Fieseler Fi-156 Storch

[Jagdkommando]

Hi members,

Can somebody tell me the colors of the interior of a real Fi-156 ??
Pherhaps someone have the RLM codes too ??

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Warmest regards,

Jagdkommando

[obdl3945]

Jagdkommando...

Speaking in general terms, up to 1938 most cockpit interiors would have been finished in RLM Grau 02, with the instrument panel painted in RLM Schwarzgrau 66, in order to prevent dazzle (L.Dv 521/1, 1938). In 1941, instructions were given to paint the cockpit and canopy frames in RLM Schwarzgrau 66 also (L.Dv 521/1, 1941).

With the war stretching out longer than the Germans expected, restrictions on materials required that simplifications be made to the painting process, and by the time Arnim Faber presented the RAF with his example of the new Focke-Wulf Fw190A-3 on 23 June, 1942, the interior of that machine was almost entirely finished in RLM Schwarzgrau 66.

I imagine, therefore, that the same processes would generally apply all Luftwaffe machines, including the Fieseler Storch, and that it would be dependent on when exactly the machine you have in mind was built - the Fi156A-0 pre-production and A-1 versions began to be delivered from the Spring of 1937, the 'B' sub-type was never followed through, being largely intended for civilian use, and the first examples of the main 'C' sub-type started coming off the production line in 1939. In theory, even a pre-1938 built Storch could still be sporting the RLM Grau 02/Schwarzgrau 66 combination of internal colours well into the early war years if it managed to survive that long, whereas later built machines would likely have had the overall RLM Schwarzgrau 66 finish.

Luftwaffe Colours 1935-1945 by Michael Ullman (Hikoki publications, ISBN 190210934-1) will provide you with the above information in far more detail, and the various changes that occurred during the war, if you're interested in checking further... good photos, too.

Regards...

[Jagdkommando]

Thank u so much for your reply m8!!
This book must be bought....

[ChrisS]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LUFTWAFFE-COLO...QQcmdZViewItem

This is a VERY cheap price (at the moment ).

Good hunting!

Chris

[Jagdkommando]

Hi Chris,

Yes, sure is, and I think the book is rather hard to find or ??

[Modeldad]

While a good book, it does stick to dates and orders rather than specific aircraft. Just because an order or directive said so, did not mean it actually happened at that time.

The big date for the use of Farbton 66 in pits is November 1941 (L.Dv 521/1) not the 1942 date, and it had to do with reflection, not shortages. But my understanding is that Fw 190s were in 66 from nearly the beginning. It seems the Do 17Z went to a dark cockpit before that date also. The 109 went through a transition where some E models had 66 pits while F may have had 02. Often depended on the manufacturer. One could make a presumption that the amount of glass overhead influenced the decision to apply the darker color to reduce glare.

Without the specifics on a given aircraft, as good as the book is, it is still a guess.

[ChrisS]

Rarer than hens teeth.
It's been out of print for a couple of years I think.
It is worth having for any serious Luftwaffe aficionado
Chris

[obdl3945]

Jagdkommando...

You're welcome... I must add, though, that I am in agreement with the other comments here from Modeldad, in that just about everything to do with the Luftwaffe had a regulation governing it, but oftentimes variations occurred, so although I was referring to the book whilst answering your original request, I take on board that changes happened at different times and dates, irrespective of regulations and particular aircraft type.

Regards...