Azure blue

[alex crawford]

Hi,

Can someone tell me when Azure Blue was introduced in the Mid East?

Alex

[brewerjerry]

Hi Alex,
From fighting colours by bowyer, Pg96, fighters in the desert.

' the middle east (i.e. desert) camouflage was approved on august 22, 1941.......
....... undersides being sprayed azure blue.'

cheers
jerry

[alex crawford]

Hi Jerry,

Cheers. All my books/files are packed away ready for a house move.

Alex

[Graham Boak]

Azure Blue was allocated an official RAF stores number in December 1940. This followed the use of a similar colour created in the Middle East for local use, as supplied to the UK authorities on 21 November 1940 with a request for its official adoption.

So the actual use of Azure Blue (or a close match) considerably predated the issue of the Air Ministry Order officially approving its use, which (IIRC) was in August 1941. Apparently Sky Blue was also used around this time, although the wartime colour appears to be too pale and the prewar colour of the same name looks much more likely (if rather odd!). The MUs in the Nile Delta also used the darker colour Mediterranean Light Blue for undersides. The AMO in 1941 should be seen as regularising these practices rather than introducing them, as more normal in the UK.

I refer you to Issue 3 of Scale Aircraft Modelling, where Ian Huntley discusses early Middle East colours, and the recent On Target Special No.2, Britain Alone, where Paul Lucas has three chapters on the subject.

[brewerjerry]

Hi,
I agree, azure blue was around in 1940, (according to C&M Sam No:2), named on or about 4th december, by the RAE,
often wonder why name a colour in dec 40 and then wait nine months to introduce it.
always an interesting subject C&M.
I often think it would be nice to own one of the wartime AID colour card booklets, or at least have access to one.
cheers
Jerry

[alex crawford]

Hi,

Thansk for the reposnses guys.

Jerry,

What is the AID colour card booklet?

I am having a discussion about the colour of the top decking of the Bristol Bulldogs with my publisher. We are trying to determine the correct shade for the Dark Green and NIVO.

Would this booklet have the answer?

Alex