Whitley of No.10 OTU

[Fairlop]

Hi,

On May 1942, No.10 OTU was transferred from Bomber Command to Coastal Command. During that year it took part in anti-submarine patrols. Its Whitleys stayed painted in night camo for several months. Attached is one a/c from the summer. My question is concerned to the spinners. Were they painted black as well as the a/c or were red ?
Any comments would be most appreciated.

Regards,
Michal

[Ruy Horta]

Well since you wrote any reaction..

All the profiles in Warpaint Series No 21 Armstrong Whitley, by Ken Wixey, depict OTU 10 a/c with black spinners. Sorry, but is all I could find on the topic (which is very little I must admit).

Nice photo, thanks for posting it.

[Alex Smart]

hello,


Questions - Why do you think thery may have been red ?
Is it that you think they may have been in Flight in squadron colours ?
Or some other reason ?

interested

Alex

[Fairlop]

Ruy and Alex,

Thanks for your comments. Why a possibility the spinners were red ? Whitley is painted by dull Night black colour. It has a little bit different tint than „normal“ black on b/w photos. When I search the picture in detail the spinners´ colour look similar to colour of codes, s/n and centre of badge. So Dull Red / Insignia Red. However it can be (is) light delusion. A combination - red spinner for black (Night) fuselage was used. Look on difference bewteen black blades and the black ?? spinners also. I´am not No.10 OTU expert so the question if red spinner could be Flight colour interests me also.

Michal

[Ruy Horta]

Not sure, the spinner doesn't look much different compared to the underside of the port engine, which at least in part is set in a similar angle to the sun.

[Alex Smart]

Hi Ruy,

I was going to say - "Take a look at the other photos of this a/c on the LEMB pages" - but sadly they are no longer there.

Luckily I have them saved in my files so will send them to you Ruy.

They could be as you say in the same colour as the codes , I don't know.

Alex

[Ruy Horta]

Originally Posted by Alex Smart

Hi Ruy,
They could be as you say in the same colour as the codes , I don't know.

Sorry Alex if I was unclear, but I meant to write that the spinner looks the same as the underside of the port engine cowling - which is presumably black. Just riding the wave here, not my field.

Regards,