Bf 109 E-4/7, Adolf Galland

[Ferreira]

Hi!

this a/c was painted in RLM 65/70/71? Or RLM 65/02/71?



Thank's a lot!

Franklin

from Brazil

[Kjetil Aakra]

Well, according to my sources this one received a special experimental grey finish. Cannot comment on exact hues as I have studied this aicraft in such detail.

Kjetil

[Franek Grabowski]

Well, what is the evidence it was anything other but a standard 71/02? Just curious.

[Kjetil Aakra]

As I said I am not sure what evidence is at hand as I am only relying on written sources, not primary documentation. Having said that the photos I have seen certainly do not give the impression of a 71/02 scheme.

Kjetil

[Franek Grabowski]

Well, on the photos I have seen the camouflage is definetely grey, no wonder as they are B&W.
Seriously, the few ones I have at hand, show that the film/filter combination used was completely not yellow sensitive and this may have resulted with weird 71/02 presentation on B&W film. Still, I would love to see any evidence for this and other 'experimental' schemes and I do not mean B&W photos.
Cheers

[Kjetil Aakra]

I know of only one colour photograph of W.Nr 5819 (Luftwaffe im Focus #4), but the shot is rather dark and colours hard to evaluate. They do not give the impression of being 71/02, though.

Kjetil

[Franek Grabowski]

Hmm, I have not seen the photo, so I have to trust you. Nonetheless colour pictures may be quite misleading as well.
Cheers

[Ferreira]

Hi, Franek & Kjetil,

Thank's for your answers!

The evidence then is that the a/c was painted in 65/02/71?

Cheers,
Franklin

[Artist]

As an aviation artist I have corresponded with many Luftwaffe pilots. When asked, many have stated that any aircraft they flew for long periods( a few months) may have been touched up and repainted at times, especially when markings changed. Many times the paints they used where from local sorces. If they where stationed at an old French field they would use paints left by the French. Same would go for Russian airfields. They would mix these paints to get the color they wanted. Their is a photo of Dr.Helmut Bennemann Painting his 109 with a paintbrush on the Russian front. God only knows what colors he used. Many historians and artists insist on using the RLM color codes to guess at the colors of the aircraft. I believe this is possible in the bigining and the battles above Germany at the end because the aircraft where stationed in Germany and the RLM colors where available. I do believe the undersurfaces and the upper wings stayed the origanal color in most cases. Just something to think about. Robert