RAF Fighter Camouflage Change

[Jim Oxley]

Fantastic link Franek, thanks for posting it. Fascinating article by Grzegorz Cieliszak.

"The reason for the decision to develop a new paint scheme was the observation that the Temperate Land Scheme used on British fighters worked effectively at low altitudes and against the backdrop of the ground, but was far too dark above 10,000 feet. At the same time, it was noted that the grey-painted Bf 109s were more difficult to spot at higher altitudes and when flying over the sea."


Answers my questions beautifully.

A second question if I may.

Are there any records existing of the Luftwaffe's view as to the effectiveness of the British Day Fighter Scheme?

And, given that the British recognised that a brown/green camouflage was ineffective at altitude, why on earth did the USAAF in 1942/3 paint all their aircraft (fighters and bombers) a drab olive green? Didn't they feed off RAF experience?