circumstances, rather than the entire service stock of the type. If the Hs123 fleet was repainted in this monochrome style it would be unique in Luftwaffe history, something which might be thought to require at least a little explanation rather than just being nodded through?

[Pilot]

All right. The image I used for this profile is definitely show very dark color on top side but the overall quality is moderate. So I was really wonder did this plane have blend colors 70 and 71 on image. Well, from this discussion is obviously that single color is used on Hs 123 in later service and proof for the two colors still have to be found. I have adopt previous profile, which is made for the testing.



Now I am really wonder why in many publications are published two tones Hs 123?

Thank you all

[piero]

Originally Posted by Graham Boak

I'm not the one claiming evidence. I've no private (or otherwise) stock of photos of the type. I'm just pointing out that this suggestion has been proven wrong in the past, almost without exception. Such exceptions have been a limited number of aircraft, in particular circumstances, rather than the entire service stock of the type. If the Hs123 fleet was repainted in this monochrome style it would be unique in Luftwaffe history, something which might be thought to require at least a little explanation rather than just being nodded through?

Hi,
not unique, I think to the Go145's and Ar66's from Störkampfstaffeln and later Nachtschlachtgruppen, almost all in 70 or 71

HTH

piero

[Modeldad]

Originally Posted by piero

Hi,
not unique, I think to the Go145's and Ar66's from Störkampfstaffeln and later Nachtschlachtgruppen, almost all in 70 or 71

HTH

piero

Also the Ju52 which was discussed here. A single dark color top and bottom.

Then there are the all light blue Do 217 and 17 (appears monochrome).

[Modeldad]

Originally Posted by Pilot

All right. The image I used for this profile is definitely show very dark color on top side but the overall quality is moderate. So I was really wonder did this plane have blend colors 70 and 71 on image. Well, from this discussion is obviously that single color is used on Hs 123 in later service and proof for the two colors still have to be found. I have adopt previous profile, which is made for the testing.



Now I am really wonder why in many publications are published two tones Hs 123?

Thank you all

Cannot find that one at the moment, but here is one similar:

[Pilot]

I know this image, I think it is from E-bay. Good one

[ChrisS]

Please compare these two of the same unit: top one in 70/71 and the lower in the earlier three colour upper scheme. Note that the demarcation lines on both are different, so that on the top machine, there is no paint-over on an earlier scheme with a single colour as only two colours are evident, and one can see that there is no bleed-through of the older colours boundaries. Therefore the boundaries on the upper machine indicate only two, not three, colours.

Chris

[Modeldad]

Originally Posted by ChrisS

Please compare these two of the same unit: top one in 70/71 and the lower in the earlier three colour upper scheme. Note that the demarcation lines on both are different, so that on the top machine, there is no paint-over on an earlier scheme with a single colour as only two colours are evident, and one can see that there is no bleed-through of the older colours boundaries. Therefore the boundaries on the upper machine indicate only two, not three, colours.

Chris

Two colors are not clearly evident. Unless you consider the shadow a second, and darker color. At that close any demarcation along the cowl, etc would be clear, as would a demarcation on the spat.