Winter Camouflage of 5./KG 30 Junkers Ju 88 1941-42?

[Tim O.]

Hi all

I have read that factory-applied winter camouflage was occasionally used by the Germans on their aircraft but I think most images we see show locally applied whitewash over standard camouflage. I think the attached image is relatively uncommon in that this seems to me to clearly be factory applied winter camouflage on this Junkers Ju 88. The damage inflicted by the Flak burst reveals no hint of green paint at all.

I assume this is probably north Norway 1941-42. Does that make sense?

[edNorth]

I think the contrary. Some were painted in near perfect white overall, others had the socalle "whitewash" (thinned out white paint) or were cludely painted white. Generally I think this could be anywhere in North, East or North-East Europe.

Here is detailed base list of all KG 30 Gruppen.
http://www.ww2.dk/air/kampf/kg30.htm

-Ed

[Tim O.]

Hi Ed

Looking at the swastika, it appeared to me that it had been applied over the paint rather than the paint being applied around it. I could of course be wrong.

As this image is part of a large document grouping to one of the airman in the photograph, I know this crew was based in Banak in 1942 they are from 5./KG 30 and took part in the invasion of Norway, attacks on shipping off Norway and Battle of Narvik. They were based in the north until transfer to Comiso on Sicily in late 1942.

[edNorth]

See, Black outline to Swasticka is not constant width, it was such from factory. Says me, it was taped over when applying White camo paint. I do know of Factory applied Sand/Blue (Desert) Camo, but no concrete evedence of factory (pre-assembly) Winter Camo ones.
-Ed

[Chris Goss]

Surely the factory wouldn't know where each ac would end up therefore default is standard camo?

[Tim O.]

It looks like a very professional finish but maybe this standard could be applied at the Staffel level.

[edNorth]

I know aircaft for MTO was repainted in depot in Munchen (1943), but I do think winter finish was applied at workshops further south, in South-Norway or Finland?

[Tim O.]

Thanks for the replies gentlemen.