RLM 81/82 – More secrets unveiled

[Cpt_Farrel]

Agreed that it sounds very unusual but could it be a strong black pigment that remained stable while the green elements were faded?

70 and 71 seems to have been rushed into production as early versions didn't spray very well and wouldn't adhere when mottled or misted onto aircraft.

/Anders

[RolandF]

I personally had the opportunity of examining a contemporary RLM 70/71 camouflage from 1940/41 (Ju 88A and Hs 126 from DTM Berlin). I got the impression that any yellow portions of those paints had vanished from the surface, giving it a more blackish or greyish appearance.This may work well over conifer-covered areas but over a landscape with mixed woodlands and huge portions of fields and meadows this combination certainly would be too dark.
Otherwise it wouldn´t have to be necessary for JG 54 to test and switch to different coulour sytems when entering the Eastern war scenario

Regards

Roland

[Dénes Bernád]

A document issued by Messerschmitt Augsburg on 29 July 1944 lists RLM 81 (olive brown) and RLM 82 (light green) as replacement for RLM 74 and RLM 75 on fighter, reconnaissance and ground attack aircraft. An official Hungarian translation will be included in my upcoming book on Hungarian fighter colours.

[Modeldad]

Originally Posted by Dénes Bernád

A document issued by Messerschmitt Augsburg on 29 July 1944 lists RLM 81 (olive brown) and RLM 82 (light green) as replacement for RLM 75 and RLM 76 on fighter, reconnaissance and ground attack aircraft. An official Hungarian translation will be included in my upcoming book on Hungarian fighter colours.

Is that a typo? Would it not be 74/75 rather than 75 and 76, as 76 was a light blue underside color.

But it still raises the question of why the switch from the "grays/greys" of air superiority aircraft, to the Browns and Greens of ground concealment.

[Oberst]

Originally Posted by Modeldad

But it still raises the question of why the switch from the "grays/greys" of air superiority aircraft, to the Browns and Greens of ground concealment.

Generally, Grey's were offensive colours, brown/greens are defensive colours. IE: Grey blend in with the sky, green/browns hide the aircraft on the ground, especially in mid 1944 and up when the skies are filled with allied aircraft. Mind you not all a/c got the brown/green camouflage, even up to the end of the war.

[Modeldad]

Originally Posted by Oberst

Generally, Grey's were offensive colours, brown/greens are defensive colours. IE: Grey blend in with the sky, green/browns hide the aircraft on the ground, especially in mid 1944 and up when the skies are filled with allied aircraft. Mind you not all a/c got the brown/green camouflage, even up to the end of the war.

I do know that, but how many fighter aircraft ultimately wore 81/82. It was often a mix of gray and green or two greens.

I was under the impression that 81/82 were to replace 70/71 as on the Do 335 and Me 262.

[Oberst]

I would guess FW 190's had the 81/82 scheme the most. But I assume an aircraft repaint would be done at a field repair depot, or at the airfield, once you get there its however the guy with the paint gun interpets the instructions on how to paint. PLUS they had to use up the previous colours first, according to the Docs I've read.

[Dénes Bernád]

Originally Posted by Modeldad

Is that a typo? Would it not be 74/75 rather than 75 and 76...

Yes, that was a typo. I corrected it. Thanks for pointing it out.

[Cpt_Farrel]

Originally Posted by Modeldad

I do know that, but how many fighter aircraft ultimately wore 81/82. It was often a mix of gray and green or two greens.

I was under the impression that 81/82 were to replace 70/71 as on the Do 335 and Me 262.

The order stated that all aircraft that previously would have been painted in 70/71 were to be painted in 81/82 so from the beginning it was a pure replacement of those colors. Later on a new order was given that all aircraft were to be painted in 81/82. If I recall correctly both these orders have been found in documents so it is not speculation.

Cheers / Anders

[Modeldad]

Originally Posted by Cpt_Farrel

The order stated that all aircraft that previously would have been painted in 70/71 were to be painted in 81/82 so from the beginning it was a pure replacement of those colors. Later on a new order was given that all aircraft were to be painted in 81/82. If I recall correctly both these orders have been found in documents so it is not speculation.

Cheers / Anders

I would love to see that actual reference. And if by chance it did exist, it would seem that it was not fully complied with.