Colors of Luftwaffe Bombs

[JägerMarty]

Originally Posted by Clint Mitchell

The bombs in the last photo posted look to have the undersides blacked out. Same as with the undersides of the bombers during the blitz. Not a good idea to have a nice night camouflaged bomber with bright RLM65 bombs underneath to attract the search beams.

Here is a good link containing Luftwaffe bomb specs and colours: http://www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/LRG/bombs.html

I agree with Ed in that the ordnance would have been repainted in field as and when required for their specific use. Specific bombs presumably would have specific overall colours depending on whether they were carried internally or externally. For example a bomb with fittings for vertical suspension inside a He111 would not be required to be painted RLM65 (sky colour) so would probably leave the factory in a dark green (RLM70 or RLM71?). Whereas a bomb with fittings for external horizontal suspension would likely leave the factory RLM65. There appear to be no strict rules as I've seen photos of light blue and dark green used externally. The only thing that would need to be strictly adhered to are the markings for identification which would be for the specific type of bomb. These markings also vary greatly from stripes, rings, to the whole rear cone area being painted in the bomb type identity colour.

So the conclusion is unless you have a photo showing your specific Fw190 carrying a specific coloured bomb then you could take your pick.

Reviving an old thread, would bombs have been repainted in north Africa?
I've got a Stuka project on table with SC and SC50 ordinance to fit