Purpose of coloured, slanted lines on a seaplane

[Dénes Bernád]

I am wondering about the purpose of the coloured, slanted lines on a seaplane, as depicted in the enclosed photo (fom eBay).

I've seen similar lines painted on the Hs 126, but here we are talking about a heavy, multi-engine seaplane.

[Adam]

Hi Denes

They were much similar to the lines on dive bombers except were used in photography.

When the pilot/observer took recon pictures it was necessary to record at which angle they were taken for later analysis (ie, shadow length regulating building height, camo netting etc). Hence the lines below the cockpit were used to regulate the angles of the photography.

No doubt there will be more succinct answers to follow but in the mean time, hope this helps

regards

Adam

P.S. Can you post the link for that eBay auction please?

[Sergio Luis dos Santos]

I agree with Adam. The BV 138 was not a dive bomber and it would be senseless to have lines for bombing angle outside the plane!
Those lines must be on the same colors as the ones on the Hs 126. I guess there were a padronization, each color for each angle.

[Don Pearson]

Agree with all, only adding that one could triangulate and estimate distance of a target as well, based on the aircraft's altitude and the angle to the target.

Don

[gogh]

Strange? The must have taken there heads out for a picture in front of the plane ?

[Adam]

The technical and engineering logistics needed to mount a camera externally (exposed to so many continuous hours exposure to the open elements) or in the hull of a flying boat would have been pretty emmense...much easier to impose on the poor observer

I don't even remember seeing them on He 115s though

[Sergio Luis dos Santos]

I don't even remember seeing them on He 115s though.

Adam, the Do 24, BV 139 and other similar planes use their fuselages as main float. Others like He 115, Ju 52, BV 138 land on their floats so the camera device may be placed under de fuselage. Sorry do not remember correct English word to diferentiate both designs. In Portuguese we say Avião Anfíbio e Hidro Avião. Guess may be Amphibian Plane and Hidroplane?

[Kutscha]

Sergio, amphibian a/c have wheels that can be lowered for movement on land like this PBY, http://www.warbirds-eaa.org/images/pby_lg.jpg .

[Sergio Luis dos Santos]

Originally Posted by Kutscha

Sergio, amphibian a/c have wheels that can be lowered for movement on land like this PBY, http://www.warbirds-eaa.org/images/pby_lg.jpg .

That´s correct, but how you call the earlier ones without the wheels? First PBY models had no wheels. Now I remember in Brasil we call Aerobote or Flying Boat.

[Kutscha]

Yes flying boat.