15th Air Force Camouflage

[SCohen]

I am interested in the camouflage of bombers in the Mediterranean.

By spring 1944, had 15th Air Force B-24s universally switched to olive drab from earlier pink/sand color schemes? Is there anywhere i can find in depth discussion of usaaf camouflage? I currently have the osprey “B-24 liberator units of the fifteenth Air Force,” which seems to indicate the aircraft were olive drab by the time the 15th was formed.

Thanks!

[Graham Boak]

If any of the earlier aircraft had survived in front-line service that long, then they would still have been in the original camouflage. I suspect however that few of them would have lasted that long, either being lost or withdrawn.

There are a number of works on USAAF camouflage, some however rather elderly now and probably not available. However as an overall guide Archer's work for Schiffer should still be available. Ken Rust did a history of the 15th for Aero Publishers (his work on the 9th is also relevant here), and there was a Kookaburra book that dealt with the 12th and 15th AFs.

[edwest2]

This book may be helpful.


https://www.amazon.com/12th-15th-For...=books&sr=1-29


Best,
Ed

[Buckeye30]

"CHUG-A-LUG" 41-11766 "V" ( 98BG) was one that lasted into the Fifteenth in original Sand / Neutral Gray finish; she was photographed at Manduria Italy in Dec. 1943 a few weeks after the 15th was formed.
There are other Sand ones from both Groups with post-Sept. 1943 insignia ( ie. blue bars added) which could well be Fifteenth.
2 others were 42-73076 / "D" ( 98BG) in Feb. 1944 and 41-11779 "41" (376BG) in Dec. 1943 both in Italy with the Fifteenth.
The original order for 98BG ( 27 May 1942) specified Sand 26 enamel , same colour as the pre-war one; to be painted over the existing Olive Drab with Neutral Gray remaining below. This only referred to N. Africa assignments , new deliveries to the Fifteenth AF in Italy to be Olive Drab 41. There were a few Olive Drab - Neutral Gray D-models on the Ploesti mission like 41-24294 / 36 Brewery Wagon ( 376BG).
Nick

[edwest2]

Another book that may be useful.


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/07...api_taft_p1_i4