MARKINGS

FROM THE GREAT WARPLANES OF WORLD

WAR I TO THE PRESENT

AN ILLUSTRATED HANDBOOK FOR AIRPLANE

ENTHUSIASTS AND MODELERS

Barry C. Wheeler
MILITARY
AIRCRAFT
MARKINGS
k;
 This edition is published by
Longmeadow Press
201 High Ridge Road
Stamford, CT 06904

ISBN 0 681 41461 8

Copyright© 1992 Reed International Books Limited

Color profiles copyright © 1992 Greenborough Associates
Color profiles for F/A-18 and MiG-29 copyright © 1992 Key Publishing
Photograph p. 3 copyright © 1992 McDonnell Douglas

p. 2 (above): Day fighter scheme on an inter-war RAF Siskin

p. 2 (below): US Navy F/A-18 Hornet over desert country
p. 3: McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II of 38th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, USAF
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098765432
 CONTENTS
Introduction 7 Consolidated PBY Catalina 47
Avro 504 10 Boulton Paul Defiant 48
S.E.5a 11 Junkers Ju 88 49
Sopwith Camel 12 Fiat CR.42 50
Albatross DV 13 Mitsubishi A6M Zero-Sen 51
Fokker Dr 1 14 Bristol Beaufighter 52
Bristol Bulldog 15 Grumman Avenger 53
Hawker Hart 16 Henschel Hs 129 54
Hawker Fury 17 Curtiss Hawk 55
Grumman G-5 18 Blohm und Voss Bv 138 56
Boeing P-26 19 Short Sunderland 57
Bristol Blenheim 1 20 Brewster Buffalo 58
Gloster Gauntlet 21 Douglas Dauntless 59
Douglas DC-3 22 Nakajima Ki-49 Donryu 60
Junkers Ju-52 23 Macchi M.C.205 61
Fairey Swordfish 24 Consolidated B-24 Liberator 62
Heinkel He III 25 North American B-25 Mitchell 63
Savoia-Marchetti S.M.79 26 Mitsubishi G4M ‘Betty’ 64
Curtiss Helldiver 27 Lockheed Ventura 65
Gloster Gladiator 28 Focke-Wulf Fw 190 66
Hawker Hurricane 29 Grumman Hellcat 67
Boeing B-17 30 De Havilland Mosquito 68
Dornier Do 17 31 Martin B-26 Marauder 69
Messerschmitt Bf 109 32-33 Bell P-39 Airacobra 70
34 Vought F4U Corsair 71
Fairey Battle
35 Petlyakov Pe-2 72
Junkers Ju 87
36 LaGG-3 73
Fieseler Fi 156 Storch
37 Lockheed P-38 Lightning 74
Bristol Blenheim IV
Armstrong Whitworth Whitley 38 North American P-51 Mustang 75
39 Avro Lancaster 76-77
Vought SB2U Vindicator
40 Ilyushin 11-2 78
Focke-Wulf Fw 200
41 North American Harvard 79
Morane-Saulnier M.S.406
42-43 Republic P-47 80-81
Supermarine Spitfire
44 Douglas A-26 Invader 82
Messerschmitt Bf 110
45 Blackburn Firebrand 83
Lockheed Hudson
46 Boeing B-29 SuperFortress 84
Douglas A-20 Boston
Lockheed Neptune 85 Aerospatiale Alouette III 122
Lockheed P-80 86 Blackburn Buccaneer 123
Hawker Fury 87 Northrop F-5 124-125
Armstrong Whitworth Meteor 88 Bell Iroquois 126
Douglas A1 Skyraider 89 North American A-5 Vigilante 127
De Havilland Vampire 90 Grumman A-6 Intruder 128
North American F-86 Sabre 91 SepecatJaguar 129
Convair B-36 92 M-B-B B0105 130
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 93 Vought A-7 Corsair II 131
Grumman Panther/Cougar 94 Sikorsky CH-53 132-133
Sikorsky S-55 95 Lockheed F-104 Starfighter 134
Boeing B-47 96 British Aerospace Strikemaster 135
Boeing B-52 97 General Dynamics F-lll 136
McDonnell Douglas A-4 98-99 North American/Rockwell OV-10 137
Republic F-84 100 Beech King Air 138
Hawker Hunter 101 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23/MiG-27 139
North American F-100 Super Sabre 102 FokkerF27 140
Grumman Tracker 103 Aerospatiale/Westland Puma 141
Lockheed C-130 Hercules 104 Boeing CH-47 Chinook 142
Republic F-105 105 Sukhoi Su-7 143
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 106 Grumman F-14 Tomcat 144
Lockheed U-2 107 MIL Mi-24 Hind 145
Convair F-102 108 Dassault Mirage F.l 146
Avro Vulcan 109 McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet 147
McDonnell Douglas F-101 Voodoo 110 McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle 148
Chance Vought F-8 Crusader 111 Lockheed S-3 Viking 149
Hughes 500 112 British Aerospace Hawk 150
English Electric Lightning 113 Fairchild A-10 151
Convair F-106 114 Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk 152
SaabDraken 115 Westland Lynx 153
Westland Sea King 116 General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon 154-155
British Aerospace Sea Harrier 117 Panavia Tornado 156
British Aerospace Harrier 118 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 157
Dassault Mirage III 119
Lockheed P-3 Orion 120
McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom 121 Index 158
 7

COLORS OF WAR AND PEACE

W hy are aircraft painted and given to their origin is outlined. The French and
Germans introduced the first practical
markings? Basically, to protect the
airframe against corrosion, assist in con¬ national markings; one meter diameter
cealment from an enemy and provide roundels of red, white, and blue had
some form of national or unit identity. appeared on French military aircraft as
Markings were the first to appear, fol¬ early as 1912, and the black and white
lowed by camouflage, the latter being a cross patee was adopted by the German
derivation of the French camou/ler — to Air Service from the first weeks of the war.
German night fighter USAAC insignia, 1934
disguise. Most of the color schemes have In October 1914 Field HQ in France
insignia, 1944
been the result of particular requirements directed that British aircraft were to have
such as for aircraft operating over certain the Union Jack marking painted under the
types of terrain like the jungle or over the was first used in the early years of this lower wings. This insignia might have
sea, or for special roles. Given today’s century and continues to be applied, survived if the Cross of St George in the
modern, high-performance combat air¬ mainly to the wings, fuselage and tail. flag had not appeared similar to the Ger¬
craft, it would perhaps be logical to think Some insignia remain almost unaltered"in man cross at a distance.
that there is no real need for camouflage. design since they were first adopted dur¬ The British finally decided that the
After all, missiles are fired at targets ing the First World War, others have concentric circle marking was by far the
changed either to reflect a move to a new best form of insignia and, following agree¬
beyond visual range, and with long dis¬
national political status, or the size has ment with the French, the roundel was
tance radars it is generally accepted that
diminished to provide a less visible mark¬ adopted but with the colors reversed, red
the day of the close-conflict dogfight is
ing which will not compromise the in the center, white and a blue outer ring.
now past. That may be so, but at low level,
camouflaged finish. In addition to the With blue next to the rudder post, these
under the radar, a fast moving aircraft will
national insignia, aircraft often carry colors also formed the tail insignia. De¬
need all the protection it can get if it is to
badges, both official and unofficial, and spite changes of color shade and marking
reach its target, deliver its weapons and
examples of these can be found through¬ size over the years, Britain, France and
escape undetected. An enemy on combat
out these pages. Equally important is the Germany still retain the basic designs.
air patrol will be looking out for just such
small lettered stencilling on an airframe. Camouflage came late in 1915, when
an intruder, and if he is painted in the
This usually relates to the type of fuel the German Air Service introduced a
wrong scheme, the ‘Mk 1 eyeball could
carried, maintenance instructions, safety two-color disruptive scheme of green and
more easily pick him out against the
warnings and, on combat aircraft, informa¬ brown with light blue on the undersur¬
background, be it terrain or sky.
tion on the armament carried. faces; mauve or purple replaced the brown
Markings as well as camouflage have
It is perhaps easier to understand the later in the war. In 1916, the Royal Flying
changed over the last 70 years. Basic
subject of aircraft colors if the background Corps adopted dark-painted top surfaces
national insignia, to indicate ownership,
8

on its aircraft, the color varying from green white cross applied to the tail and three
to khaki, while a natural finish was re¬ black fasces in a circle on the wings. A
tained for the undersurfaces. white fuselage band was an added feature
After the war most countries adopted and units usually painted their squadron
formal types of national marking and number and/or badge over this. Japan’s
applied these in particular styles and blood red disk marking appeared on all
locations to obtain some orderliness com¬ Army and Navy aircraft and apart from
pared with the rather haphazard way it outlining variations, this remained consis¬
had been done previously. In the USA, tent throughout the war and continues in
bright colors were used extensively, usual¬ use today. Green was a dominant color on
ly to designate squadrons or formation Japanese aircraft although towards the end
leaders, while in the Royal Air Force most of the war unpainted fighters were regular¬
fighter aircraft had a silver finish with ly used as the urgent need for replacement
only the minimum of colors. machines prevented the application of
Colors and markings during the Second camouflage.
World War were of great variety and this American camouflage centered around
diversity can be seen in these pages. the use of green for the upper surfaces and
Disruptive schemes of two or more colors gray underneath with the star insignia
were widely used by most combatants. For above the port and below the starboard with quite light shades but ending in 1945
instance, the RAF selected brown and wings and on the fuselage sides. Fighter with a dark glossy sea blue overall.
green as being the best combination for and bomber units in Europe used a letter Reflecting the post-war peace, aircraft
overland flying and on the ground coding system for ease of identification, once again adopted natural finishes, but
camouflage, later changing to green and following closely that employed by the this period was relatively short and the
gray when over-water operations became RAF. Unofficial personal markings were Cold War and Korea prompted a move
part of most daylight missions. widely used. During the later years of the back to darker disruptive color schemes.
German thoroughness had deduced war, Allied supremacy in the air led to the Research played a major part in the
that gray formed a useful neutral color and abandonment of camouflage by the present gray camouflage carried by RAF
this was introduced early in the war to USAAF and the use of natural metal fighter aircraft. Prompted by a require¬
supplement greens and light blue. The finishes. This resulted in reduced produc¬ ment for a color scheme that would be as
cross patee of the 1914-18 war gave way tion man-hours per aircraft and slightly effective against the sky as against the
to a straight-edged design and the swastika increased performance. ground, a counter-shaded scheme was
of the Nazi party was painted on the fins Against Japan, US Army Air Force eventually devised and in 1979, an RAF
or rudders of all aircraft. aircraft followed similar color changes to Phantom was painted in the new colors.
Germany’s allies, Italy and Japan, both those in other war theaters. However, US The idea was to give the aircraft as neutral
used distinctive markings to identify their Navy fighters used blue as a basic camouf¬ an appearance as possible, given the deep
nationality. The former had a prominent lage for over-water operations, starting shadows cast by the airframe in certain
 9

lighting conditions. The top surface of the supplied B-29s. Anti-flash white was the outline. The other major marking defined
Phantom’s inner wing section was sprayed color applied to the RAF’s V-bombers at this time was a fin code. These were
a darker shade of gray than on the outer (Valiant, Victor, and Vulcan) to protect large two-letter signs applied to the fins of
sections with an even lighter shade on them from the results of a nuclear explo¬ most types of USAF aircraft and indicated
the undersurfaces. The scheme was sub¬ sion rather than for any reason of conceal¬ the unit and often the base to which the
sequently applied to RAF Tornado and ment on the ground. This finish, complete aircraft was allocated.
Hawk aircraft and has also been adopted with its low-visibility markings, gave way USAF trials in the 1980s, showed that
by Dutch and Swedish fighters. in 1964 to a scheme in keeping with the the typical terrain reflectance value for the
Bomber aircraft of the RFC and RAF in switch from high-level to low-level bomb¬ earth (ignoring desert and snow) is approx¬
the First World War generally operated at ing — dark green and medium sea gray over imately 11 percent and this became the
night and were given a black undersurface all top surfaces with white retained under¬ reflectance target value for a new paint
to reduce visual detection, while retaining neath. An exception was the black given to scheme which blended the aircraft outline
dark green over the top surfaces. This the undersurfaces of the Vulcans used on more effectively into the background. Re¬
combination was also used in the 1939-45 the Black Buck flights during the Falk- search showed that the most effective
War with the addition of brown above. lands War of 1982. The V-bombers gave scheme comprised two shades of dark gray
On the “other” side, the Germans had way to the Tornado and its present scheme and one of dark green. More specialized is
conducted a number of trials to determine of green and gray. the overall radar-absorbing black paint
the best colors and patterning for its Having ended the war with fleets of applied to the new Northrop B-2 and
warplanes and had concluded that a com¬ silver bombers, the USAF retained natural Lockheed F-117 ‘Stealth’ aircraft.
bination of greens would form the ideal metal finish for its force of new B-47s and The general outline of camouflage and
camouflage. With schwarzgrun and dunk- B-52s in the 1950s and early 1960s. With markings over the years shows clearly that
elgrun applied in a hard-edged “splinter” the Vietnam war, tactical bombers ac¬ a wide diversity of colors has been applied
pattern over the top surfaces and a light quired a three-tone camouflage after initial to military aircraft. In addition to those
blue or hellblau underneath, the Luftwaf¬ operations in light gray coloring and soon briefly covered there are the blues and
fe’s bomber units considered themselves this finish was to be found on the top grays designed for use by maritime air¬
well colored for the conflict. However, surfaces of most aircraft engaged in con¬ craft, the bright distinctive schemes used
this dark scheme showed itself to have ventional bombing of Viet Cong targets in on experimental and special duty aircraft
severe limitations on daylight missions North Vietnam. For night operations, and of course, aerobatic team aircraft of
conducted at heights of more than just a black was sprayed over the undersurfaces most nations have highly visible coloring
few hundred feet! Switching to night and tails of the aircraft and this finish was for their air display flying.
operations, black was used to cover the also applied to the new F-lll when it was The following illustrations have been
light undersides and the white elements in first deployed to SE Asia in 1968. The chosen to illustrate the wide variety of
national insignia was reduced in size colors and markings that have been ap¬
the national markings.
Post-war bomber markings and colors during this period and eventually the plied to warplanes over the years. The
changed slowly, reverting from wartime three main colors that formed the marking subject is large and it is certain that it will
were replaced by a simple dark gray remain a source of continuing fascination.
hues to the silver finish of the American-
10
AVRO 504
Bomber/reconnaissance/trainer; first appeared in 1913 and used initially in bombing and recce roles by the Royal Flying Corps and
Royal Naval Air Service; later used with great success as a trainer due to its docile handling qualities; production exceeded 8600.

504K, ROYAL FLYING CORPS TRAINING UNIT, 1918

This aircraft has a khaki-green finish with
clear-doped undersurfaces.

504R, ESTONIAN AIR FORCE.

TALLIN, 1928
Only a small number of this
variant, known as the Gosport,
Were built.

504N, OXFORD UNIVERSITY AIR SQUADRON, UPPER

HEYFORD, UK, MID-1930S
This was widely used by raf flying-training
schools between the wars. It also saw service
with the Cambridge University Air Squadron.
 S.E.5a 11

Fighter/reconnaissance; single-seater produced by the Royal Aircraft Factory at Farnborough; powered by a 200-hp Hispano-Suiza and
later models by a 200-hp Wolseley Viper; single Vickers gun in fuselage and a Lewis gun above wing; 5205 manufactured.

74 SQUADRON, RAF, 1918

Major ‘Mick’ Mannock claimed some of his 73
victories flying this type shortly after the kaf
was formed by the amalgamation of the kfc
and the rnas. Note the large identification
letter ‘A’ on the fuselage. This 'A' code was
also painted large on the upper starboard
wing.

25th AERO SQUADRON, US AIR SERVICE,

LANGLEY FIELD, US, 1919
This aircraft has retained the official PClO or
khaki top surface color, clear-doped
undersides and rudder striping. Wartime
roundels were officially replaced by the star
insignia in May 1919.
«_SQPWITH CAMEL_
Fighter; most famous World War 1 fighter renowned for its maneuverability; produced by Sopwith and others, notably Boulton & Paul;
twin Vickers guns with Lewis gun above wing on naval version replacing one of the Vickers; 5490 manufactured.

65 SQUADRON, ROYAL FLYING CORPS, 1917

This Camel (F6314) still survives and can be
seen in the raf Museum, Hendon. Colors and
markings are typical. Note the polished
aluminum cowling.

PERSONAL COLORS, 1919

Just after the war, in 1919, a
Capt C. M. McEwen flew this
Boulton & Paul-built Camel
while based in Italy. The
serial had been wrongly
marked - it should be
D8239.

GROUPE DE CHASSE BELGE, BELGIAN AIR SERVICE, 1918

A Camel in Belgian markings with what
appears to be polished wood around the
cockpit area. The pilot was the Belgian ace,
Jan Oleislagen, and the plane sports a resplendent
thistle insignia just aft of the cockpit.
 ALBATROS DV
Fighter; the plane was not a success as it had a structural weakness in the lower wing which marred an otherwise very streamlined
design and resulted in a number of accidents; by the end of the war around 3000 had been built.

D.V, JASTA 5, IMPERIAL AIR SERVICE, WESTERN FRONT, 1917

Jastafuhrer Oberleutnant Paul Baumer flew this Edelweiss¬
decorated machine on the Western Front in late 1917.
Jasta 5 decorated the tails of its machines in
dark green outlined in red, the fuselage colors
were created by the individual pilots.

D.V, JASTA 5, IMPERIAL AIR SERVICE,

WESTERN FRONT, 1917
A member of the Jasta 5
‘Circus,' Ltn Fritz Rumey
claimed 45 ‘kills’ before
losing his life on
27 September 1918.
As well as
decoration on the
aircraft, such bright
coloring provided a quick
form of ‘identification' during
dogfights.

D.V, JASTA 5, ATTACHED TO SECOND ARMY,

IMPERIAL AIR SERVICE, WESTERN FRONT,
1918
Oberleutnant R Flashar painted an iron fist on each
side of his aircraft. The cross patee was replaced by
the straight-edged Latin cross from 1 January 1918,
the white edging varying in thickness
between aircraft.
14
FOKKER Dr I
Fighter; 110-hpOberursel rotary engine; two fixed 7.92 mm MG guns with 1000 rounds of ammunition; about 320 manufactured; most
famous German-built World War I plane, fast-climbing and highly maneuverable tri plane; flown by the Red Baron, Manfred von Richthofen.

Dr I (213/17), (ASTA BOELCKE, IMPERIAL AIR

SERVICE, WESTERN FRONT, 1917
The aircraft of Ltn Fritz Kempf (whence the
white letter K on the fuselage) finished in a
dark olive green doped fabric, applied at the
factory. Obscured by the lower strokes of the
letter K is the Fokker serial (213/17) which
was applied to all German aircraft, the
number after the stroke being the year
of manufacture

Dr I 425/17, JAGDGESCHWADER I, IMPERIAL

AIR SERVICE, CAPPY, WESTERN FRONT,
21 APRIL 1918
Famous as the vermilion-doped Triplane in
which Rittmeister Manfred von Richthofen
lost his life. The llOhp Oberursel rotary
engine is now among the exhibits of the
Imperial War Museum, London. The old style
cross can be seen under the later
marking.
 BRISTOL BULLDOG 15

Fighter; production models were the ii, iia, and iva and 441 were manufactured; almost half of these biplanes were exported to northern
and eastern Europe; in mid-1930s, the Bristol Bulldog represented almost 70 per cent of Britain’s airborne fighter force.

Mk IIA, 17 SQUADRON, RAF UPAVON,

UK, 1934
The yellow represented on the
spinner, wheels and rudder is the
flight leader's color. Black
zigzags seen on the fuselage
were also applied over the
silver-finished top
wing surface.

Mk IVA, TLELV 35, FINNISH AIR FORCE, 1942

The yellow band and yellow wingtips were a
standard identification feature. The Finnish
Air Force bought 17 of this type in 1935
the last Bulldogs to be built.

Mk IIA (BRISTOL TYPE 105D),

1 ESKADRILLE, DANISH ARMY, 1932
This aircraft equipped Denmark’s
first fighter unit. The badge on the
fin is a small ‘Bulldog’ insignia
applied by the Bristol
Company and is not a unit
badge.
 HAWKER HART
Light biplane bomber; bombload of 520lb underwing; single gun, ,303 MG, in rear; 2700 manufactured, including similar aircraft
developed from the Hart: Demon, Hector, Audax, Hardy and Osprey; the Hart could out-distance all fighters in service when first built.

Mk I, 57(B) SQUADRON, RAF UPPER

HEYFORD, UK, JUNE 1934
The clean lines of the Hart impressed all those
who saw it during the early 1930s and its
shape was enhanced by the polished
metal nose and the silver-doped
fabric fuselage, which was the
standard finish of the time.
The squadron number was
finished in the flight color and was
22in high.

DEMON I, 604 (COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX)

SQUADRON, RAF HENDON, UK, 1936
A two-seat interceptor fighter version of the
Hart, the Demon entered service with the raf
in mid-1933; the Royal Australian
Air Force also operated the
type, ordering 64 in March
1934. This machine carries
the colorful markings of an
Auxiliary Air Force unit. Note the
badge on the fin.
 HAWKER FURY
Bomber/interceptor built by Hawker in UK and under license in Yugoslavia; prototype first flew in 1929; 264 manufactured, including
112 of more powerful Fury IIs.; originally named Hornet, the Fury was a fast and most elegant fighting biplane.

FURY 1,1(F) SQUADRON, RAF TANGMERE,

UK, 1936-7
K
With their highly polished cowling and silver- 5B73
doped fabric-covered airframe, the
Furies came to epitomize the
inter-war raf fighter. As well
as 1 Sqn, 25 and 43 also flew
Fury Is, the latter unit being the
first to equip. On the red fin is an
arrowhead in white with a winged figure 1
in the center.

FURY II, 43 SQUADRON, RAF TANGMERE,

UK, LATE 1938
The deterioration in international affairs
prompted the camouflaging of the kaf's
front-line aircraft, including the
silver biplanes that were
beginning to be replaced by
the new monoplane fighters, the
Hurricane and Spitfire. Red and
blue Type B roundels appeared in the
usual insignia positions over the camouflage,
the unit’s Fighting Cock badge being retained on the fin.
 GRUMMAN G-5
Fighter; built for US Navy; prototype XFF 1 first flew in December 1931; Wright Cyclone engine in later models exceeded 200 mph;
observers with strong arms were needed to operate the long jackscrew which retracted the main undercarriage after take off.

FF-1, VF-5B “RED RIPPERS," US NAVY,

USS LEXINGTON, 1934-5
One of the 27 FF-ls ordered for use aboard
Navy carriers and finished in the colors of the
3rd Section Leader of the Squadron. The blue
tail denoted the Lexington, while under the
cockpit is the boar's head unit insignia. From
this ungainly looking Grumman design
stemmed a range of aircraft that was to
culminate in the Mach 2 Tomcat interceptor of today's Navy.

GOBLIN, 118 (F) SQUADRON, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE,

DARTMOUTH, NOVA SCOTIA,
CANADA, 1941
The Canadian machines were assembled by
Canadian Car & Foundry, Grumman
producing the fuselages and Brewster the
wings and tail surfaces. Sixteen were taken on
charge by the rcaf, this machine receiving the
standard Dark Green and Dark Earth
disruptive camouflage.

Plan view of No 344, rcaf,

showing the upper surface
pattern and positioning
of the Type B wing
roundels.
 BOEING P-26 19

Fighter; all-metal monoplane nicknamed the ‘Peashooter’ by the USAAC; conservative features still held sway with an open cockpit,
external wire bracing and a fixed undercarriage; 136 manufactured with.

P-26B, US ARMY AIR CORPS, (UNE 1934

One of two aircraft given the B sub-type
designation, this machine has a fuel-injection
system and also incorporated wing flaps,
which the Army considered necessary owing
to the P-26A's high landing speed.

P-26A, 95th PURSUIT SQUADRON, 17th ATTACK

Bucking Mule marking
GROUP, USAAC, 1934
of the 95th Pursuit Sqn.
As with other aircraft at this time,
the Olive Drab was replaced by Blue
during the year. Standard armament
of the P-26A comprised two ,30in
MGs, or one .30in and one ,50in
MG, with provision for light bombs
under the fuselage and wings.

P-26A, 34th PURSUIT SQUADRON, 17th PURSUIT GROUP,

USAAC, MARCH FIELD, USA, 1935
An aircraft specially painted for a camouflage
evaluation in a disruptive scheme of Desert
Sand with random patches of Olive Drab and
Gray over-sprayed. This was not adopted
as a standard scheme, although variations on
it were used in World War II, particularly
in North African operations from 1942.
20
BRISTOL BLENHEIM 1
Fighter; the RAF’s first all-metal stressed skin monoplane, it outshone most biplane fighters in the late 1930s but stood little chance
against the German Bf 109 during the early daylight operations of WWII; in excess of 1450 of the Mark I manufactured.

Mk 1,114 SQUADRON, RAF WYTON, UK, SUMMER 1937

The first unit to be equipped with Blenheims,
114 Sqn received its original complement of 12
aircraft in March 1937. Camouflage was Dark
Green, Dark Earth and matt Black, with the
unit number applied on the rear
fuselage. Code letters FD in
gray replaced the unit
number in 1938.

Mk IF, 54 OPERATIONAL
TRAINING UNIT, RAF, SEPTEMBER 1941
It was as a night fighter that the early
Blenheim proved successful. Some
200 were converted with an
under-fuselage tray of four
machine guns and AI
(air-interception) radar.
YX-N is finished in Special
Night (Black) overall.

Mk I, ROMANIAN SQUADRON
1/3, EASTERN FRONT, AUGUST 1944
The survivors of 13 UK-built aircraft supplied
in November 1939 were operating against
the Russians in late 1944 as part
of Luftwaffe Air Fleet 4
in the Black Sea area.
Yellow fuselage band
and wingtips denote
the war theater, while
37 is probably the individual
aircraft number.
 GLOSTER GAUNTLET 21

Fighter; the last of the open cockpit variety to see service with the RAF. Powered by a Bristol Mercury engine, it could reach 230 mph,
making it the fastest fighter in RAF service between 1935 and 1937; production totaled 228.

Mk II, 151 SQUADRON, RAF NORTH

BHl
WEALD, UK, 1937
Compared with the Mk I, this
version has constructional changes
to rationalize production
methods, and some
machines were
fitted with a three-
bladed propeller in
place of the more
usual two-bladed
wooden type. All-
over silver with unit
markings on fuselage
and across the top
wing between
the roundels.

Mk II, 17 SQUADRON, RAF

KENLEY, UK, 1938
Based at one of the defensive
airfields positioned around London,
this unit along with others at the
time was instructed to apply
a Dark Green/Dark Earth
camouflage over the top surfaces
of its aircraft. Codes were Medium
Sea Gray and roundels were Type B
converted from 25in Type A.
22
DOUGLAS DC-3
Transport; arguably the greatest airliner ever made, over 14,000 examples were manufactured in US, Japan and Soviet Union; also
known as C-47, Dakota and Skytrain, the plane is still in service around the world more than 55 years after it first entered service.

DC-3, KLM (ROYAL DUTCH AIRLINES), SCHIPHOL, NETHERLANDS, SEPTEMBER 1939

Clearly marked with the country name on
both sides of the fuselage roof. PH-ASK
"Kemphaan" endeavored to'ensure unviolated
passage around northern Europe in the
months before Holland fell to the Germans. It
was eventually captured by the Luftwaffe in
Norway.

C-47A-65-DL, FIRST AIR COMMANDO, USAAF,

10th AF, CHINA-BURMA-INDIA THEATER, 1944-5
Olive Drab and Neutral Gray was the scheme,
but the finish was often worn from non-stop
operations in a part of the world where air
transport was vital to the Allies' war effort.
This was one of 13 aircraft in the First
Air Commando Force, and later received
five diagonal white stripes around the rear
fuselage.

DAKOTA III, 267 SQUADRON, RAF, ARAXOS, GREECE, 1944

An indeterminate scheme of browns with a
light blue underside is the interpreted finish of
FD857, alias C-47 c/n 9325. Of more than 1200
Dakotas supplied to the raf under Lend-
Lease, about 950 were of the Mk III
version, 25 raf squadrons flew Dakotas
during the war.
 TUNKERS Ju 52
Transport/bomber; entered military service in 1933; used by the German Condor Legion in Spain in 1937 and during World War II in all
major theaters of operations by the Luftwaffe; a docile undemanding plane, over 5000 were maufactured.

Ju 52/3mg3e, KAMPFGRUPPE 88,

LEGION CONDOR. SPAIN, LATE 1936
Three 12-aircraft Staffeln of Ju 52 bombers
arrived in Spain toward the end of 1936 and
operated alongside similar aircraft
supplied to Franco by Germany
in the summer. Color was
a pale green-gray,
probably Grau 63.

Ju 52/3MG4e, Stab IV/KGzbV 1, LUFTWAFFE

BALKANS, APRIL-MAY 1941
Wearing the yellow theater colors of the
southern area of operations, this aircraft
took part in the airborne invasion
of Crete, called by Gen Kurt
Student “the graveyard of the
German paratrooper” owing to
the high losses sustained. The
letters KGzbV stand for Kampfgesch
wader zur besonderen Verwendung (Battle
Group for Special Duties).

Ju 52/3mg6e, IV/KGzbV 1,
LUFTWAFFE, STALINGRAD
FRONT, USSR, WINTER 1942-3
To reduce visibility against snow
when flying supply missions
to the beleagured 6th Army
outside Stalingrad, aircraft were
given a white water-soluble paint
finish over the upper surfaces. A dark green
surround has been left around the fuselage cross and
swastika marking.
 '•_FAIREY SWORDFISH_
Torpedo-bomber biplane; though outdated at the start of World War II the Swordfish remained in service with the Royal Navy as there
was no replacement; its battle honours included the crippling of the Italian Fleet at Taranto and the torpedoing of the Bismarck.

Mk I, 823 SQUADRON, FLEET AIR ARM,

HMS GLORIOUS, 1936
Developed initially from the TSR I (Torpedo-
Spotter-Reconnaissance) and the modified
TSR II which flew in April 1934, the
Swordfish entered service in July 1936;
by 1939 13 squadrons were equipped.
Early aircraft were finished in silver
overall with a color/number code
on the fuselage side (yellow for
Glorious, 804 call sign code number).
Black fuselage decking and fin.

Mk I, 821 SQUADRON, FLEET AIR ARM,

HMS ARK ROYAL, 1940
Early war markings on a carrier-based aircraft
with Sky color undersides extending up to a
line along the fuselage to meet the temperate
gray/green pattern which was painted on the
top surfaces. Eight inch serial and large
figure/letter code indicate a carrier-based
aircraft.
 HEINKEL He 111 25

Medium bomber; one of the chief aircraft used during the Battle of Britain bomber offensive; more than 7300 manufactured. A slow
cumbersome plane, the He 111 needed fighter protection during daytime raids. Later used in night time operations.

He 111H-6, GEFECHTSVERBAND KUHLMEY, LUFTWAFFE, FINLAND, JULY 1944

Russian Front markings on an aircraft still (i
carrying the 7A+FA codes of its former user
Stab LG 2. The H-6 variant was an important ..jqpf ^ j ^

as well as flying anti-ship torpedo- TO* •' f ~V,

carrying missions against the ^ 7^
Allied supply convoys ~~-
traveling to Russia from
1942. This machine was one of
those armed with a remote- ' [ L\
controlled gun in the extreme tail. <^uasm

He 111H, KG 4 ‘GENERAL WEVER,’ LUFTWAFFE, IRAQ, APRIL 1941

Its Luftwaffe markings and codes crudely
painted out, this aircraft displays Iraqi _^
markings as part of a token
support force for Raschid J
Ali, leader of an Axis-
inspired revolt against
British forces pHHHF'
the country. The unit jp-,,,,
badge was, however. if pMMfiH
retained, as was the German
camouflage.

He 111H-3, SLOVAKIAN AIR FORCE,

TRENCIN, SPRING 1943
Various models of the He 111 were
used by the German satellite air
forces of Hungary, Romania
and Slovakia. The
markings were adapted from
those of the Luftwaffe and helped
prevent mis-identification during combat
 SAVOIA-MARCHETTI S.M.79
Torpedo bomber/reconnaissance; one of the Regia Aeronautical most successful aircraft, well liked by its crews for its ability to absorb
considerable combat damage yet remain flying; prototype first flew in 1934 and was still being used by the Lebanese air force in 1956.

S.M.79/P.XI, 257 SQUADRIGLIA, 108 GRUPPO

REGIA AERONAUTICA, SICILY, 1941
The dorsal gunner’s position gave rise to the
sobriquet Gobbo (hunchback) for the aircraft.
Color schemes varied; this dark painted
machine carrying its almost
indistinct unit number on
0
| ' - if§j jgj
the fuselage and a badge >|jf ig M j|Wfr: Pij
on the fin. SgggrHi " ' 'T : ----- --- -
C-

} _ ‘Iw*-.
S.M.79/P.XI, 283 SQUADRIGLIA,
130 GRUPPO AUTONOMO,
REGIA AERONAUTICA, MEDITERRANEAN, 1942
The Italian Aerosiiuranti or torpedo-bombing
units led the world in equipment and
technique, a claim underlined by their
success against Allied
shipping. A white
theater band circled M l
the fuselage on this ■WaMBlt
mottle camouflaged lyKmf
example.

S.M.79/P.XI, 193 SQUADRIGLIA, 87 GRUPPO

REGIA AERONAUTICA, SICILY, 1941
Dark Green with Yellow Ocher sprayed in
random form was typical of the schemes
applied to Italian Air Force aircraft of this
period. On the center engine
cowling is a single fasces P* I'MPW ’ F
marking; on the rudder gr ||
cross is the badge of
the House of Savoy. Ky §
 CURTISS HELLDIVER 27

Dive-bomber; originally a monoplane with a parasol wing but re-designed into carrier-based dive-bomber/combat biplane for US Navy;
delivered in 1937 it became obsolete even before World War II and was kept well away from the formidable Axis fighters.

SBC-3, VS-5, US NAVY, USS YORKTOWN, 1937

These initial aircraft were delivered and
operated in natural metal finish, apart from
the chrome yellow on the upper wing surface
and the red tail, the latter signifying the
Yorktown. The blue areas denoted the 3rd
section leader. Scouting Five's “Man O’War
Bird” emblem is seen below the cockpit.

SBC-4 (CLEVELAND 1), RAF LITTLE

RISSINGTON, UK, SEPTEMBER 1940
Five Helldivers found their way to the UK as a
residue of 50 handed over to France by the
usn. Sprayed Dark Green, Dark Earth with
Sky undersides, the aircraft were used as
ground instructional airframes.

SBC-4, AERONAVALE, MARTINIQUE, 1940-1

Fifty of these obsolete carrier biplane bombers
had been ordered by the French Navy, most
ending up on Martinique. Camouflage was
Green and Gray with Sky Blue undersides.
28
GLOSTER GLADIATOR
Fighter; the Gladiator was the last of the RAF’s biplane fighters and was withdrawn from frontline use by the end of 1941; it had fought
with distinction in the Norwegian campaign and against the Regia Aeronautica in Malta, Greece and the Western Desert.

Mk I, F19, FINNISH AIR FORCE, KEMI,

NORTH FINLAND, 1940
A ski-equipped J8 (Swedish
designation) of the Swedish
voluntary unit F19 during
the Winter War against
the USSR. Finland
received 39 Mk IIs from
the UK in 1940 and operated
them until 1945. They were
coded GL-251 to-280.

Mk II, 25 SQUADRON, RAF, UK, 1940

Early war camouflage of Dark Green and
Dark Earth with Sky undersurfaces
on an aircraft relegated to
second-line duties. Unusually,
the unit code ZK has no
accompanying letter indicating
the individual aircraft within
the squadron.
HAWKER HURRICANE“
Single-seat fighter-bomber; carried bombs, rockets, tank-busting cannons and machine guns; 14,231 manufactured, including Canadian
models; rugged and durable, the Hurricane was not as fast as the Messerschmitt Bfl09, but could absorb considerable battle damage.

Mk I, 85 SQUADRON, RAF DEBDEN, UK, 1940

This has the Battle of Britain finish, with Sky
undersides and the unit badge under the
cockpit. Note the rudder flash size and
position.

Mk IIC, 1 SQUADRON, RAF TANGMERE, UK,

This has standard day-fighter colors, with Sky
spinner and a yellow wing leading edge. The
black serial has been applied over
the rear identification band.

SEA HURRICANE (HURRICANE X), 440

SQUADRON, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR
FORCE, 1942
Although built in Canada for the Royal Navy
and finished in these colors, this aircraft was
retained for use in Canada.
30
BOEING B-17
Bomber; known as the ‘Flying Fortress’, it bore the brunt of the USAF daylight bombing effort over Europe between 1942-45; first flown
in July 1935, the earlier B17C was less than successful, but the aircraft's true worth was recognized with the later F and G series.

FORTRESS I, 90 SQUADRON, 2 GROUP, RAF POLEBROOK, UK, SUMMER 1941

Twenty B-17C versions were delivered to the
kaf and after a series of unsuccessful
bombing raids they were transferred to
Coastal Command for MR. “K-King."
AN521 was the first to arrive in
the UK and commenced
operations in July 1941; it
crashed in Egypt in 1942.

B-17F-40, 359th SQUADRON, 303rd BOMB GROUP, MOLESWORTH, UK, SUMMER 1943
Mid-war coloring on an 8th AF aircraft of
Olive Drab and Neutral Gray, but with
medium green blotched over the top
surfaces. Codes were light
gray and the star had yet
to receive the bars,
which were added in
August 1943. Wing markings
were above the left wing and
below the right.

B-17G-40, 447th BOMB GROUP, 3rd AIR DIVISION, 8th AIR FORCE, USAAF, RATTLESDEN, UK, EARLY 1945
Camouflage was dispensed with near the war’s end with
the natural metal-finished aircraft receiving
color and symbols to make identification
of the bombers easier in the
huge formations.
On the nose are mission
markings for 83 raids.
 DORNIER Do 17 31

Medium-bomber/reconnaissance; 1700 manufactured; originally developed as a high-speed mailplane for Lufthansa, it was first used as
a bomber by the Condor Legion during the Spanish Civil War; the ‘Flying Pencil’ was one of World War IPs most famous bombers.

Do 17E-1, AUFKLARUNGSGRUPPE 88 of
LEGION CONDOR, BUNUEL-
TUDELA, SPAIN, 1938
Operational during the I ,.
Nationalist offensive in I I
Aragon, this aircraft has taugjgfjHH
the then standard three-
color segmented cam- K; ;f
ouflage over the top surfaces^^s'*%BtfS!,a*““

“EDELWEISS,” MEMMINGEN, GERMANY, 1938

Finished in “splinter” style three-^>i^_i^
color camouflage, a Do 17 ^
poses as the “enemy" c
during war games. The llij^
swastika was retained, W j
but the crosses have been ''' ^
obscured. This unit subsequently became III/KG 51

Do 17P-1, 3,(F)/22, LUXEMBOURG, MAY 1940 I

Reconnaissance version of the bomber, the 1
P-1 seen here, flew night ops for
which it was given a random
spray of black paint ^rll 4 >^“1
over the Hellblau r" ^
undersides. This variant UgidEl]
was powered by BMW ^**■*■1^**™^*^**
132N radials in place of the earlier BMW VI liquid-coo ■ engines

Do 17P-1, AUFKLARUNGSGRUPPE
3.(F)/NACHT, PLESKAU, 1942
White top surface camouflage
for daylight ops contrasts !
with matt black under¬
surface for night recces.
32
MESSERSCHMITT Bf 109
Fighter; by 1939 C, D and E versions had been delivered - these were followed by the F, G and K series; 35,000 manufactured; the Bf 109
can claim to be the most produced fighter in history; Erich Hartmann had 352 victories flying 109s.

Bf 109E-3, JAGDESCHWADER 26, LUFTWAFFE, FRANCE, MID-1941

A true ace’s aircraft - Geschwaderkommodore Adolf Galland's
machine, carrying his score on the
rudder, his personal "Mickey
Mouse” emblem below the
cockpit and the unit
Schlageter badge behind
the engine supercharger air
intake.

Bf 109E-3, II/JAGDGESCHWADER 77, LUFTWAFFE,

AALBORG, NORWAY, JULY 1940
Flow by Gruppenkommandeur Hauptmann Henschel, this
aircraft typifies one of the standard
color schemes used during the
Battle of Britain period.
The light blue extended
up the fuselage to the
three-quarter line with the
greens covering the top quarter,
wings and tailplane. The yellow triangle
on the rear fuselage is the 87-octane fuel marker, while
the smaller triangle by the unit badge is the oil-filler marking.

Bf 109E-4/B, II/JAGDGESCHWADER 54, LUFTWAFFE,

LENINGRAD FRONT, SPRING 1942
Ltn Steindl’s aircraft has an individual paint scheme.
Variations of this finish
have been seen on other aircraft
flown by JG 54 ‘Grunherz’.
The E-4/B version of the
Bf 109 was employed
as a fighter-bomber.
 33

Bf 109-2/TROP, III/JAGDGESCHWADER 27,

LUFTWAFFE, NORTH AFRICA, 1942
Considered the best of the breed, the F series
refined the earlier E and became a
true pilot’s aircraft. In skilled
hands it often defeated the j
cream of the Allied fighters,
the Spitfire V. This Afrika
Korps example has the unit badge
on the nose and white Med. theater markings,

Bf 109F-4/B, 10.(JABO)/JAGDGESCHWADER 2, LUFTWAFFE, FRANCE, JUNE 1942

Staffelkapitan Oberleutnant Liesendahl flew this bomber version
before being shot down on 17 July
1942 off Brixham, England. The
red fox chewing a ship
badge of JG2 “Richthofen”
was painted on the nose,
while the pilot’s score of ships
sunk or damaged was stenciled
on the rudder.

Bf 109G-8, IV/JAGDGESCHWADER 5, LUFTWAFFE, FINLAND, WINTER 1943-4

One of the more unusual attempts at camouflage for operations
during the winter months. In air-to-air
combat, this dappled scheme
was probably quite effective
considering the snow/forest
landscape against which
most missions were flown.
w.
34
FAIREY BATTLE_
Bomber/trainer; designed to replace the Hawker Hart, the concept of the single-engined day bomber had been overtaken by technology
by the outbreak of World War II; underpowered and underarmed, the Battle was withdrawn from frontline service in late 1940.

Mk 1,106 SQUADRON, RAF ABINGDON, UK, AUGUST 1933

At this time rap units proudly displayed their
squadron number on the sides of the fuselage.
However, within a year, the number has been /flT
replaced by a two-letter code which, for 106 , .imraiMiri ¥i
Sqn, was XS.

Mk 1, 5 ESCADRILLE, III GRUPPE,

3 REGIMENT, BELGIAN AIR FORCE,
EVERE-BRUXELLES, MAY 1940
Avions Fairey at Gosselies delivered 18
aircraft to the Belgian AF in 1938, these
equipping 5 and 7 Sqn of III Gruppe. A longer
radiator cowling, different exhaust stubs for
the Merlin 111 engine and a shallower _
rear canopy gave Belgian
Battles a slightly better
performance than their
UK-built counterparts.

BATTLE (T), ROYAL AIR FORCE, SEPTEMBER 1941

This was one of a batch of dual-control
trainers used by instructional schools in the
UK and Canada. At the base of the fin is the
“gas patch" which was still being
applied to aircraft at this time.
while in black on the rear ^
litM’l.!}:.' is llie.MTi.il KniO ...
_TUNKERS Tu 87_”
Dive-bomber; the Stuka had a sinister appearance and at the outbreak of the war was used for propaganda but poor maneuverability and
speed made it an easy target for the Allied fighters; its cranked wing and fixed wheel spats made it easy to identify.

Ju 87B-1, STAFFEL JOLANTHE, LEGION CONDOR, SPAIN, 1938-9

One of five of the first production B-l versions
which were despatched to Spain in October
1938 for service alongside General Franco's
forces. The camouflage was the same as that
applied to Luftwaffe Stukas, but
with Spanish insignia and
coding. Wing top
surface marking was
often just a white cross
painted on the dark green
background color.

Ju 87B-2,1./ST.G.3, NORTH AFRICA,

LUFTWAFFE, EARLY 1942
Flying in support of Rommel’s Afrika Korps,
this aircraft probably carried a scheme of Sandgelb
mottled with sprayed patches of
Olivegriin (80] and Himmelblau
(78) undersurfaces. White
theater markings
around fuselage,
spinner and under wingtips.
A first aid pack was carried in
the fuselage by the Cross.
 36
FIESELER Fi 156 STORCH
Transport/communications/spotter; the Storch was able to land in almost the length of its wingspan and take off was nearly as
impressive; it flew wherever the Wehrmacht fought: 2549 were manufactured and it was still operating in Vietnam in the 1950s.

Fi 156C-3/TROP, 2.(H)/14 AFRIKA KORPS, NORTH AFRICA, APRIL 1941

Tank spotting duties was the main task of this
aircraft camouflaged in Sandgelb with —-
Hellblau undersides. White areas under the
outboard wing sections, around the
fuselage and covering the rudder
were a feature of North Africa-based
aircraft. The unit’s Edelweiss badge was
painted on the engine cowling.

Fi 156C-3, KURIERSTAFFEL, LUFTWAFFE HIGH

COMMAND, EASTERN FRONT,
RUSSIA, 1942
As white was the identity marking in
Africa, so yellow was the color
applied to aircraft operating on the
Russian Front. L2 was the code of
Geschwaderstab of LG2, the letter
B was the aircraft's code and A
referred to the Staffel within the
Geschwader.

Fi 156C-5, COMANDO AERONAUTICA

ALBANIA (REGIA AERONAUTICA) ITALIAN
AIR FORCE, TIRANA, ALBANIA, MARCH 1941
A number of Storch observation aircraft were supplied
to the IAF and this example operating in Albania
received a light green finish with gray undersides. The
“fascis” emblem appears in front of the wide band.
 BRISTOL BLENHEIM IV 37

Bomber; built in Britain by the Bristol Co. and by Fairchild in Canada, where it was known as the Bolingbroke; more than 5000
manufactured; it differed in appearance to the Mk 1 having a longer nose but was equally unsuccessful in its daylight bombing role.

Mk IV, 139 SQUADRON, RAF HORSHAM ST FAITH, UK, 1940

The Blenheim-equipped daylight bombing squadrons
suffered major losses during the early stages of World_^^3U
War II. However, one survivor was this /UTTPS’
machine which was relegated to training
duties until it was withdrawn from
service in 1944. Colors were Dark Green, ^ppn|
Dark Earth and Sky undersides.

Mk IV, 55 SQUADRON, RAF, FUKA, EGYPT, EARLY 1942

An unusual Mediterranean blue finish on <
a Western Desert-based aircraft. The unit -jadr
was one of the last to fly the type p-'UT
in this theater, eventually exchanging ur
the Mk IVs for Martin Baltimores in May
1942. .

Mk IV LeLv 42, FINNISH AIR FORCE, FINLAND, LATE 1942

Both Mk 1 and Mk IV Blenheims were operated
by Finland during the 1940 Winter War _ ,/^e3
and the 1941-4 Continuation War. The type ■
was nicknamed ‘Pelti Heikki’ (Tin Henry)
and the later version remained in service
until 1957. The mission marks on the tail i
of this example were applied only I ...
on the port side.
“_A.W. WHITLEY_
Heavy bomber; first ot the trio (others were the Wellington and Hampden) with which RAF went to war in 1939; with a top speed of only
192mph at 14,300 feet, was used solely for night operations; range extended to northern Italy from Britain.

Mk IV, 10 SQUADRON, RAF DISHFORTH, UK, 1938

After 1939 the PB squadron code was changed
to ZA. Underwing white serials were 45in
high, and the fuselage serials,
Bin high. The serial number is repeated on
the rudder fin.

Mk V, 78 SQUADRON. RAF DISHFORTH, UK, 1941

In this all-black version the original Type A1
roundel has been modified to a Cl and the
individual aircraft letter (Y) has been
made more prominent. The serials are
now white and placed on the fuselage.

Mk V, RAF, 1942
Retired from bomber operations in the spring
of 1942, Whitleys undertook other duties
including leaflet, supply and agent
dropping. This uncoded Mk V is painted
in the official temperate land camouflage
scheme of World War II. Its serial is
painted black.

Mk VII, 502 SQUADRON, RAF ST EVAL, UK, 1941

From 10 August 1941 all kac Coastal Command
Whitleys (and other types) were ordered to be given
white undersurfaces and sides with Z9I9□
Dark Slate Gray and Extra Dark
Sea Gray on surfaces viewed from
immediately above.
 VOUGHT SB2U VINDICATOR
Carrier based scout-bomber; a cantilever monoplane equipped with folding outer wings for ship stowage; impressive during trials in
1936, its combat career was brief, a courageous action against the Japanese at Midway finally confirming its obsolescence.

SB2U-1, COMMANDER RANGER AIR GROUP, US NAVY, USS RANGER, 1940

In 1940 three units - VB-4, VS-41 and VS-42 -
were equipped with SB2Us aboard this
carrier, green tails identifying aircraft attached
to the ship. With America still neutral,
the aircraft displayed a neutrality
patrol star on the engine cowling.
The black stripes on the fin
are landing assistance lines
for carrier use.

SB2U-1, VS-41, US NAVY,

USS RANGER, AUGUST 1942
The red center had been deleted from the
national insignia by this time and the aircraft
itself was about to depart from the
front-line scene as the usn accepted
that it was not up to the
combat standards of the time.
The Non-Specular Blue Gray
top surface color was also appli
to the underside of the outer
folding wing panels.

CHESAPEAKE 1, 811 SQUADRON, ROY;

NAVY, LEE-ON-SOLENT, UK, AUTUMN
The British, too, ordered the type and
50 were delivered, but their
performance was not considered
good enough for front-line
use. Color scheme was Dark
Slate Gray (a gray-green color)
and Extra Dark Sea Gray with
Sky undersides.
 _FOCKE-WULF Fw 200_
Bomber/transport; a 26-passenger airliner developed into a long-distance commerce raider; achieved some success before the advent of
long-range Coastal Command aircraft and catapult armed merchantmen fighters eliminated its threat; a total of 276 were built.

Fw 200V3, “IMMELMANN III,” REGIERUNGSSTAFFEL, BERLIN, GERMANY, 1940

Hitler’s personal transport received the
standard bomber camouflage finish of
Schwarzgriin and Dunkelgrtin with
Hellblau undersides. Hitler's
compartment featured a
large armoured seat placed
over an escape hatch and
incorporated a parachute pack.
The 26-00 code was previously used on the
Ftihrer’s Ju 52s.

Fw 200C-0,1/KG 40, LUFTWAFFE, STALINGRAD, USSR,

JANUARY 1943
Supply flights to the beleaguered 6th Army
found large numbers of aircraft impressed
into the operation, including this —
armed transport version which
received a coat of “winter
white” over the dark green
upper surfaces. It was
normally attached to the Reich Air
Ministry Pool based at Berlin-Staaken.

Fw 200C-8, III/KG 40, LUFTWAFFE,

BORDEAUX-MARIGNAC, FRANCE, 1944
The last production variant was equipped
with FuG 200 Hohentwiel search
radar in the nose and a
Henschel Hs293 anti-ship
missile under each wing.
Few successes were
achieved by this
combination and the type reverted to its
original role - that of transportation.
 MORANE-SAULNIER M.S.406 41

Fighter; 860-hp Hispano-Suiza engine; one 20mm cannon and two 7.5mm machine guns; 573 manufactured. Although sturdy and
highly maneuverable, the M.S.406 was too slow and insufficiently-armed to combat the Luftwaffe’s Bf 109.

M.S.406C1,1 ESCADRILLE, GROUPE DE CHASSE 1/2, FRENCH AIR FORCE, NIMES, FRANCE, JULY 1940
An aircraft of the famous “Les Cicognes”
(Stork) unit with the insignia painted on the L
fin. The rudder carries the standard French
aircraft type destination plus the construction
number (704). Camouflage was Green,
Dark Earth and Dark Blue Gray with Light
Blue Gray undersides.

Plan view of aircraft 704 showing the wing

roundels positioned at the tips.

MORKO (WEREWOLF) MORAANI, HLeLv 28, FINNISH

AIR FORCE, LUONETJARVI, FINLAND, 1944
The installation of a more powerful Soviet
Klimov M-105P engine gave the Finnish 406s
much better performance against the improved
generation of Soviet fighters which appeared
from 1943. This aircraft has the post-Armistice
roundel which replaced the swastika marking
after September 1944.
42
SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE_
Fighter; engines and armaments varied through 32 marks (24 Spitfire, 8 Seafire); 20, 351 Spitfires and 2556 Seafires manufactured (the
Seafire was a carrier-based version of the Spitfire); the Spitfire fought on every front and finally retired from service on 1st April 1954.

Mk 1,19 SQUADRON, RAF DUXFORD, UK, OCTOBER 1938

One of the first raf Spitfires delivered,
carrying the soon-to-be-deleted unit number on
the fin. The camouflage is Dark Green, Dark
Earth disruptive pattern. The plane displays
56in upper-surface wing roundels, 35in Type
A1 fuselage roundels and 50in underwing
roundels.

Mk lib, 306 (POLISH) SQUADRON, RAF NORTHOLT, UK, AUGUST 1941

This was the month Fighter Command
changed its colors from Dark Green, Dark
Earth to Dark Green, Ocean Gray to
reflect offensive operations which were
getting underway at that time. Medium Sea
Gray is now painted on the undersides. The
badge on the nose is of the Polish Torunski unit.

Mk Vb, 40 SQUADRON. SOUTH AFRICAN AIR FORCE, ITALY, AUGUST 1943

Dark Earth and Middle Stone with Azure Blue
undersides was a scheme found to be ideal
in the Middle East. This machine has an
Aboukir tropical filter under the nose and a
camera port in the rear fuselage.
Mk Vc, 308th FIGHTER SQUADRON, 31st FG, USAAF, TUNISIA, 1943
Another variation of the ME scheme on an
aircraft deployed for the Torch landings in
North Africa. Note the different type of
tropical sand filter under the nose compared
with the previous machine.

Mk IX, 402 SQUADRON, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE, KENLEY, UK, 1943
Fighter Command’s day fighter scheme for the
mid-war years. For quick identification in
combat, the Sky spinner and fuselage band
were supplemented by yellow leading edges to
the wings. Unit badge under cockpit.

Mk 22, 603 (CITY OF EDINBURGH) SQUADRON, R AUX AF, TURNHOUSE, UK, 1950
Post-war the raf promulgated an order for a
return to the silver finish of pre-1939. This unit
was initially allocated RAF codes, but these
were later changed to XT when the unit
transferred from Reserve status to
Fighter Command; “Q” is the
individual aircraft letter.
44
MESSERSCHMITT Bf 110
Fighter; twin engined and conceived by the Luftwaffe as the long-range element of its fighter arm but proved unable to hold its own
against single seat fighters; performed far more effectively as a night-fighter; 6,050 were built.

Bf 110C-2, STAB I/ZG 2, LUFTWAFFE, DARMSTADT-GRIESHEIM,

GERMANY, APRIL 1940
Shown just before the May 1940 assault on France,
this 'Zerstorer' has the early style
fuselage cross over the dark green paint
scheme. Two ‘kill’ markings appear
on the fin and on the nose is the
unit’s blue lightning flash
outlined in white.

Bf 110D-3,1/NACHTJAGDGESCHWADER 3, LUFTWAFFE,
CATANIA, SICILY, FEBRUARY 1941
This Mediterranean-based unit was formed
from LGl and retained the LI code
on its black-painted night
fighters. The unit emblem
normally applied on the
nose and obscured by
the engine in this view consisted
of an owl sitting on a moon.

Bf 110E-1, OPERATIONAL CONVERSION UNIT, LUFTWAFFE,

DEBLIN-IRENA, POLAND, 1942
A large wolf’s head painted on the nose and
the unit code 4M have failed to identify the
number of this OCU. The aircraft was a
fighter-bomber version carrying
standard Hellblau under¬
surface coloring with
probably Schwarzgriin.
Dunkelgriin over the top
surfaces.
 LOCKHEED HUDSON 45

Medium-range reconnaissance/bomber; designed to an RAF Coastal Command requirement, it was derived from the Super-Electra liner
to which was added a bomb-bay, gun turret, forward firing guns in the nose and other military equipment; 2584 were built.

A-29, US ARMY AIR CORPS, EARLY 1942

Built for the raf as a Hudson Mk III A but
repossessed by usaac for ASW patrols.
British Dark Green, Dark Earth camouflage
was retained. The Red in the star was
removed from May 1942 after the US
entered World War II. The raf black serial
was retained under the tail.

Mk V, 48 SQUADRON, RAF STORNOWAY, SCOTLAND, 1941

This Temperate Sea Scheme was ordered for
all Hudsons and other raf Coastal Command
landplanes. Night (matt Black) undersides . ' »*-•
were carried for nocturnal bombing
missions Note the earlier roundels and j , .
rudder stripes compared with these on
OS-T below.

Mk VI, RAF, 1943

An uncoded Hudson armed with underwing
rockets. This weapon was used successfully
by aircraft of 608 Sqn against U-boats in
the Mediterranean.
 DOUGLAS A-20 BOSTON
Bomber; the prototype first flew in August 1939 and France was the first overseas customer; the DB-7 had a respect¬
able top speed of 314 mph: for the night intruder and fighter role, was known as the Havoc; 7385 were produced.

DB-7B, CROUPE DE BOMBARDEMENT 1/19. ARMEE-DE-L'AIR DE L’ARMISTICE, BLIDA, ALGERIA. AUTUMN 1940
The 24th production aircraft, this DB-7 carries
the early special marking applied at this time
to all Vichy-operated aircraft: a
white horizontal stripe along
the fuselage and a white
outer circle to the fuselage
roundel. Camouflage was
Dark Green. Light Earth and
Blue-Gray upper surfaces with Light
Blue-Grav undersides.

HAVOC Mk 1, 23 SQUADRON, RAF, FORD, UK, APRIL 1941

Operated on intruder sorties from the south of England.
BD112 is finished in overall Special Night RDM 2A (black)
with Skv Gray codes and Dull Red serial. Fuselage
roundel is a Type Al. while
above the wings thev were
Type B

A-20B, 47th BOMB GROUP, USAAF, SOUK-EL-ARBA, TUNISIA,

Desert Sand was the official camouflage for
usaak aircraft in this theater, and this pristine

example contrasts with many which had various

combinations of Olive Drab. Dark Green and
Brown schemes. The large
tail numbers were sometimes
hand-painted crudely.
 CONSOLIDATED PBY CATALINA
Flying-boat patrol/bomber; long endurance was the main requirement for this fine twin-engined flying boat; served reliably throughout
World War II in almost every theater; main versions were the PBY-5.-5A and -6; 3,281 were built in the USA and Canada.

PBY-5,11 SQUADRON, ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR

FORCE, AUSTRALIA, 1942
Serialed A24-10, this early Catalina was one of
168 of all marks purchased for the raaf and
carries fuselage-mounted ASV aerials.
Individual aircraft letter D is applied
in black under the tailplane. Later
marks, known as Black (la Is
owing to their overall matt-black •»—
finish, operated in the mine-laying
role, sinking many tons of Japanese
shipping as far north as the China coast.

Mk IVA (JX574), 210 SQUADRON, RAF SULLOM

VOE, SHETLAND, UK, 1944
Late-war markings on one of 97 IVAs ordered
by the raf. Under the port wing of this
JXS74
aircraft is an ASV (Air-to-Surface Vessel)
aerial and under the starboard /Jff
side was a Leigh Light used for rnjMBHKmIgm
illuminating surface targets at
night. Standard Coastal
Command gray and white
camouflage with red-blue Type B
roundels above the wings.

PBY-6A, US NAVY, 1945-6

The last of the main marks of Catalina built,
this was one of the amphibious variants, with
a nosewheel tucked up in the forward hull
and the main undercarriage retracting to lie
flush in the fuselage sides. The -6A <_*_
incorporated a taller fin and ~
rudder and this patrol squadron ■ '
example also has ASV as well as a
nose machine gun.
 BOULTON PAUL DEFIANT
Night fighter; lack of forward armament proved a major weakness in daylight combat and true potential only realized when this
two-seater switched to night-fighting; the Defiant Mk I and II differed mainly in engine power, while the Mk III was used as a tug.

Mk I, 264 SQUADRON, RAF, KIRTON-IN-LINDSEY, UK, AUGUST 1940

Day fighter scheme of Dark Green and Dark Earth with
Sky undersurfaces. This machine (N1535) was flown
by the unit CO Sqn Ldr Philip Hunter who
with his gunner, Pit Off F.H. King,
were killed on the 24th of August
in an engagement with a Junkers Ju 88.
Fuselage markings are 30in high, Medium
Sea Gray Codes with 42in dia. roundels

Mk II, 151 SQUADRON, RAF WITTERING, UK, 1942

Special Night Finish was the overall black color
specified for application to raf aircraft
from the beginning of 1941. Codes were
Dull Red and the Type C.l
roundel with 24in square fin
flash date the scheme from
mid 1942. Of the 14 squadrons
with Defiant night fighters,
four only were fully equipped with the
Mk II version.

TT.II, TARGET FACILITIES UNIT, RAF, 1943

With the withdrawal of the Defiant from front-line units,
the type was developed for secondary
duties such as target towing. This
example, operated by an unknown
unit displays the standard black
and yellow scheme for this role.
The tropical filter under the nose
indicates a Middle Eastern base.
_JUNKERS Tu 88_
Bomber/night-fighter/reconnaissance; the most versatile of all Germany’s 1939-45 airplanes; the Ju88 VI first flew in December 1936
and production aircraft joined the first unit early in 1939; nearly 15,000 had been built by the end of the war.

Ju 88A-5, III/LEHRGESCHWADER 1, X FLIEGERKORPS, LUFTWAFFE, SICILY, 1941

Standard finish for bombers of this period
before improvization by the units took hold
and more disruptive schemes appeared.
LGl operated from Catania, mainly

Ju 88A-10, II/LEHRGESCHWADER 1,
LUFTWAFFE, CRETE, OCTOBER 1942
Hastily redeployed from North African
operations to anti-shipping duties
in Crete, this tropicalized version —
of the A-5 bomber retains
its desert camouflage until
an extended maintenance
check is needed and a
more appropriate color
scheme can be applied

Ju 88G-7a, IV/NACHTJAGDGESCHWADER 6, LUFTWAFFE, SCHWABISCH HALL

GERMANY, 1944-5
A light gray finish was ,
adopted by Luftwaffe tUTT—THdry.
night fighters. Markings—.jo——» XdTdS.. jiJBfr ii±w ■ * tests': '.'.rr
were usually black or ]&$!$%/ ill } 1 I at —'
dark gray and on this ~ ■ m-’"w—"
aircraft the tail has been '■ JttBt 31 A
painted to resemble flBjg WJKKMKRMUf

that of the lower perfor- \ t \

-f *
50
FIAT CR.42
Fighter: probably the best of the biplane fighters but it stood little chance against faster, more heavily armed monoplanes such as the
Hurricane; it was ordered by Belgium, Hungary and Sweden as well as the Regia Aeronautica and production totalled 1781.^^B

CR.42, 83 SQUADRIGLIA, 18 GRUPPO, 3 STORMO, LIBYA

EARLY 1941
Dark Green and Red-Brown over the Yellow Ocher was
another desert scheme used on Italian fighters, and it
was retained by this unit during its brief series of igjfg
operations in 1940 against the UK when based in fljtl
Belgium. A Cmdte pennant is painted under the
cockpit, and the dark stripe on the rear fuselage is an
overpainted white marking used in Belgium.

CR.42, 377 SQUADRIGLIA AUTONOMA, REGIA

AERONAUTICA, PALERMO, SICILY, MID 1942
Night-fighter operations to combat raf raids
were first attempted in Sicily in October 1941.
but success was limited. Farther north, other
aircraft achieved more against the attacks on
Italy’s industrial heartland. The unit insignia
was an owl on a new moon.

*£2

teGT;/:
\/-c
CR.42,1/4 SQUADRON, 1/11 GROUP, 1st FIGHTER
REGIMENT, ROYAL HUNGARIAN AIR FORCE,
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY, 1941
One of the 50 aircraft exported to Hungary
and used in the Eastern Front War against the
Russians, mainly in the ground-attack role. On
the fuselage side is the Squadron's St George insignia.
 MITSUBISHI A6 ZERO-SEN 51

Carrier-based fighter; heavily involved in the 7 December 194-1 raid on Pearl Harbor; marks were also known as Reisen or Zeke and the
A6M3 as Hamp, however, to most people it was known as the Zero; 10,450 were built by the war’s end.

A6M2, AIRCRAFT CARRIER HIRYV, IMPERIAL JAPANESE NAVY, PEARL HARBOR, DECEMBER 1941
This machine was part of the attacking force
on the “day of infamy.” Overall scheme was i|*^»
Light Gray (N10), with blue signifying the _
Second Air Division, the two stripes ^BjWES: " | “
mmm
indicating the second ship. The tail code t
aKMsa ii
I
* Jmkk.
B11 also meant the same (B-2nd
AD, II — 2nd ship).
i 4
ig|g
i»:- - w

A6M2, 402nd SQUADRON, 341st AIR CORPS, IMPERIAL

JAPANESE NAVY, CLARK FIELD, PHILIPPINES, 1944
With Black Green (Nl) upper surfaces and
Light Gray (N10) undersides, this aircraft >*'?
typified the general appearance of Zeros
during the Pacific war. On the wing *
leading edgi - is the stain lard yellow ifew,,-,-.
(Nl4) identification marking applied PlP
from 1943 to the end of 1944.

A6M3, 251st AIR CORPS, IMPERIAL JAPANESE NAVY,

FORMOSA, (TAIWAN), NOVEMBER 1942 .
This mottled scheme began to be adopted
toward the end of 1942. Almost all I|N
fli
11| radial-engined aircraft had their
entire engine cowlings painter]
semi-gloss black or mall black-gray ^ ’*
as an anti-glare measure.
52
BRISTOL BEAUFIGHTER
Long-range heavy fighter; four 20mm cannons in belly, six .303 in machine guns in wings; max speed of 321mph at 15,800 ft; the
Beaufighter used 75 per cent Beaufort bomber components and operated in most theaters in World War II, surviving until 1960.

Mk IF, 25 SQUADRON, RAF NORTH WEALD, UK, 1940

This aircraft carries standard day fighter
colors of Dark Green, Dark Earth and Sky
undersurfaces. It has 35in diameter
Type A1 fuselage roundels and 45in
diameter Type A underwing roundels.
25 Sqn was, with 29 Sqn, the first unit to
receive Beaufighters.

Mk II 307 (POLISH) SQUADRON, RAF

EXETER, UK, 1941
It has overall Special Night (RDM2)
matt black finish, dull Red codes,
serial and badge, 24X27in fin flash and
35in diameter fuselage roundel.

Mk TT10, 34 SQUADRON. RAF, 1950's

This final Beaufighter variant has a natural
metal finish. It was employed on anti-aircraft
cooperation duties, and the diagonal black
and yellow stripes on the undersides of
the wing denote its role as a target tug.
The last example was withdrawn from
service in 1960.
 GRUMMAN AVENGER
Torpedo-bomber; despite losing five of the six aircraft despatched during the battle of Midway in June 1942, survived in service b
become one of the outstanding torpedo bombers of World War II; greatly modified, it continued in use until the 1960s.

TBF-l, VT-8, US NAVY, MIDWAY, HAWAIIAN ISLANDS

USA, 4 JUNK 1942
One of the five aircraft shot down (luring the
Avenger's first comhat sortie. At this time _...~1

the colors were Non-specular Blue Gray over ’ f

all top surfaces and fuselage sides, with Non- j"
specular Light Gray on the undersurfaces. WMHHW

TBM-3, US NAVY, USS RANDOLPH (CV-15) M if m

TASK FORCE 58, EARLY 1944
Standard three-tone camouflage for the mid-
war period (see the Hellcat for colors), with
white stripes denoting the carrier and the
aircraft number on the fuselage and nose. As
an alternative to the single 22in torpedo,
the Avenger’s internal bomb-bay could ■**
carry up to 2,000lb of bombs or mines.

AVENGER Mk II, ROYAL NAVY, RNAS DONIBRISTLE,

UK, MID 1944
Invasion bands circle the fuselage and wings
of an aircraft with a fox head insignia under
the cockpit, but there is little else to identify
it apart from the partly obscured serial
JZ490 on the dorsal fin. The rn received *

more than 950 Avengers, calling them

Tarpons until January 1944.
54
HENSCHEL Hs 129
Tank buster; two Argus in-line engines, later unreliable Gnome-Rhone 14Ms; intended to replace the Ju 87D as a tank buster using light
bombs and a heavy caliber cannon but never achieved the reliability required; production terminated in 1944 after 866 had been built.

Hs 129B-1, 4./SCH.G.2, LUFTWAFFE. LIBYA, NOVEMBER 1942

This unit was formed in Poland in September
1942 with 12 machines. By the time it reached
North Africa its strength was reduced to
eight, of which half were unserviceable.
The fuselage marking indicates the
pilot was the Gruppe Technical
Officer.

Hs 129 upper surface view showing the sand

finish with sprayed blotches dark green to
provide a better camouflage for the scrub-
covered desert.

Hs 129B-3/Wa, 14.(PZ)/SG 9, LUFTWAFFE, EASTERN FRONT LATE 1944

Carrying the Geschwader Stab arrow
marking applied over the earlier radio
call sign, this aircraft also has a small
Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen
badge on the center fuselage.
SG 9 pioneered the use of the
large 75mm PaK 40 cannon
fitted under gg
the fuselage,
ji
ill
CURTISS HAWK 55

Fighter; replacing the air-cooled radial engine of the Hawk 75 with a liquid-cooled powerplant produced the Hawk 81 series
of famous P-40s and RAF-operated Tomahawks which were sluggish in performance but extremely rugged. j

HAWK 81A-2, 3rd PURSUIT SQUADRON, AVG, KUNMING, CHINA,

SPRING 1942 j
Popularly called “The Flying Tigers,"
the AVG P-40s carried Chinese Air. «
Force insignia on the wings j
and sported sharks teeth I-—.-.
around the engine intake. «
This is Charles Older's aircraft
which has 10 victory flags, the A^nrjriOr (CoW
“Hell's Angel” marking and the Flying .ri?
Tiger emblem on the side.

KITTYHAWK Mk 1,112 SQUADRON, RAF LG 91, NORTH AFRICA, LATE 1942

Fig Off Neville Duke’s aircraft with white
codes and early style roundel. Duke became
the top-scoring Allied pilot in the
Mediterranean theater and alter ^
the war joined Hawker mum
Airr.ralt as Gliurt Ti'.sl Pilot. -uB

P-40E WARHAWK, 11th SQUADRON, 343rd FIGHTER GROUP

USAAF, ALEUTIANS, NORTHERN PACIFIC, 1942
Olive Drab and Neutral Gray with a white
spinner and unit stripe on an aircraft
operating in one of the most |jpP^f
inhospitable areas of the €
world. The nose marking ;
was known as the “Aleutian
Tiger" as a tribute to Claire ■ Wjtp
56
BLOHM UND VOSS Bv 138
Reconnaissance, SAR, mine-sweeping, anti-shipping flying boat; nicknamed the 'flying clog' by the Luftwaffe because of the shape of the
central hull, the 3-engined Bvl38 was a remarkably efficient flying boat; the ‘C’ was the major production type; production totaled 279.

C-l, 2./KUSTENFLIEGERGRUPPEN 406, LUFTWAFFE, NORWAY, 1942

The standard finish on flying-boats reflected
the general Luftwaffe color scheme, that of
Dunkelgriin (dark green), Schwartzgriin
(black-green) with Hellblau (clear blue)
undersides. This example was employed
against the Arctic Convoy PQ 13 taking war
supplies to the Soviet Union.

C-l/Ul, l.(F)/SAGr 130, LUFTWAFFE, TRONDHEIM

NORWAY, APRIL 1944
During operations in the Arctic Ocean aircraft
were often given a random application of
white paint to enable them to merge better
with the ice floes on reconnaissance missions.
The aircraft were refuelled from U-boats to
extend their range.

MS (MINENSUCHE), 6./MSGr.l. LUFTWAFFE, GROSSENBRODE.

BALTIC SEA, 1944-5
Dubbed the Mouse-catching aircraft owing to
the circular de-gaussing ring for mine
sweeping, these modified machines had the
auxiliary motor for energizing the ring
mounted in place of the front turret.
 57
SHORT SUNDERLAND
Long-range maritime reconnaissance flying boat; powered by Bristol Pegasus engines, later Pratt & Whitney Twin Wasps (for Mark V);
had up to 12 machine guns in addition to bombs and depth charges; 752 were manufactured including 31 Mark IVs (called Seafords)

Mk I, 230 SQUADRON, RAF, SUDA BAY, 1940

This aircraft operated with raf Coastal
Command and was the first unit to fly the
type, camouflaged for over-water use in Dark
Slate Gray and Extra Dark Sea ,
Gray with Sk\ undersurfaces.
The serial and codes are —' ! I JjiL Av-tHM
in light gray. ■■HH

Mk IV, 35 SQUADRON, SOUTH AFRICAN

AIRFORCE, 1945
Based at Durban in South Africa, which
received its first Sunderlands in 1945,
this aircraft retains its late-
war white finish on its — --
undersurfaces and sides. ' ,
The top was painted
Dark Green.
“_BREWSTER BUFFALO_
Fighter; the US Navy's first shipborne fighter monoplane; flown in prototype in 1937 and clearly superior to the biplanes it replaced this
tubby design was shown by the experience of Midway to be no match for the Japanese Zeros.

F2A-2, VF-2 “FLYING CHIEFS.” US NAVY,

USS LEXINGTON, MARCH 1941
While Europe was fighting it out, America's
armed forces still maintained their peacetime
appearances, as shown by this machine. It
was painted with two different yellows:
glossy chrome above the upper wing
surfaces and lemon yellow on the
cowling, fuselage and tail unit -
the latter denoting Lexington.

F2A-3, VMF-221, US MARINE CORPS, EWA, HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. MID-1942

Part of the defenses of Pearl Harbor, this unit
removed the red circle in the star and the
rudder striping on 15 May 1942. The
camouflage was Non-Specular Blue
Gray and Light Gray.
_DOUGLAS DAUNTLESS_
Carrier-based dive-bomber; developed in the mid-1930s for US Navy; relatively slow and outmoded when it began its combat career
in 1942, it was rugged and dependable and on giving way to the Helldiver had sunk more Japanese ships than any other aircraft

SBD-1, VMSB-232 (EX-VMB-2), US MARINE CORPS

AIR GROUP 21, HAWAIIAN ISLANDS,
DECEMBER 1941
When the Japanese struck Oahu on 7 December 1941
they caught the Dauntlesses of Marine Air ’ ■■

Group 21 on the ground and badly § .

battered them. At the time these-early —f

SBD-ls were finished in the Non- —i
Specular Light Gray as directed
by a 30 December 1940 order. - -1—j

SBD-4, VMSB-243,1st MARINE

AIR WING, MUNDA, NEW
GEORGIA, SOLOMON ISLANDS,
AUGUST 1943
Wearing the short-lived red-
bordered insignia, this Marine
aircraft carries a 500lb 'calling
card' under the fuselage.

A-24B GROUPE DE CHASSE-BOMBARDEMENT

(GCB) 1/18 “VENDEE,” VANNES gfBgpi
FRANCE, NOV 1944
Olive Drab and Neutral Gray
colors overpainted with
invasion stripes and, in this case,
a large Free French Cross of
Lorraine.
 NAKAJIMA Ki-49 DONRYU
Heavy bomber; under-powered bomber operated by the Japanese Army Air Force; defensive armament consisted of 12 ,7mm machine
guns in nose, tail, ventral and beam positions, plus a single 20mm cannon in the dorsal position; more than 800 were built.

Ki 49-1, JAPANESE ARMY AIR FORCE, CHINA, EARLY 1944

An aircraft of an unknown unit in
segmented green and brown
over the top surfaces, with light
gray undersides. This scheme
was also used on a number of
aircraft operating in the Pacific.

Ki 49-II-KO, 3rd CHUTAI, 61st SENTAI, JAAF,

PACIFIC AREA, 1944
An aircraft in one of the standard color
schemes used by the jaaf. The tail
symbol in the Chutai color is an
abstract representation of the
Arabic numerals “61.”

Ki 49-II-KO, 1st CHUTAI, 7th SENTAI, JAAF,

NEW GUINEA, 1943
A finely executed dark green ribbon
camouflage applied over a light gray
base color. This scheme is similar
to the “wave mirror” finishes
sprayed on anti-shipping
Ju 88s of the Luftwaffe.
 MACCHI M.C.205 61

Fighter; the MC 202 ‘Folgore’ (Lightning) was a major advance in fighter performance for the Regia Aeronautica; German
gave them a machine capable of outperforming Allied fighters such as the Hurricane; from this was developed the MC 205.
I

M.C.205, 88 SQUADRIGLIA, 1 STORMO, SICILY, EARLY 1943

To update the air defense of Sicily, the 1st
Stormo received the best fighter the industry
could produce when, in February
1943, Veltros arrived. They were
finished in a scheme of
green mottle on Sand
with Gray undersides
and the standard white
theater fuselage band and white
spinner.

M.C.205 III SERIES, 1 SQUADRIGLIA, 1 GRUPPO, ANR,

REGGIO NELL’ EMILIA, ITALY, 1944
Aircraft 16 of the unit carries a mottled finish
similar to that used on the Luftwaffe fighters
toward the end of the war,
namely Brown Violet (81)
Blue Green (83) over
Light Gray. On the
nose is the Ace of Clubs
badge and the spinner is
segmented white and black.

M.C.205 III SERIES, 155 GRUPPO, 51 STORMO, CO-BELLIGERENT

AIR FORCE, LECCE-GALATINA, ITALY, 1944
A roundel in the Italian national colors was
the obvious choice for aircraft flown
with the Allies. Existing
camouflage was retained,
as were the famous unit
badges such as the Cat
and Mouse marking on
the fin.
“_B-24 LIBERATOR_
Bomber; bomb carrying capacity of 8000lb; top speed of 300mph at 30,000ft; 18,482 manufactured across nine major variations; its
2000-mile range made the Liberator much sought after, and the most manufactured American World War II plane.

B-24D, 93rd BOMB GROUP, USAAF, HARDWICK, UK, 1943

Standard Olive Drab and Neutral Gray finish
with the short-lived red-outline to the national
insignia, individual aircraft letter (N) on the
lower fin and group symbol above,
overlapping on to the rudder. This
was the oldest B-24 Group in the 8th
AF and flew more missions than any
other unit. After the war the unit flew
the B-29, B-47 and, more recently, the B-52.

B-24D-90, 491st BOMB GROUP, USAAF, NORTH PICKENHAM, UK, AUTUMN 1944
To assist the huge 8th AF bomber formations
to form up in the right order and position,
each group had a brightly-painted lead
ship on which the rest of the unit
would formate. This done, the lead
ship would head for home, leaving the
group to the mission. Little Cram per is
typical and. like most lead ships,
was a war-weary aircraft.

PB4Y-1, PATROL BOMBER SQUADRON VPB-110,

US NAVY, DEVON, UK, WINTER 1944
Anti-U-boat patrols over the Atlantic was one
of the tasks of these aircraft based
in the west of England. Colors
were non-specular Sea Blue on the
top surfaces, intermediate Blue on
the vertical surfaces with Insignia
White undersides.
 NORTH AMERICAN B-25
Bomber; first flew in August 1940 and was supplied to USAAF as well as allied air forces; widely known as the ‘Mitchell’, it was a
popular plane with pilots due to its docility; by the war’s end nearly 11,000 had been built.

Commonly known as “Desert pink,” the top

surface color applied to the early Mediterranean-
based Mitchells was officially called ...,
Desert Sand. However, the yellow / 1"''
pigment faded after —IP [ f_
prolonged exposure to /rHhTtB
sunlight, resulting
^ -? r > ■- ...is.,-—.
pinkish shade. The
undersides were Sky Blue.
The red-bordered “star and bar” was short-lived -
it was initiated in June 1943 and officially removed on
14 August 1943, the red being replaced by blue.

Mk II, 320 (NETHERLANDS) SQUADRON, 2 GROUP, RAF DUNSFOLD, UK, APRIL 1944
Very active during the run-up to D-Day in
June were the Bomber Command Mitchells of | ^ _|_
the Dutch units. This Dark Green, ,f - T—
Medium Gray example displays _jMk. 1 1 |!R
ii 11 ion ml ml
on the nose together A
. * laHaBKUjrWl'T a. " Airs'-' 1 ,/S#jSS

its crew’s nationality.

B-25J-32, 499th BOMB SQUADRON (MEDIUM), 345th BOMB GROUP,

USAAF, IE SHIMA, JULY 1945
“Bats Outa Hell” was one of a number of units
operating solid-nosed attack B-25s against the fSl
Japanese over Kyushu and the
Sea of Japan. The eight .50
caliber guns in the
nose and the i
fill thej %*?&%■■
the 111si■ l.iu'• side .•
produced a withering
hail of lead. T-^-*T-t-mar— - —
 _MITSUBISHI G4M BETTY’_
Bomber; the naval operated 'Betty' had a range of over 3,700 miles achieved by structural lightness and an almost total disregard for
armored protection; lack of armor was to prove its great weakness when Allied opposition increased later in the war.

G4M1, 705th KOKUTAI, IMPERIAL JAPANESE NAVY, RABAUL, 1943

Official orders covered the camouflaging of IJN
aircraft throughout the Pacific war. This
example carries a segment pattern of Dark
Green (N2), Medium-Brown (Nil) with
Light Gray (N10) undersurfaces. The
fuselage Hinomaru could be
applied on a white square
as here or with a 75mm
white surround. Unusually
this aircraft is devoid of the
yellow wing leading edge strip.

G4M1, 761st KOKUTAI, IMPERIAL JAPANESE NAVY, KANOYA, 1943

Apart from the black anti-glare panel in front
of the cockpit, this aircraft carries a Dark
Green overall finish. The first digit on the
fin indicates the basic mission of the
aircraft, in this case 3 shows it
to be a torpedo bomber.
Other included 1 = fighter,
2 = dive bomber
and 4 = trainer.

G4M1, TAKAO KOKUTAI, IMPERIAL JAPANESE NAVY, RABAUL, OCTOBER 1942

During the war, a Kokutai equated to a Group
formed of three Hikotai each equipped ned with
up to 24 aircraft; the Hikotai was thee !
equivalent of a squadron. This light-cc
-colored >
example is believed to have been
in natural metal finish with a
dark green mottle over the
top surfaces.
 LOCKHEED VENTURA
Bomber/reconnaissance; a heavier and more powerful version of the Hudson, the Ventura was known as B-34 in USAAF and PV-1 in US
Navy; with the RAF it failed as a daylight bomber over Europe and was withdrawn in mid-1943 after 394 had been delivered.

Mk II, 21 SQUADRON, RAF METHWOLD, UK, MID-1943

Losses forced raf Bomber Command to
withdraw the Ventura after only a year. In /Ti
service its colors were Dark Green, Dark
Earth and Sky with red codes and. ^gdSj • .*»ar,
on some aircraft, red serials. HyMB

PV-1, VB-135, US NAVY, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, 1944

The official us Navy camouflage for anti¬
submarine warfare aircraft during this period
was Gull Gray Dark (top surfaces),
Gull Gray Light (sides) and ^
Non-specular White
(undersides). The white serial iMiif-
is painted in an unusually
I non-standard style.

RB-34, ROYAL NEW ZEALAND AIR FORCE

WHENUAPAI, 1946
New Zealand received 143 Venturas
including 23 RB-34 Lexingtons xd
although these were not ir id
used on operations. As
ex-usAAF machines they were
finished in medium green and
neutral gray.
“_FOCKE-WULF Fw 190_
Fighter; considered one of the best of World War II; combined large air-cooled radial engine with a tapering fuselage structure; design
allowed development of variants for close air support (190F) and fighter-bomber (190G); more than 19,000 had been produced by 1945.

Fw 190A-5, II GRUPPE JAGDGESCHVVADER 54, PETSERI, ESTONIA, EARLY 1944

The famous “Grunherz" unit which saw
combat throughout the war, carried its
insignia on the fuselage of its
Bf 109s and, later, the Fw 190s.
Yellow Eastern Front
markings brightened the
dull two-tone green scheme
but tended to compromise the
overall camouflage effect.

Fw 190A-5/U8,1 GRUPPE SCHNELLKAMPFGESCHWADER (SKG) 10,

POIX, FRANCE, MID-1943
To cloak their tip-and-run. dawn/dusk,
low-level fighter-bomber attacks
on UK targets, these ]abo
"Butcher Birds" (Luftwaffe
slang for the Fw 190) were
given a coat of matt black paint
over all markings. Only a poorly
defined letter revealed the aircraft's
identity.

Fw-190A-8. II GRUPPE JAGDGESCHVVADER 4, BABENHAUSEN, GERMANY, 1945

During the last months of the war greens
and grays were the favored colors.
The triple bands are “Defense of
the Reich" markings applied
for quick identification and
were applied to aircraft
from 20 February 1945.
 GRUMMAN HELLCAT
Carrier-based fighter; the Hellcat finally wrested air superiority from the Zero during the Pacific war; a brutish, inelegant fighter the F6F-3s
armament comprised six .50 caliber wing-mounted machine guns; the later F6F-5 had provision for underwingordnance

F6F-3, VF-27, US NAVY, USS PRINCETOWN (CVL-23), MID-1944

This was the standard counter-shaded Navy
scheme comprising semi-gloss Sea Blue on the HH
upper surfaces, matt White undersides to
compromise between dark cloudy and , Jfjhy '
bright blue skies when viewed from , Iriirirryp' ' —
below, and Intermediate Blue on the
sides to blend the top and bottom colors. This
finish was retained until March 1944, when
Glossy Sea Blue overall was introduced. s-—

F6F-5, VF-12, US NAVY, USS RANDOLPH (CV-15), EARLY 1945

With Japan on the retreat across the Pacific,
US Navy combat aircraft received this Glossy
Sea Blue finish, and a range of markings was
introduced to identify the carriers from the
aircraft operated. White stripes on Hellcat , ,
65 denoted Randolph, and both wing
ailerons were also painted white.

HELLCAT Mk 1, 800 SQUADRON, ROYAL NAVY, HMS EMPEROR

MEDITERRANEAN, MID-1944
The kn received 252 F6F-3s as Mk Is and 800
Sqn was the first unit to equip, later taking 1
their aircraft to cover the invasion of the south i—
of France in August 1944. Camouflage u 1 |
under the invasion bands was Dark
Slate Gray and Extra Dark Sea Gray HH
with Sky undersides.
 DE HAVILLAND MOSQUITO
Fighter/bomber/reconnaissance; constructed of wood and developed initially as a fast, twin-engined, unarmed bomber;
two Merlin engines gave the MK IX a top speed of 397mph; fighter had 20mm cannon and four .303 machine guns.

B Mk IV, 105 SQUADRON, RAF, HORSHAM ST FAITH, UK, 1942

It has Dark Green, Ocean Gray, Medium Sea
Gray (undersurfaces) camouflage with Sky
spinners and fuselage band. The wing leading
edges are yellow for head-on
identification.

PR Mk XVI, 653rd BOMB SQUADRON (LIGHT), USAAF, WATTON, UK, 1944

This aircraft was used for weather recce
and visual coverage of target strikes. The Over 70 Mark XVls were
D-Day stripes were each 24in wide. acquired by the usaaf.
pru blue overall with
roundel blue spinners.

B Mk XVI, 571 SQUADRON, RAF

OAKINGTON, UK, 1944
It operated as part of 8 (Pathfinder Force)
Group Light Night Striking Force (later
renamed Fast Night Striking Force). The
bulged bay carried a 4,000lb bomb.
 MARTIN B-26 MARAUDER
Bomber; the Marauder was possibly the sleekest bomber of World War II, but it was plagued with problems and the USAAF
nearly canceled it; powered by two Pratt & Whitney Double Wasp engines; 5157 were built before it was withdrawn in 1948,

B-26B, 598th SQUADRON, 397th BOMB GROUP, 9th AIR FORCE, USAAF, DREUX, FRANCE, 1944
A Natural metal or silver finish with original
Olive Drab confined to the anti-glare panel on
nose and inboard engine cowlings, A 30in
star on a 33in Insignia Blue disk is
displayed on the fuselage. The Invasion TfUdeK
stripes, each officially 24in —
wide, are almost covered by the unit
code and national insignia.

Mk 1A, 14 SQUADRON, RAF FAYID, EGYPT, LATE 1942

Torpedo-armed, anti-shipping attacks were
flown by this unit. The desert camouflage
colors were Dark Earth, Middle Stone
with Azure Blue undersides. -
“Dominion Revenge” was the nose —
art motto carried under the cockpit. ..'"MiwJ

B-26B, 444th SQUADRON, 320th BOMB GROUP, USAAF, DECIMON ANNU, SARDINIA, 1944
Shark-nose markings were applied to all
aircraft of this unit during the last year of the nja
war. The yellow band under the tail was a I
group recognition marking while the I in ' - I. * '
carries a large “Battle Number" •», “'.Ca¬
used by the Americans in the , 1
Mediterranean theater. _
70
BELL P-39 AIRACOBRA
Fighter; turbo-supercharger engine; armament included a 37mm cannon firing through the propeller hub; 9588 manufactured; the
Airacobra was completely outfought by the Zero but was effective in the USSR as a low-level close-support fighter.

AIRACOBRA I, 601 "COUNTY OF LONDON" SQUADRON, RAF DUXFORD, UK, AUGUST 1941
After only a few disappointing months of
operations, the raf withdrew the Airacobra
from fighter sweeps over the Continent and
sent the remaining aircraft to the USSR.
Camouflage was Dark Green and “Mixed
Gray,” with Medium Sea Gray
undersides. In the white of
the fin flash is the 601
Sqn sword motif.

P-400, 67th FIGHTER SQUADRON, 347th FIGHTER GROUP, USAAF, NEW GUINEA, 1942
An ex-British ordered example complete with
black BW167 serial under the tail and
retaining the raf Dark Green and Dark Earth
camouflage. This unit also operated from
Guadalcanal, scoring its first victory
on 24 August 1942. The red disk
in the center of the star was
probably removed about this time.

P-39Q, V-VS (SOVIET AIR FORCE),

SOUTHERN SECTOR, EASTERN FRONT, USSR, 1944
Aircraft of Russian ace Major Alexander
Pokryshkin, who recorded his
victories in small red stars on
the nose cowling of his
aircraft. A total of 55 is shown.
 i
VOUGHT F4U CORSAIR 71

Fighter-bomber; most important naval fighter-bomber of World War II; early career plagued with problems but
came to be known to Japanese as ‘Whistling Death’; from May 1940 to January 1953 12581 were built.

CORSAIR 1,1835 SQUADRON, ROYAL NAVY,

BRUNSWICK, USA, LATE 1943
Camouflage for this early aircraft
was Ocean Gray and Dark Slate
Gray with Sky undersides.
JT172 has the “flat-top"
metal-reinforced canopy of the
F4U-1 and, not immediately obvious,
an 8in reduction of the wing tip to
allow stowage in the hanger decks of escort carriers.

F4U-2, VMF(N)-532, US MARINE CORPS, ROI ISLAND,

KWAJALEIN ATOLL, PACIFIC, 1944
A “flat-top” sports the Non-Specular
Sea Blue, Intermediate Blue and
Gull Gray finish with the
folding outer-wing panels in
the Intermediate Blue. These
land-based aircraft dispensed with
the tail hook. Night-fighting Corsairs
! also equipped VF(N)-75 on New
in the Solomon’s and VF(N)-101 aboard the USS Essex.

F4U-7, FLOTTILLE 12F, FRENCH NAVY (AERONAVALE), 1954

This variant was specifically designed
for French use in Indo-China and
incorporated extensive armor
plating for the attack role as
well as four 20mm wing-
mounted cannon and underwing
weapon pylons. Ninety-four were
built, and the French used the type
from its carriers and also operated attack
missions during the 1956 Suez crisis.
 PETLYAKOV PE-2
Light bomber, trainer and reconnaissance; 11,427 manufactured; the Pe-2 was prominent in repelling the German invasion of the USSR;
most widely used was the -2FT which incorporated modifications demanded by the front-line crews.

Pe-2FT, 34 GUARDS BOMBER AVIATION REGIMENT,

POLAND, AUGUST 1945
Many wartime aircraft, and not only Russian,
were paid for by members of the civilian
population. This aircraft was donated
by the people of Leningrad, the
inscription reads “Leningrad-Konigsberg.”

Pe-2FT, 3 DIVE BOMBER REGIMENT, 1st POLISH

COMPOSITE AIR CORPS, 1945
This was one of the three P3-2 equipped units
operational in the summer of 1945. Naturally,
red was a favored color, in most forms
of insignia among Eastern Bloc
air forces.

Pe-2, 46 BOMBER, AVIATION REGIMENT,

MOSCOW MILITARY DISTRICT, USSR, WINTER 1941
Like the Germans, the Soviet AF did its best
to conceal its dark-painted aircraft once the
snows came. A liberal coating of white paint
was applied over all top surfaces, but the
effect of airflow and general operational
wear and tear soon wore down the
covering to give this unkempt
appearance.

Pe-2FT, 73rd BOMBER AVIATION REGIMENT,

RED BANNER BALTIC FLEET, 1942
This aircraft has a distinctly worn appearance,
indicative of the intensive operations
flown by these light bombers at this
stage of the war. It was operating in
the Leningrad area at the time.
 LAGG-3 73

Fighter; overweight despite its wooden construction, the aircraft had just entered production when Germany invaded the USSR in 1941
at one stage 12 Lagg-3s were being completed daily and 6528 had been built when production ceased in autumn 1942.

LaGG-3, V-VS (RED BANNER BALTIC FLEET AIR FORCE), FINLAND, MARCH 1942
Finished in a disruptive scheme of green and
brown paint, this example was shot down ,/ b -
over Finland and found to have a thick n /» j
layer of polish to smooth the 'tpfcSWJWWMlJ ' ^4^.1
exterior surfaces. Three fl
examples were Liter ^:
ii jV ’Bpr'
Force as high-speed SIT '
reconnaissance aircraft. "

LaGG-3,178th REGIMENT, 6 FIGHTER AIR CORPS, MOSCOW, USSR, 1942-3

The Soviet Air Force had its share of aces,
such as Captain (later Colonel) Gerasim
Grigoryev, deputy CO of the unit. His white-
distempered winter-finish aircraft. ,ims*
shows 15 victory stars E 7 -

on the rear fuselage. * j PBMfe-

LaGG-3, 9th REGIMENT, BLACK SEA FLEET AIR FORCE, MAY 1944
An intricate lion’s head artwork on a red heart
was an unusual embellishment for aircraft
that were almost constantly on
operations, hut Yun Sin Inpov
or his gruundcrew
ollVIl mol \ I' 111 M11 I lie t1IMO ■ ,

cockpit _ .
74
LOCKHEED P-38 LIGHTNING_
Twin-engined-interceptor; twin-boom layout with central nacelle for the pilot, a battery of guns, a tricycle undercarriage and
turbochargers for the engines; early problems were resolved and it served with distinction on every US war front.

P-38F-5, 347th FIGHTER GROUP, 13th AIR FORCE, USAAF, GUADALCANAL, SOLOMON ISLANDS, 1943
The F was the first fully operational version to
enter service and when flown at its rated
altitude it could defeat most single seat
fighters. Shark-mouth markings on
this Olive Drab/Neutral Gray
aircraft brighten up an
otherwise standard color
scheme for the period.

P-38J, 338th FIGHTER SQUADRON, 55th FIGHTER GROUP, 8th AIR FORCE, NUTHAMPSTEAD, UK, SPRING 1944
Standard ETO scheme on an aircraft used for
fighter escort duties during the American
daylight bomber offensive over Europe. A
point of interest is that this unit had
apparently ignored the usaaf
order that yellow and white
checkerboard markings
were to be applied to
spinners and engine
cowlings from March 1944.

P-381, 401st FIGHTER SQUADRON, 370th FIGHTER GROUP, FLORENNES, BELGIUM, NOVEMBER 1944
Part of the 9th Air Force, this group carried
geometric symbols on the outer surfaces of its
aircrafts’ tails - triangle for 401st, circle
for 402nd and square for 485th -
with the aircraft letter
painted on the inside
surface (in this case “N”).
The unit coverted to P-51s
in 1945.
 NORTH AMERICAN P-51
Fighter; the Mustang was a triumph of design simplicity taking only 117 days for the prototype to be produced; 800 Mustang Is with
Allison engines were delivered to the RAF before the Rolls-Royce Merlin was adopted and the aircraft found its true worth.

Mk 1,16 SQUADRON, RAF WESTON ZOYLAND, UK, 1942

Mixed Gray was applied over the Dark Earth
from July 1942, reflecting the over-water
offensive operations that were starting to .
increase dramatically. Sea Gray SSfr**”*"' '•
Medium then replaced the Sky _____
undersides.

F-6A, 225 SQUADRON, RAF, TUNISIA, 1943

One of four usaaf aircraft borrowed by the
Royal Air Force for tactical reconnaissance
duties and given unit codes over the
desert camouflage, but no serial
number.

P-51A, 1st AIR COMMANDO GROUP BURMA, 1944

Flown by Col Philip Cochrane, Commander of
the 1st ACG, the aircraft carries the
standard identification stripes applied ...
to all ACG-flown machines. On the
rear fuselage is a direction-finding ;■
76
AVRO LANCASTER
Heavy bomber; developed from the Avro Manchester, it was the most successful heavy bomber of World War II; with four Merlin
engines it could lift bomb loads of up to 22,000lbs; production totalled 7,374 and it continued in RAF service until 1956.

PROTOTYPE LANCASTER, AEROPLANE AND

ARMAMENT EXPERIMENTAL
ESTABLISHMENT, UK, 1941
This aircraft, which first
flew on 9 January 1941, has
a Type Al fuselage roundel,
a black serial and yellow
undersurfaces denoting its
non-operational function.

“PICCADILLY PRINCESS,” B Mk I, 424

(TIGER) SQUADRON, ROYAL CANADIAN
AIR FORCE, SKIPTON-
ON-SWALE, UK, 1945
It has, rather unusually,
light blue codes with the
Type Cl roundel. Nose
art was a particular
feature of Canadian-
operated aircraft.

B Mk III, 617 SQUADRON, RAF CONINGSBY, UK, 1943

This aircraft is specially modified for the
attack of the Mohner, Eder and Sorpe
Dams. It has the standard
Dark Red codes and serial
(note G = Guard suffix). The
mid-upper turret has
been deleted and the
bomb-bay cut away.
 77

B Mk VI, 635 SQUADRON,

RAF, DOWNHAM MARKET, UK, 1944
This late Lancaster version
had increased performance
for Pathfinder duties and
carried radar jamming
devices. Note the absense
of nose and mid¬
upper turrets.

B Mk I (SPECIAL), 617 SQUADRON, RAF WOODHALL SPA, UK, 1945

Shown here camouflaged for daylight
operations with Type C roundels
above and below the wings.
It is shown carrying a
“Grand Slam” bomb.

B Mk VIII, 9 SQUADRON, RAF, INDIA, 1946

White upper surfaces were ordered in
February 1945 for “Tiger Force”
aircraft destined for the
war against Japan. The
surrender took place
before the aircraft began
operations.
 78
ILYUSHIN 11-2
Ground-attack fighter-bomber; built in greater numbers than any other combat aircraft, it was the outstanding ground-attack machine of
World War II; carrying 13001b of bombs and rockets, it could survive considerable damage; production reached nearly 38,000,

Il-2m3, V-VS (SOVIET AIR FORCE), EASTERN FRONT, 1944-5

Inscriptions were often applied to Soviet-
operated aircraft during WWII, some relating
to individuals, some hailing the virtues of the
Motherland, while many were just propaganda
slogans crudely painted on the fuselage.
This is "The Avenger." The white
fin and rudder markings denote
the unit, which is unknown.

Il-2m3, V-VS (SOVIET AIR FORCE), EASTERN FRONT, USSR, 1944-5

The significance of the three white fuselage
bands and the yellow rudder is unknown,
although they probably related to the
Regiment to which the machine was
attached. Such was the protection
afforded by the armoured “bath"
surrounding the engine and
cockpit that even 20mm cannon
shells often failed to penetrate it.

Il-2m3, V-VS (SOVIET AIR FORCE), STALINGRAD, USSR,

FEBRUARY 1943
A temporary white distemper was often
applied during the winter months to
aircraft of both sides. Rear
defensive armament comprised a
single 12.7mm MG, while in the
wings of later production aircraft heavy
37mm cannons were fitted, capable of knocking
out even the heavily armored Tiger tanks of the German Panzer units.
 NORTH AMERICAN HARVARD
Trainer; by far the most important training aircraft of World War II; more than 20,000 manufactured in US and under license abroad;
called BC-1, AT-6, and T-6 Texan in US service, whilst in Britain and Commonwealth countries it was called the Harvard.

Mk 1, No 2 FLYING TRAINING SCHOOL, ROYAL AIR FORCE, 1939-40

The standard trainer scheme used from 1938
through the opening stages of World War II.
Markings include the 2 FTS badge below the
cockpit and the gas patch applied over the
rear fuselage (designed to change color should
the aircraft fly through a gas cloud).

Mk II, No. 2 WIRELESS SCHOOL, ROYAL

CANADIAN AIR FORCE, 1942
The serial number indicates that this aircraft
was originally destined for the raf, but was
diverted to Canada for training use.

AT-6A, ROYAL SWEDISH AIR FORCE, EARLY 1950s

Sweden bought a number of surplus ex-
USAAF Texans after WWII, giving them the
designation Sk 14A. These remained in service
until the early 1970s. Dayglo patches ensured
a higher degree of visibility for training use.
 80
REPUBLIC P-47
3r; a large and rather ugly aircraft compared with the Spitfire, the Thunderbolt soon proved itself in combat; from its firs
in May 1941 to final delivery in September 1945 some 15,660 were built. A

P-47D-20-RA, 19th FIGHTER SQUADRON, 318th FIGHTER GROUP

USAAF, SAIPAN, MARIANAS, JULY 1944
The personal aircraft of Maj Henry
McAtee, "Miss Marv Lou" carries
four victory marks in the form j A/ll5S
of Japanese flans under the M0f9i f/IHI
cockpit. The unit had natural ™ 1
metal cowlings and tails to
distinguish its aircraft, the white
letter C being the identity letter of
this particular machine.

P-47D-25-RE, 352nd FIGHTER SQUADRON, 353rd FIGHTER GROUP

USAAF, RAYDON, UK, JULY 1944
To^iuwwcMpl^in^of^ l^ek ol

P-47D-25-RE, 1 GRUPO DE CACA, BRAZILIAN AIR FORCE, TARQUINIA, ITALY, NOVEMBER 1944
This unit formed the fourth squadron attached ..
to the 350th FG, the last of the 12th AF “Jug” V ' .
(short for Juggernaut) units to form in the
Mediterranean Iheatei Maimed l)\ .
Brazilians, it used ( Hive Drab Bf1 ''";■ .7 j
Neutiai AjHr A A
marking
applied uver the US v ersinn. unit ■- .,
badge and 3()in liigh recognition code .
on the engine cowling. ™ LIM1*
 81

P-47D-30-RA, 366th FIGHTER SQUADRON, 358th FIGHTER GROUP, USAAF, TOUL, FRANCE, 1944
Shown following its transfer to the 1st
Tactical Air Force, this aircraft has the ■
letter/number code (1A), the 1st TAF 18in red \
cowl and the orange tail unit. The
1433 240
dorsal fin fillet (introduced on the
D-40 version and retrofitted)
reduced a tail flutter problem ^
associated with the loss of the
original “razorback” fuselage.

P-47D, 86th FIGHTER SQUADRON, 79th FIGHTER GROUP, USAAF, FANO, ITALY, FEBRUARY 1945
Receiving its first P-47s in March 1944, this
unit adopted the coding system used \
previously on its P-40s. Sometimes as a _U— Hna
prefix, as here, or as a suffix, the __
letter X and a number provided —f' I - IT j
quick identification of the ■_ ! - <a:J ^ JL
unit in the air. enhanced by '‘“"""Er I Wdi
the lightning insignia on the tail and ."-I*'

I I iv ." 111 - I 111 |. Ill' I I"|. Old ill "I 9 I | [• *■*•*' , .

the canopy was in Olive Drab. '

P-47M-1, 63rd FIGHTER SQUADRON, 56th FIGHTER GROUP, USAAF, BOXTED, UK, SPRING 1945
The fastest production “Jug” of all was the M
with a top speed of 473mph at 32,000ft. The SlFT*S*^r***~
56lh was the Iasi P-47-equipped unit inlhe 8th ^ \
 DOUGLAS A-26 INVADER
Bomber; entered service in the last year of World War II; it was found to be fast and capable of carrying twice the spec!
fied bomb load and a range of gun armaments could be fitted to produce a formidable ground attack aircraft.

A-26B-15-DT, 552nd BOMB SQUADRON, 386th BOMB GROUP, 9th USAAF

BEAUMONT-SUR-OISE, FRANCE, APRIL 1945
“Stinky" is a natural metal-finished aircraft
with black squadron codes (RG) and jSBm
individual letter (A). Above the serial is the
Group identity band which had E—
prev iously been used when J, , _ <
the unit operated li 20 " 'S>i

The garish nose-art of "Stinky" is seen to full effect in this

head-on view. To reduce glare from the engines, which
were almost on a level with the pilot's eyes, the inboard
surfaces of the cowlings were sprayed Olive Drab.

A-26B-55-DL, MISSOURI AIR NATIONAL GUARD, USAF, 1946

Built as a B but fitted with a C nose, this all- --*
black intruder was one of a number ^
of aircraft flown by the 180th and ..40**
110th Bomb Sqn. They were
retained in service until 1957

B-26C, GB 2/91, FRENCH AIR FORCE, ALGERIA, LATE 1950s

Numbers of surplus usaf Invaders were
supplied to the French for use in Indo-China
and Algeria. Some were unpainted; others, like
this example, retained the black night-intruder —
scheme but with the added white
fuselage top to help reduce high ~
temperatures in the cabin. feaiB^gE... ,v4v|Slj
_BLACKBURN FIREBRAND_
Torpedo bomber: spent most of the 1939-45 war on trials and only reached squadrons in 1945; intended to have the Sabre engine but
these were all allocated to the Hawker Typhoon and so the Centaurus was used; 225 aircraft of all marks were built.

TF Mk 5. ROYAL NAVY FLEET AIR ARM, 1946

Wartime camouflage is seen here on a
post-war Firebrand. The scheme is
Dark Slate Gray and Extra
Dark Sea Gray with 18in
diameter fuselage roundels.
This aircraft was
scrapped in 1965.

TF Mk 4, 813 SQUADRON, ROYAL NAVY FLEET AIR ARM, 1950

Based at Lee-on-Solent. this aircraft
carries an 18in torpedo on the
centerline weapon pylon. At
the rear of the torpedo is a
directional stabilizing
assembly which was released
when the weapon entered the water.
 _BOEING B-29 SUPER-FORTRESS_
Heavy bomber; first flew in September 1942 and became USAAF's major weapon against Japan’s war industry; bomb load 10 tons and
defensive armament in remote-controled positions totaled 10 ,50in MGs and one 20mm cannon; dropped atomic bombs on Japan.

B-29-1-BW, 468th BOMB GROUP, 58th BOMB WING (VERY HEAVY), USAAF, INDIA, NOVEMBER 1944
Only very early aircraft were delivered in
Olive Drab/Neutral Gray camouflage, this
machine being the 29th production
Superfortress. Stripped of arnament it was
used to transport fuel from India to China -
hence the name “Esso Express” and the 30
camel-shaped mission symbols
on the nose.

B-29-45-BW, 500th BOMB GROUP, 73rd BOMB WING, USAAF, PACIFIC, 1945
“Z” on the tail indicates the group, the black
bar on the dorsal fin is a “lead crew" flash and
the green fuselage band is believed
to be a squadron indicator.

RB-29A-45-BN, 91st STRATEGIC RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON, OKINAWA, JAPAN, 1953

A reconnaissance Superfortress flew the last
B-29 mission of the Korean War on 27 July
1953. Over the three years only 16 B-29s
were lost to North Korean
fighters, four to AA fire
and 14 to other operational
causes: not bad for a 10-
year-old bomber up against
 LOCKHEED NEPTUNE
Maritime patrol and reconnaissance; prototype first flew in May 1945; seven major variants with production reaching 1051; late
production aircraft had their piston engines supplemented by underwing jet pods; a refined turboprop^^^^^version is still operational.

MR Mk 1, 217 SQUADRON, RAF KINLOSS, UK, 1954

One of 52 P2V-5 Neptunes supplied to the UK
and operated by Coastal Command between
1952 and 1957. The US Glossy Sea Blue finish
was retained. The single letter A is the unit
code.

AP-2H, VAH-21, US NAVY, CAM RANH BAY, SOUTH VIETNAM, 1968

Four of these highly modified aircraft were
used to monitor sections of the Ho Chi Minh
Trail using electronic sensors. The color
scheme is a matt Dark Gull Gray.
Light Gull Gray and Mixed Gray
(50-50 Light and Dark Gull Gray).

SP-2H, 10 SQUADRON, ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE, TOWNSVILLE,

AUSTRALIA, 1975
This was the last Neptune version built and
Australia received 12 for patrol duties
the country's eastern seaboard
before they were
replaced by
Electras from
1977.
86
LOCKHEED P-80
Fighter-bomber; the first practical jet combat aircraft accepted into USAAF service; prototype flew on 8 January 1944 powered by a
British de Havilland Hi turbo-jet; it saw action in Korea where it operated with considerable success; production totaled 1718.

P-80A, 412th FIGHTER GROUP, 1946

Immediate post-war period finish of glossy
light gray overall. Believed to be the squadron
commander's aircraft due to the multi-colored
fuselage bands. The red had yet to reappear in
the national insignia.

F80B, 94th FIGHTER SQUADRON, LADD FIELD, ALASKA. 1947

Famous as the “Hat-in-a-Ring” unit. The
aircraft carries a “Buzz" number prefixed P
signifying Pursuit, changed in )une 1948 to F
for Fighter.

F-80C, 36th FIGHTER-BOMBER SQUADRON, 8th FIGHTER-BOMBER WING, KOREA, 1949

This aircraft carries a typical Korean War
scheme of a polished natural metal with an
Olive Drab anti-glare panel in front of cockpit.
This aircraft is believed to have carried the
name "Miss Barbara Ann” on the other side
of the nose.
 HAWKER FURY 87

Fighter/fighter-bomber; developed during World War II, eventually entered service with the Royal Navy as the Sea Fury; acquitted itself
well in Korea even against North Korean MiG-15 jets; the Fury was exported to a number of countries and production totaled 864.

FB Mk II, 805 SQUADRON, ROYAL NAVY FLEET AIR ARM, 1948

The FAA aircraft is painted Extra Dark Sea
Gray with Sky undersurfaces and an
individual aircraft number (103) and two-letter
I station code (JR Eglinton). The rear fuselage
serial and ROYAL NAVY were in 4in high.
i

Mk 50, ROYAL NETHERLANDS NAVY, 1951

47 aircraft received from the UK and
Fokker production and operated with 1, 3 and
860 Squadrons. The final aircraft was struck
off charge in January 1959. Overall
finish was the same as for Royal
Navy operated aircraft.

Mk 60, PAKISTAN AIR FORCE, 1950

The largest export order for Furies was for 93
Mk 60s and five Mk 61 trainers for Pakistan,
delivered between 1949 and 1954. The
unit badge and squadron leader’s
pennant can be seen under the cockpit.
 88
A.W. METEOR
Day and night fighter; single-seat and two seat versions; for night fighter armament was moved to the wings and radar was housed in the
nose along with a second seat for the operator; first flight was December 1948 and final production totaled 547.

NF. Mk 11, 68 SQUADRON, RAF WAHN, WEST GERMANY, 1952

This aircraft carries the commanding officer's
stripes on the fin and the station commander's
pennant on the nose.

NF. Mk 13, EGYPTIAN AIR FORCE, 1955

This aircraft was the second of six
refurbished ex-i<AF planes sold to Egypt which
retained their original camouflage
whilst in EAF service.

TT. Mk 20. ROYAL NAVY FLEET REQUIREMENTS

UNIT, HAL FAR, MALTA, EARLY 1960s
This carries base codes on the fin and a
serial number (WD 785)
under the tailplane.
There is a wind-
driven target sleeve
winch above the
starboard wing.
 DOUGLAS AD-1 SKYRAIDER
Fighter-bomber; this was the largest single seat production aircraft when it entered service in 1947; capable of a 10 hour flight
endurance; seven weapons pylons under each wing; called the AD-1 and later the A-l, it was an extremely robust machines-

A-lH (AD-6), VA-145 “SWORDSMEN,” US NAVY, NAS ATSUGI, JAPAN, EARLY 1960s
Gloss Gull Gray and White aircraft with the unit badge on a
green band, aircraft serial number beneath the code and
the individual number (04) repeated on the fin
tip. During the Korean War this
unit was designated Attack
Squadron 702, flying early
AD-ls; it became VA-145 in late
1952 and took later “Spads” to
Vietnam in 1964.

A-lH (AD-6), 518th FIGHTER SQUADRON, VNAF, BIEN HOA, VIETNAM, 1967
The first 25 Skyraiders for the Vietnam Air Force were supplied
in September 1960. By March 1972, 289 had been received
and equipped seven squadrons, vnaf
marking style was similar to the
US national insignia
except for
the colors

AD-5 (A-lG), FIRST AIR COMMANDO GROUP, USAF,

BIEN HOA, VIETNAM, 1964
After years as a US Navy aircraft, the
Skyraiders joined the usaf in the
mid 1960s. This example still
wears the Navy's gray and white
colors. The matt-black area covers
engine exhaust stains.
 90
DE HAVILLAND VAMPIRE_
Fighter-bomber, single seater entered RAF service in 1946 too late to see service in World War II: tapering wings and tail supported on
slim booms gave it an unmistakable shape; RAF had 40 squadrons and the aircraft was widely exported, total production reaching 4206.

FB. Mk 5,112 SQUADRON, RAF BRUGGEN,

WEST GERMANY, 1953
It has Dark Green, Dark Sea Gray and
PR Blue undersides. There is an 18in
diameter roundel on the boom.

FB. Mk 5, FRENCH AIR FORCE, 1950

Known as the Mistral to the French Air Force,
247 were built under license in France.

FB. Mk 5, 2 SQUADRON, RHODESIAN AIR

FORCE, THORNHILL, RHODESIA, 1971
It has dark green and brown upper surface
camouflage with a national markings adopted
on declaration of UDI in 1970.

FB. Mk 6, SWISS AIR FORCE, MID-1950S

This was the fifth Swiss Vampire built under
license out of 100 produced by F + W, Emmem,
from 1951. The finish is silver overall.
 NORTH AMERICAN F-86 SABRE 91

I' ighter; the dominant jet in Korea where its qualities overcame Chinese MiG-15s, it was the successful outcome of US engineerini
genius combined with German wartime research on swept wings; prototype flew in 1947; eventual production totaled 9502.

F Mk 4, 92 SQUADRON, RAF FIGHTER COMMAND, LINTON-ON-OUSE, UK, 1954

US Mutual Aid funds were used to provide — .
430 Canndair-built Sabres to the kaf in the -FtG'll Mit M: &/'
mid-1950s. Finish was Dark Green. Dark Sea ' - --
Gray and Light Gray undersides. On
the nose is a small squadron badge. v

Mk 6, JG 71 “RICHTHOFEN,” WEST GERMAN AIR FORCE, WITTMUNDHAFEN, 1963

!
Three Luftwaffe day fighter Wings operated
225 of the Canadair-built Sabre’s. The bright ylfef *■
unit markings on JG 71 aircraft are a *'r -"
variation of a scheme carried on the
. . vHHk ^1 tP^
WWII The Kie htholen assoualio:i gvT
goes back to World War 1. ***** "* w

F-86F, 2 SQUADRON, SOUTH AFRICAN AIR FORCE, KOREA, 1953

Between March and October 1952, the saaf’s .
“Flying Cheetah” squadron operated 20 or so jaJli
Sabres in the natural metal scheme over r
Korea. The broad yellow band was ^ ■ ,
an identification marking and the * ?s*
over-large fin stripes were also applied JUST JOAN ic • Li
to assist with visual recognition. ('
 92
CONVAIR B-36
Heavy bomber; originally intended to attack German targets from the USA. the first flight did not take place until August
1946; this ten-engined bomber was dogged with severe technical problems and it was withdrawn from service in 1959.

B-36A, 7th BOMB GROUP (HEAVY), 8th AIR FORCE, SAC, USAF, CARSWELL, USA, EARLY 1950s
This aircraft, one of a number of A versions, was nothing
more threatening than a crew trainer, although it was a
later converted into an RB-36E.
The aircraft lacks the later
underwing jet pods, relying
on the six Pratt & Whitney
Wasp Majors to drive the 19ft
diameter propellers.

B-36B-1-CF, STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND, USAF, EARLY 1950s

This was the eighth of 73 B models built and carries
a large "Buzz” number on the fuselage
for identification purposes. Arctic .
markings were applied to j
many aircraft during this 'sj _
period, when the Cold War ^BiSiKaiSi
appeared likely to erupt into a full-
scale conflict requiring "over the Pole” operations,

RB-36E, 72nd STRATEGIC RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON, 5th SR WING, SAC USAF

TRAVIS AEB, USA, 1951-8
Very few B-36s were painted,
most retaining their natural
metal finish. This example
was built as a bomber, but
converted to carry a 14-camera
installation in the forward bomb-bay. It bears the X in-a-circle
marking of the 15th Air Force.

B-36H, 11th BOMB WING, STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND, USAF, CARSWELL, USA, MID-1950S
The U in-a-triangle identifies the Bomb Wing
which flew this version of the
B-36. On the fin is the famous
'Winged 8' of the
8th Air Force.
_MIKOYAN-GUREVICH MiG-15 93

Fighter; based on captured German swept wing research; early models were equipped with the British Nene jet engine; actually entered
service before the US F-86 Sabre; the superiority achieved by the Sabre in Korea was probably due to superior pilot training.

MiG-15bis, SOVIET AIR FORCE, CZECHOSLOV AKIA, 1955

Unpainted airframes were standard for
Soviet-operated fighters during the
Fifties and Sixties. This aircraft made a
navigational error and force-landed in
West Germany. On the fin is the
construction number and on the nose is
the regiment aircraft number.

SHENYANG J-2, AIR FORCE OF THE PEOPLE’S LIBERATION ARMY, CHINA, LATE-1950S
Camouflage patterns applied to
Chinese-operated fighters usually
differed from aircraft to aircraft. The
national star and bar marking
incorporates the Chinese characters 8
over 1.

MiG-15bis, PECS MILITARY DISTRICT, HUNGARIAN AIR FORCE, 1960

A disruptive green and brown scheme
over the upper surfaces contrasted with
many eastern Bloc fighters at this time
which were often left in natural metal.
 GRUMMAN PANTHER/COUGAR
Carrier-based fighter/bomber; the US Navy’s first jet-powered carrier based fighter-bomber to see action when it attacked targets in
initial straight-winged Panther series gave way to the swept-wingF9F-6 Cougar; total produced of both variants was 3367.

F9F-2, VF-781, US NAVY, KOREA, 1951-2

A Panther in typical glossy, but worn Sea Blue
finish of the Korean War period. Squadron
markings were usually painted on the tip
tanks as well as the nose area and the top of
the fin. On many missions the
Panthers, having unloaded their
underwing ordnance, assumed a
fighter role, using their four 20mm
cannon to good effect against the poorly
flown MiGs and Yaks.

F9F-5P, VMJ-3, US MARINE CORPS, KOREA, 1953

‘Midnight Blue' unarmed photo-reconnais¬
sance Panther with camera bay in the nose;
36 were built. The ‘Marines' title on the rear
fuselage had been introduced in
February 1950 after a lapse
of nine years; the letters
were 12in high.

F9F-8, VF-61, US NAVY, MID-1950S

A Cougar of ‘The Jolly Rogers' (today VF-84),
identified by the swept wing with no tip tank
and the undernose blister for the UHF
antenna. The dark coloring
was to last until July 1955,
when the Light Gull Gray and
White was adopted, becoming Fleet-wide
by mid-1957.
_SIKORSKY S-55 95

Utility helicopter: first major load-carrying helicopter with acceptable performance; prototype first flew in November 1949; powered by
a radial engine in the nose, driving a three-bladed rotor and a small anti-torque tail rotor; 1281 were produced.

H04S-3, UNITED STATES NAVY,

EARLY 1950s
The Navy
first ordered the S-55 as the H04S-1
in April 1950, first deliveries being
made at the end of the year for
general purpose and anti¬
submarine observation.
The -3 had a higher-
powered 700hp Wright
R-1300 engine. The type
was redesignated UH-
19F in 1962.

H-19C, US ARMY, MID-1950S

Starting in 1952, the US Army received
2 C and 336 D versions for utility
and assault duties. The Red
Indian name ‘Chickasaw’ was
given to the type, and the
designation changed
in 1962 to UH-19C
and D series. Olive
Drab was the overall
color.
96
BOEING B-47
Medium bomber; Boeing incorporated swept wings into this its first multi-engined turbojet bomber; prototype first flew in 1947
but development was slow and first production models appeared in 1952; over 1800 eventually equipped 81 squadrons.
-
B-47E-46-BW, USAF STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND, LATE 1950s HQ378
Like the raf’s V-bombers, SAC B-47s were
given an anti-radiation gloss white finish over
the undersides to reduce the effects of a
/
nuclear flash. The top surfaces were
left aluminum with a matt black
surround to the two-seat
U.S. AIR FORCE
cockpit. The Command
sash and badge was
applied to the port side
of the nose, the Wing badge
to the starboard side.

B-47E-130-BW, 307th BOMB WING, USAF, LINCOLN AFB, USA, LATE 1950s
This late-production aircraft, one of 1359 Es
built at Wichita, has large 1780 US gal drop-
tanks between the engines. Each aircraft could
carry up to 20,000lb of bombs
internally; defensive
armament was limited U.S.AIR FORCE,
to two 20mm cannon
in the tail turret.

RB-47H, 343rd STRATEGIC RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON, 55th SRW, USAF, 1957

Signals intelligence (SIGINT) was the role of
these so-called “spy-planes.” Despite the 24in
high title on the nose and the 50in-diameter
star on the side of the fuselage, at least one
was shot down by Soviet fighters. Covered in
aerials and strange pods, these .
aircraft carried three “crows ^ I X-
(systems operators) in a „ n— , , ,,
bomb-bay o^^U.S. AIRI0RC!
^
compartment.
 _BOEING B-52 97

Heavy bomber; entered service in 1955 and still operational in 1992; used in the Gulf War where missions were undertaken from US and
UK bases; crew of six; eight turbojet/turbofan engines; can be used for air launching cruise missiles or the sea-skimming Harpoon.

B-52D, 367th BOMB SQUADRON, 306th BOMB WING, McCOY AFB. USA, 1971
The tall pointed tail identified the early
variants. It was the D version, painted in the
; scheme shown here, that pounded North
! Vietnam. The SE Asia colors were Tan
I (34201), Green (34079), Green (34159) and
I Black (17038). The nose markings include a
| SAC badge and the legend “ORLANDO . . .
| where the action is.” On the fin is

AirFoict!. ,■-*. ,:-,o w. .■

' B-52G, STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND, US AIR FORCE, 1980

Devoid of any markings other than the
standard serial in black on the fin tip
(repeated on the nose) and the national
f insignia, which is hidden by the wing in this
view, on the fuselage side, this G variant has
I the latest electro-optical viewing
system blisters under the
nose. \Vhile undersides
replaced the black of the
Vietnam era. - t =

B-52G, STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND, US AIR FORCE, 1988

The latest color combination consists of two
dark grays and a green which SAC chose in
1985 to conceal B-52s better in their low-level
attack role. The result is a particularly somber
finish; but it is non-reflective, ^
which reduces its visibility
when viewed limn ,ibu\e /' jSSriSfilli.*! , '
the gimilld
.ig.lllist uW 1,-iy f i.
98
McDonnell douglas a-4
Fighter-bomber: designed for US Navy carrier use, the ‘Skyhawk’ first went to sea in 1954 and is still operational in
various countries; small wing for carrier stowage; carried enough fuel to give respectable combat range; 2960 produced.

A-4C, VA-144, USS KITTYHAWK, US NAVY, EARLY 1960s

Light Gull Gray and Gloss White undersides
and markings that typify the early Sixties.
The Carrier Air Wing code is on the fin;
the aircraft number is
displayed on the nose and -4
the last four digits of the serial
are enlarged on the dorsal fin.

A-4M, VMA-324, US MARINE CORPS, BEAUFORT,

S CAROLINA, 1972
This was the first Marine unit to fly the A-4M.
VMA-324 displayed its badge on the intake
sides. Improved pilot visibility was a major
feature of this version which had a
redesigned canopy and more am- >
munition for the wing-root t »
20mm guns.

OA-4M, H&MS-32, US MARINE CORPS, CHERRY POINT, USA, 1986

Shown here in current low-visibility two-tone
gray colors (Compass Gray and Light
Compass Gray) with outline insignia counter-
shaded on the fuselage. By now even the
bright rescue markings have
been toned down.
 99

A-4Q, 3 ESCUADRILLA AERONAVAL DE ATAQUE, 3 ESCUADRA,

ARGENTINE NAVY, RIO GRANDE, ARGENTINA, 1982
Here is the Dark Green and White camouflage used
at the time of the Falklands conflict. The unit
code on the fuselage combines the
individual aircraft number
(04). 0657 on fin is
manufacturer's
construction number.

A-4KU, KUWAIT AIR FORCE, AL JAHRA, KUWAIT, 1982

A standard Middle Eastern desert finish of
Brown, Sand and Deep Sky Blue was applied
to 30 single-seat Skvhawks equipping two
units of the Kuwait Air Force. The Arabic
script reads 514.

A-4E, 11 SQUADRON, INDONESIAN ARMED FORCES/AIR FORCE,

MADIUN, INDONESIA, 1987
An unusual three-color scheme applied to an
ex-Israeli A-4E bought in 1980. 12 Sqn at
Pekanbaru is another operator of the type
Note the extended jetpipe to reduce the
effect of a hit by
heat-seeking missiles.
100
REPUBLIC F-84
Fighter-bomber; the F-84 started life as a straight-wing jet-powered aircraft but was outclassed by MiG-15s in Korea; the swept-wing
version, F-84F, became NATO’s main nuclear weapons carrier from 1954; 3428 manufactured.

F-84F, 315 SQUADRON, ROYAL NETHERLANDS AIR FORCE, EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS, 1968
Six squadrons of F-84Fs and one squadron of
RF-84Fs totaling 204 aircraft operated in the
RNethAF from the mid-1950s. The red outlined
areas on the fuselage are inspection panels,
whilst the two parallel red lines under the
fuselage are trestle points used for
maintenance purposes.

RF-84F, 1 STAFFEL AG 51, WEST GERMAN AIR FORCE, INGOLDSTADT-MANCHING, 1960

The Luftwaffe had two Wings of RF-84Fs,
each with two 26-aircraft squadrons, equipped
between ]uly 1959 and January 1967. The
unit's devil's head emblem shown on the
fin of this red-tailed aircraft gave way
shortly afterwards to an owl which
currently adorns AG 51s RF-4E Phantoms.

RF-84F, 1 ESC. "BELFORT,” 33 ESC. DE RECONNAISSANCE, FRENCH AIR FORCE, LUXEUIL, FRANCE. 1966
Disruptive green-gray camouflage covers the
top surfaces of this aircraft with the unit's
battle axe emblem by the engine intake and
the unit number and aircraft code flanking
one of the oblique camera ports.
 HAWKER HUNTER 101

Fighter; Rolls Royce Avon engine; four 30mm Aden cannons, plus bombs, rockets and/or drop tanks; the good-looking and highly
successful Hunter served in 21 air arms and was once the backbone of RAF Fighter Command; a total of 1,972 were produced. ^

F. Mk 6, 43 SQUADRON, RAF LEUCHARS, UK, LATE 1950s

An aircraft of the famous “Fighting Cocks”
squadron, camouflaged in gloss Dark Green
and Dark Sea Gray with aluminum , ,
(silver] undersides.

m
FR. Mk 71A, FUERZA AEREA DE CHILE
EARLY 1980s ^
The converted, ex-RAF F.4 (XF317) 4|H
retains UK day fighter finish, but
with Light Aircraft Gray undersides.

T.Mk 75A, 141 SQUADRON, REPUBLIC OF

SINGAPORE AIR FORCE, TENGAH,
SINGAPORE, EARLY 1980s
This is a trainer version ,.
displaying bright markings ^
before high visibility colors
were deleted.
 NORTH AMERICAN F-100
Fighter; the first Western fighter capable of level supersonic performance and also the first Century-series fighter in the USAF
other users included Denmark, France and Turkey; variants were the F-100C, D and two-seat F; production totaled 2294. a

F-100D, 20th TACTICAL FIGHTER WING, USAF, WETHERSFIELD, UK, 1960

The silver-finished “Huns” of the three
squadrons that formed this unit were familiar . ,
to residents of Hast Anglia from the end of the -iaf\ )

U.S. AIR FORCE

F-100F, TACTICAL AIR COMMAND, USAF, 1965

First of a small batch of special Wild Weasel 1
SAM (Surface-to-Air Missile) suppression
conversions operated on Iron Hand flights
over North Vietnam in 1965-66. One of the
external differences between this
aircraft and the trainer
version included an ‘""J"*®5|
additional antenna on
the fin.

F-100D, ROYAL DANISH AIR FORCE, DENMARK, 1976

Three squadrons operated F-lOOs, 725 at
Karup and 727 and 730 at Skrydstrup.
Aircraft were initially delivered and flown in
natural metal finish, but in 1969
low visibility colors were tjjfi
adopted. This particular aircraft ~'L~~-
I rushed in M.i\ 1977.
 GRUMMAN TRACKER 103

Anti Submarine aircraft; the Tracker was the first design specifically intended to perform all phases of the ASW mission-
detection, identification, tracking and destruction; prototype first flew in December 1954; still in service entering the lggos^

S-2E, VS-21, US NAVY, USS KEARSAGE (CVSG-53), 1964

Lumps and bumps abounded on a 'Stoof'
(nickname for the Tracker). Above the cockpit
was an ECM antenna, under the fuselage was
a retractable radar scanner and under the
rudder was a retractable MAD (Magnetic
Anomaly Detector) boom; numerous aerials
and underwing weapons were also fitted.

S-2E, ESCUADRON ANTISUBMARINO 12, PERUVIAN NAVY,

JORGE CHAVEZ AB, LIMA, PERU, 1987
Seven E and four G versions were in recent
service with the Peruvian Navy in the scheme
shown here. They have been supplied since
1976 and include some of the latest equipment
modifications to enable them to conduct ASW
missions effectively against modern quiet¬
running submarines.

S-2E/F, REPUBLIC OF CHINA NAVY, TAIWAN, 1986

This unusual camouflage for over-water use
appears to have shades reminiscent of those
used by the US Navy in 1943. Colors are
similar to Blue Gray, Semi-gloss Sea Blue and
Intermediate Blue with what seems like light
gray undersides. About 32 of these aircraft are
in use.
 LOCKHEED C-130 HERCULES
Transport/tanker/gunship/surveillance/ASW/reconnaissance; first flight 23 August 1954 and still in production
37 years later; also a series of civil cargo-carrying Hercules, some with lengthened fuselages adopted by military users

C-130H, MILITARY AIRLIFT COMMAND, USAF. 1987

F’or the low-level tactical airlift role, a so-called
“Lizard” scheme of Dark Green, Medium
Green and Gray was adopted in the early

insignia on the rear fuselage ^^

C Mk 3, TRANSPORT WING, RAF LYNEHAM, UK 1980

First of 30 “stretched” Hercules for the raf was this aircraft
serial no. XV223, converted bv Lockheed-Georgia in 1979.
Subsequent conversions were

ROYAL AIR FORGE

EC-130Q, VQ-3 & VQ-4, US NAVY, PATUXENT RIVER NAS, USA, 1976
Light Gull Gray and Gloss White colors are
displayed on this TACAMO (“Take Charge
And Move Out") version specially
adapted to communicate with
USN missile submarines far g . >

from base. 18 have been built . . —

so far. a a

UNITED S'
\ ..
 REPUBLIC F-105 105

Attack bomber; the largest single-seat single-engined combat aircraft in history; designed to deliver nuclear or conven¬
tional weapons in all weapons at high speed and long range; bore a major share of the bombing missions in Vietnam.

F-105D, 563rd TFS, 23rd TFW, USAF, VIETNAM, JUNE 1965

Early operations in SE Asia found aircraft such as
this example still flying in natural metal finish.
On the fin is the Tactical Air Command
badge with the serial number
below and the last
three digits —
forming the
buzz number on the nose.

F-105D, 149th TFS, VIRGINIA AIR NATIONAL GUARD, RICHMOND AFB, USA, LATE 1970s
The single-seater "Thud'' was withdrawn from Vietnam bombing
operations in 1970 and on return to the usa most
of the survivors were spread among ang units.
Personal insignia was usually applied
under the wing on the
light gray fuselage
side as
with
“Satanic duo” seen here.

F-105G, 561st TFS, 23rd TFW, McConnell AFB, USA, EARLY 1970s
With a Shrike anti-radar missile visible on the outboard
wing pylon, this “Thud” is in Wild Weasel III
configuration for defense suppression
operations over Vietnam.
The fin code letters
are 24in
high
with 15in high serial
numbers. 20mm Vulcan cannon is in nose.
 _MIKOYAN-GUREVICH MiG-21_
Fighter interceptor and fighter-bomber; the delta-winged ‘Fishbed’ MiGs were the most widely used combat aircraft in the world during
the 1970s being operated in at least 38 countries; MiG 21PFMA is the fighter-bomber version; over 10,000 of all versions produced.

MiG-2lMF (FISHBED J), SOVIET AIK FORCE, BAGRAM, AFGHANISTAN. 1983

Detached to the occupying Soviet Forces, this
aircraft carries a color scheme associated with
the southern area of the USSR. The centerline
GSh-23L cannon can
just be seen behind the
108 Imp gal (4901 it) drop
tank on the inboard pylon.

MiG-2lM, 37 SQUADRON “PANTHERS,” INDIAN AIR FORCE, 1981

Externally similar to the MF model, the
Hindustan-built M version differed from
retaining the earlier
Tumanskii R-ll engine. On
the nose is the unit badge
while the two red triangles by
the cockpit indicate both canopy
and ejection seat can be fired in an emergency.

MiG-2lMF, IRAQI AIR FORCE. 1985

Another desert operator of the Fishbed, Iraq
used the type to fly patrols over sensitive
military bases which could attract the attention of
the Iranian AF, with whom Iraq
was at war. The latest
MiG-29 Fulcrum is now
in service with the
Iraqi AF.
 LOCKHEED U-2
High-altitude reconnaissance; designed and built under a cloak of secrecy with the codename of Aquatone, its true purpose was
only revealed when one was shot down over the Soviet Union in 1960; production was approximately 113 aircraft.

U-2A, 4080th STRATEGIC RECONNAISSANCE WING, USAF, LAUGHLIN AFB, USA, 1962
Depicted here in a natural metal overall finish
is an aircraft used during the 1962 Cuban
missile crisis and later deployed to raf Upper
Heyford, uk. The national insignia was
painted above port and below starboard
wings only.

66953
U-2CT, 100th STRATEGIC RECONNAISSANCE WING, DAVIS-MONTHAN AFB, USA, 1975
Built initially as a U-2D and operated by the
4080th srw, 56-6953 was later converted into |,aae» 1
this trainer configuration and used by the — &
100th and 9th srws. - BSijp —

, _ . j ‘

U-2C, 4080th STRATEGIC RECON. WING, RAF MILDENHALL, UK, 1975

One of six deployed to Europe to test a target
location system developed to find Warsaw
Pact emitters behind the Iron Curtain. The
two-tone gray “Sabre Scheme" replaced black
at request of the uk Government.

U-2D, 651st TEST GROUP, USAF AIR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COMMAND, EDWARDS AFB, USA, JULY 1971
Built as a U-2A, this machine was used to test
new equipment following its change to U-2D
standard. Painted in non-reflective black, it has
an unusual vertical sensor behind the cockpit.
108
CONVAIR F-102
Fighter interceptor; the ‘Deuce’ almost failed to reach production being unable to attain Mach-1 in level flight. Aero-dynamic
reshaping (the ‘Coke-bottle curve’) successfully reduced the drag; entered service in April 1956 and production totaled 889.

F-102A, 57th FIGHTER INTERCEPTOR SQUADRON, US AIR FORCE, KEFLAVIK, ICELAND, MID-1960S
The "Black Knights" in Iceland was the last
unit to fly this Century-series fighter, finally
retiring it in 1973. Red Arctic markings were
applied to the fin and wings, a 30in star
marking was painted on the engine intake, the
"U.S. AIR FORCE” was 21in high, and fin
serial numbers were 12in high.

F-102A, 342 MIRA, 114 WING, HELLENIC AIR FORCE, TANAGRA, GREECE, 1974
Vietnam camouflage appeared on some of the
24 or so aircraft supplied to Greece in 1970 (a
number of two-seaters were included for
training use). However, most had a pale gray
finish and were retained in use until replaced
by Mirage F.lCGs.

F-102A, 181 SQUADRON, TURKISH AIR FORCE, MERZIFON, TURKEY, 1969-70

About 50 surplus Daggers were supplied to
two squadrons of the Turkish AF. Like the
Greek machines, they retained the general
gray finish and the black serial number
on the fin. They are believed
to have been used
during the Turkish
invasion of Cyprus in 1974.
 AVRO VULCAN
Strategic bomber; maneuverability was almost unequaled by any other large, four-jet strategic bomber; prototype flew in 1952 and
withdrawn from service in 1984 after its use in the bombing of the Argentine-held Falklands two years previously.

BMkl, RAF, 1955

This was the ninth production aircraft, seen
here in silver finish. Markings included a 54in
fuselage roundel, 18in high black serial
number and City of Lincoln
shield. This aircraft
crashed on its return
from New Zealand in
October 1956.

B Mk II, 617 SQUADRON, RAF, SCAMPTON, UK, 1963

An overall anti-flash white finish appeared
on V bombers during 1957 and 1958.
The unit crest can be seen on ®
11
XL32I
the nose and the
squadron
markings are above the
raf flash on the tail.

BMkII, RAF, 1982

During the Falklands campaign, Vulcans from
many squadrons were drawn into a single operating force for the
“Black Buck” bombing missions. The operational scheme is seen
here with Dark Sea Gray over the Light
Aircraft Gray undersurfaces in
keeping with their
nocturnal
flights. Three rnmmmm
raid symbols can be
seen applied to the no
nn_McDonnell f-ioi voodoo_
Fighter/fighter-bomber/reconnaissance; entered service 1957; F101C fighter-bomber and unarmed reconnaissance models served with
distinction in Vietnam until supplanted by the Phantom; production exceeded 730 aircraft.

F-101B, 179th FIGHTER INTERCEPTOR SQUADRON, MINNESOTA, AIR NATIONAL GUARD, USA, 1974
A protective light gray paint was sprayed over
the natural metal to reduce the effect of
corrosion. This F-101B displays its ang
operator insignia and has the Command
badge on the fin.

CF-101B, 409 SQUADRON, CANADIAN ARMED FORCES, COMOX, CANADA, 1975

This Air Defense Group aircraft is sprayed
overall a light gray. It was one of 56 CF-lOlBs
and 10, 101 Fs delivered to Canada under the
Peace Wings operation in 1971. replacing
an earlier batch of the same
quantity.

RF-101C, 45th TACTICAL RECON. SQUADRON, 460th TRW, USAF, TAN SON NHUT, SOUTH VIETNAM, 1968
Standard SE Asia camouflage of Dark Green,
Medium Green and Tan with Gray undersides.
The White tail code is 24in high and serial
number 15in high, both in stencil
style lettering.
 CHANCE-VOUGHT F-8 CRUSADER 111

Carrier-borne fighter; the Crusader was built with a variable-incidence high wing to give greater lift while landing and taking
off; it was the first shipboard service fighter to fly at Mach 1 in level flight; total of 1261 built.

F-8A, VF-211 “CHECKMATES,” US NAVY, NAS MOFFETT FIELD, USA, EARLY-1960s

Light Gull Gray and Gloss White was the
basic color scheme for US-based carrier
aircraft for many years. Bright markings such
as these were typical of squadron aircraft. On
this machine the NP tail code denotes
attachment to Carrier Air Group 21.

F-8D, VMF(AW)-451, US MARINE CORPS, USA, MID-1960S

Four Sidewinder AAMs could be carried by
this version, of which 152 were built. The
squadron code is carried on the fin and below
it is a larger than standard serial number.
Before designations were changed in
the Sixties this version was ^eHnr-r,„r «

known as an F8U-2N. |.

RF-8G, VFP-306, US NAVY RESERVE, NARTU, WASHINGTON DC, USA

This smart example is a remanufactured RF-
8A with a camera bay in the forward fuselage.
The RF-8 Crusader was the primary naval
reconnaissance aircraft throughout the
Vietnam War.
BOS
112
HUGHES 500
Light observation helicopter; the egg-shaped OH-6 won a design competition and was given the Indian name ‘Cayuse', though troops
called it 'Loach’ in Vietnam; minigun armed, later variants were the 500 MD with TOW-nrissiles and nose-mounted sight.

OH-6A, US ARMY, DA NANG, VIETNAM, 1971

Olive Drab, broken only be the black Army
titling on the boom, was the overall color for
OH-6s. A six barrel GE Minigun is mounted
on the port side of the fuselage.

500M, DANISH ARMY FLYING SERVICE,

VANDEL, DENMARK, 1980
One of 15 machines delivered in 1971 for
observation duties with the Danish Army. In
<'1 Nury
wartime, these would be deployed with units
in the field.

500D, FINNISH AIR FORCE, UTTI, FINLAND, 1983

One of two machines (the other being HH-5)
that were bought to replace two 500Cs
operated in the liaison role. Note the unit
badge on the rear door.
 ENGLISH ELECTRIC LIGHTNING
Fighter interceptor, the only all-British production fighter capable of flying at Mach 2 or twice the speed of sound; maiden fligh
in August 1954; entered RAF service in 1960; eight basic marks and production totaled 337. jA

F Mk 3, 56 SQUADRON, RAF WATTISHAM, UK, 1965

This was the heyday of bright markings for the raf which were to last
for about a year. The colors were gloss on the natural metal
(silver] finish. The “Phoenix-arising” emblem
was positioned on the nose flash of 56 Squadron ^■
Lightnings at this time and some emblems Y
Y[ hv appeared on a white XP744
Mr ■ background. ^xTST'

F Mk 6 11 SQUADRON, RAF BINBROOK, UK, 1984

This aircraft has toned down markings on
Medium Sea Gray with Barley Gray
undersides - all semi-matt.

F Mk 2A, 92 SQUADRON, RAF GUTERSLOH

WEST GERMANY, 1975
For low level intercept duties. Dark
Green was applied over top
surfaces but natural metal still
remained underneath. ,
114
CONVAIR F-106
Fighter interceptor; derived from the F102B and improved to such an extent that another number was allocated; underwent various
improvement programs and 340 aircraft were produced in total but they were never to be proven in combat.

F-106A, 460th FIGHTER INTERCEPTOR SQUADRON, USAF, OXNARD AFB, USA, 1968
One of 13 squadrons of Air Defense Command
to have operated Darts, the 460th displays «,
colorful insignia associated with this defender
of the USA. Around the fuselage are the
squadron commander’s stripes.

E-106A, 159th FIS, 125th FIGHTER INTERCEPTOR GROUP, FLORIDA ANG, JACKSONVILLE, USA, 1975
This unit was one of several Air National
Guard formations to get F-106s in the early
1970s. Super Falcon missiles or Genie rockets
were the type's main armament, and some
l U.S.AIR FORCE
were fitted with an underbelly gun pack with
a 20mm cannon.

F-106B, 195th FIS, CALIFORNIA AIR NATIONAL GUARD, FRESNO, USA, 1980
The longer canopy and raised fuselage top-line
of the two-seat conversion trainer is shown to
advantage in a side view. The cut-out in the
middle of the fuselage is for the tanker probe
for air-to-air refueling. _
 SAAB DRAKEN 115

Fighter interceptor; double delta wing design is still unique among the world’s combat jets; still in service with Scand¬
inavian air forces 35 years after the first prototype flew; nine attachment points for bombs, rockets or missiles.

J 35F, FLYGFLOTTILJ10, SWEDISH AIR FORCE, ANGELHOLM, SWEDEN, 1970

For exercise purposes, a yellow checkerboard
pattern has been applied over the camouflage
of two greens on the fin. The design was
repeated on the outer mainwheel
doors and on the wing
upper surfaces
immediately inboard of the
outer panels.

A 35XD (ALIAS F-35), ESK 725, ROYAL DANISH AIR FORCE, KARUP, DENMARK, 1977
A freshly painted aircraft in the matt finish
prior to application of the gloss covering. Of
51 F-35, RF-35, and TF-35 Drakens originally
bought by Denmark, eight are known
to have been lost in accidents.
An update program will
keep the survivors
flying for
some years to come.

35XS, 11 SQUADRON, FINNISH AIR FORCE,

ROVANIEMI, FINLAND, 1974
An unpainted aircraft assembled by
Valmet in Finland from parts
supplied by Saab. One of
12 in service, it
later received a coat of camouflage
paint and now operates alongside 11 others of its
mark in a fleet of some 45 Drakens, both single and two-seaters.
116
WESTLAND SEA KING
Anti-submarine warfare and transport; Westland-built version of the Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King; since first flight in 1969 there have been
14 versions; in service with the armed forces of Britain, West Germany, Australia, Belgium, Egypt, Norway, and Pakistan.

HC. Mk 4, 846 SQUADRON, RNAS YEOVILTON, UK, 1982

The finish of matt Olive Drab was applied
to Commando assault versions
during the Falklands
conflict. The markings are
toned down except for the
tail rotor warning.

HAR, Mk 3, 22 SQUADRON, RAF, PORT STANLEY, FALKLANDS ISLANDS, 1982

An example of the Falklands conflict
camouflage is shown here. M
Gray has been applied over a
Yellow search and
rescue finish.
 DASSAULT MIRAGE III
Fighter/interceptor and ground attack; was the first European fighter to attain Mach 2 in level flight (in 1958); versatility of the design
has enabled production of trainer, recce and ground attack versions as well as a variant, the 5-series; production exceeds 1400

HIE, ESCADRON DE CHASSE 2/4 “LA FAYETTE,” ARMEE-DE-L’AIR, LUXEUIL, FRANCE, 1977
Developed from the IIIC interceptor, the E
version is a ground-attack aircraft with
increased fuel and radar for blind, low-level
navigation. This camouflage pattern was
applied to a number of export aircraft.
Note the indian head
badge of the unit,
which dates back to World War I.

IIIO, 77 SQUADRON, ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE, WILLIAMTOWN, AUSTRALIA, 1988

Australia operated Mirages from 1964 to 1988,
and 100 single-seaters were delivered. One of
the last schemes was this light gray finish;
the “grumpy monkey" unit badge is on the
fin. The Mirage has been replaced by
the F-18 Hornet.

IIIEA, 1 ESCUADRON, VIII BRIGADA AEREA, ARGENTINE AIR FORCE, RIO GALLEGOS, ARGENTINA, 1982
During the Falklands conflict, Argentina’s Mirage interceptors maintained
air patrols to combat a possible raf Vulcan strike against
continental bases. The external load for
these missions consisted of a Matra
530 and two Magic AAMs
under fuselage
and wings plus
two 374 Imp gal drop-tanks
118
BRITISH AEROSPACE SEA HARRIER
Carrier-borne V/STOL fighter; operated by the Royal Navy and the Indian Navy; entered service with Royal Navy in 1980; unlike the
Harrier has Blue Fox radar; during Falklands war Sea Harriers destroyed at least 20 Argentine aircraft without loss to themselve^^

FRS. Mk 1 800 SQUADRON, RNAS YEOVILTON, UK, 1981

This aircraft wears the pre-Falklands
color scheme of semi-gloss Dark Sea Gray
and Gloss White undersides. There is a __ jkT ROYAL NAVY
Type D roundel in the wing and fuselage
positions. The serial is
almost invisible __,—i
in the standard i
position below the
tail plane. L . --<- -

FRS. Mk 1, 899 SQUADRON, ROYAL NAVY, HMS “HERMES," 1982

Painted Extra Dark Sea Gray overall for the
South Atlantic campaigns. Note the Medium ^
Sea Gray rear canopy framing. '0P

Standard armament 'fit' for the air-to-air

role, comprising Sidewider missiles
outboard, drop tanks and 30mm Aden
gun pods under the fuselage.
 BRITISH AEROSPACE HARRIER 119

V/STOL fighter/fighter-bomber; single Rolls-Royce Pegasus engine; revolutionized air-warfare as can operate without long run^
ways; entered service in 1969; latest is GR.5/AV-8B operated by RAF and USMC; including Sea Harriers, 700 produced. / 7

Mk 50, ESCUADRILLA 008, SPANISH NAVY, CARRIER “DEDALO," SPAIN, 1980

The color scheme is the Spanish standard
Light Gray and White. Seven aircraft, built to
AV-8A standard, were operated by this ^
squadron.

Mk II (AV-8B) VMAT-203, MCAS CHERRY POINT, USA, 1984

The unit code (KID) is on the fin, the national
insignia are toned down but the aircraft
number is white — it was later
overpainted black.

GR. Mk 5, BRITISH AEROSPACE, DUNSEOLD AERODROME, UK. 1985

First flown on 20 April, 1985, ZD318 is the
first of the raf's latest Harrier version.
Although it was given this gray
toned-down color scheme,
production aircraft received
a finish of two greens which
gives a better camouflage for
low-level operations. The kaf has
94 of this version.
120
LOCKHEED P-3 ORION_
Maritime patrol/anti-submarine warfare: development of the Lockheed Electra airliner; turboprop powered, the prototype first flew in
August 1958; production P-3As entered service in 1962 and 641 were produced of all types.

CP-140 AURORA, 404 SQUADRON, MARITIME AIR GROUP, CANADIAN ARMED FORCES, GREENWOOD, 1984
The Canadian Orion variant combined the
avionics from the S-3A Viking with the
airframe of the P-3C. These 18 aircraft are now 1*1
finished in a dull gray scheme standard
to most caf airplanes.

ABMEO
FORCES

P-3C, FLEET SQUADRON 3, JAPANESE MARITIME SELF-DEFENSE FORCE, JAPAN

Japan license-built the Orion from 1982
onwards and at least 100 are planned to
be produced. Within the JMSDFs
identification system, prefix 5 in the tail , ■
number indicates a 4-engined ASW
(anti-submarine warfare) aircraft Q
and 015 is the 15th machine ,/
of its type in service. xy

P-3B, Skv 333, ROYAL NORWEGIAN AIR FORCE. ANDOYA, NORWAY. 1987
Dark gray overall with a small national
insignia and aircraft number on the fin make
Norwegian Orions tactically less
easy to idenlilv and less ciilorlul. yrfiiil®
 McDonnell douglas f-4 phantom ii 121

Fighter interceptor; initially designed for carrier-based operations with the US Navy, it was subsequently adopted by both the
US MC and USAF; prototype F4H-1 first flew in 1958; in 1981, the 5201st and last new-build Phantom was produced.

RF-4C, 38th TACTICAL RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON, 26th TRW, USAF, ZWEIBRUCKEN AB

WEST GERMANY, 1970s
Shown prior to the application of “European
One" camouflage of charcoal gray and two-
tone greens, this Germany-based
aircraft has the se Asia finish
with 24in high code letters on
the fin and loin high digits in its serial number below.

FG Mk 1, 43(F) SQUADRON, RAF LEUCHARS, UK, 1980

The kaf adopted a three-tone gray camouflage
for its air defense Phantoms from 1980. This
aircraft of the famous “Fighting Cocks”
squadron is shown before the addition of the
black and white checks either side of the
12in diameter low-visibility fuselage
roundel: these were added from 1982.

RF-4B, VMFP-3 SQUADRON, US MARINE CORPS; EL TORO, USA, 1980

Low-visibility markings with just a hint of the
old flamboyance which characterized
American military aircraft of previous years.
46 of these reconnaissance Phantoms were
delivered to the USMC. _ _ MAP,Klpj
3L, ,

F-4E, ISRAELI DEFENSE FORCE/AIR FORCE, ISRAEL, 1987

The Green, Brown and Sand disruptive
scheme has proved an acceptable camouflage
for operations over the desert, this typical
Israeli Phantom also carrying the iaf badge at
the top of the fin. Like most F-4s, the
aircraft has luminous strips on
the nose, fuselage and fin for
night formation flying.
122
AEROSPATIALE ALOUETTE/III
—_———

Search and rescue/liaison; this aircraft was to establish Aerospatiale as Europe's leading helicopter company; of the 1455 machines
produced, over 75 countries worldwide took delivery; it continues to appear in much modified form from other countries.

CHETAK, INDIAN AIR FORCE, 1984

The iaf operates both French-built and
Hindustan Aeronautics-built Alouettes
with an estimated 175 in service.
Duties include SAR. liaison,
training, etc.

SA 316B, 7 SQUADRON, ROYAL JORDANIAN

AIR FORCE, AMMAN, JORDAN, 1981
Before their withdrawal from use, 16 machines
were operated by the riaf, including this
example, numbered 318, which had a
special communications 'fit' on board.
The national roundel incorporates
the seven-pointed star representing
the first seven verses of the Koran.
 BLACKBURN BUCCANEER
Maritime strike and ground attack aircraft; one of the world's finest low-level attack aircraft; prototype flew in 1958 and first production
models went into service with the Royal Navy; transferred to RAF in 1979, some saw service in the Gulf War.

S Mk 2, 801 NAVAL AIR SQUADRON, HMS VICTORIOUS, ROYAL NAVY, 1965

Gloss-finished in Extra Dark Sea Gray and
White, RN-operated aircraft were fitted
with a "rhino horn” refueling probe to i
extend their range. Weapons were _
carried in the ventral rotating J ”
bomb bay.

S Mk 2, 809 NAVAL AIR SQUADRON, RNAS

A change in coloring for Buccaneers, to render
them less visible in their low-level role, «
produced this overall gloss Extra Dark Sea
Gray finish. On the fin is the unit badge,
repeated in heraldic form on the
engine intake.

S Mk 2B, 16 SQUADRON, RAF LAARBRUCH, WEST GERMANY, 1974

Replacing Canberras in the strike role as part
of raf Germany, Buccaneers were given a
scheme of matt Dark Green, Dark Sea Gray
and Light Aircraft Gray, then the kaf’s J jgjj XW536
standard disruptive finish. A bulged
bomb bay fuel tank was fitted to
increase the range; the nose probe was removed.

S Mk 50, 24 SQUADRON, SOUTH AFRICAN AIR FORCE, WATERKLOOF, SA, 1981

Only six aircraft of 16 ordered continue in y
saaf use. A miniaturized national
 NORTHROP F-5
Fighter; designed as a low-cost, supersonic fighter; carried about 485 gallons of fuel, two 20mm cannon and two Sidewinder missiles;
prototype first flew in July 1959 and entered production in 1962; over next 20 years some 30 countries acquired this small combat aircraft.

F-5E, US NAVY FIGHTER WEAPONS SCHOOL, MIRAMAR NAS, USA, 1978

Made famous by the film “Top Gun,” the usn
aggressor training unit at Miramar is
established along the same lines as that of the
usaf's units. The F-5E “drivers” duplicate
Soviet tactics, wear Soviet insignia and learn
Soviet doctrine. The School
badge is located
on the fin.

F-5E, 527th TFTAS, RAF ALCONBURY, UK, 1978

One of the five different “aggressor” schemes
used by the 527th, this one was called “gray
ghost.” During mock combat training,
opposing pilots found the aggressor
F-5s very difficult to see.

F-5E, 64th FITS, 57th FIGHTER WEAPONS WING, NELLIS AFB, USA, 1978
This brown and tan scheme was known as
“lizard” and particularly suited the Nevada
desert training grounds situated around Nellis.
The wingtip pylons carried dummy AIM-9
Sidewinder missiles instrumented
to record imaginary
air-to-air kills.
 125

CF-5A/D, 434 “BLUENOSE” SQUADRON, CANADIAN ARMED FORCES, CHATHAM CFB, CANADA, 1980
Canadair-built CF-5As have a speed and climb
rate superior to the basic F-5A. This example
has the standard bi-lingual titling either side
of the national marking on the nose and
prominent squadron insignia on the fin and
engine intakes. The refueling probe is an
optional fitting and is used for long-range
deployments.

RF-5E TIGEREYE, 17 SQUADRON, ROYAL SAUDI AIR FORCE, TABUK, SAUDI ARABIA, 1988
Tactical reconnaissance is the main task of the
ten specialized Tigereye versions in Saudi
service. Disruptive desert camouflage colors
appear to be standard on
ksaf Tornados, F-5s,
Strikemasters and Hawks.

F-5E, 2nd FIGHTER WING, REPUBLIC OF CHINA AIR FORCE, TAIWAN, 1978
Another variation on the American SE Asia three-color camouflage
which has been adopted by a number of air arms. This
particular aircraft (74-00959) called ‘Chung Chang'
was one of an initial batch supplied
by Northrop;
subsequent machines
were assembled at Taichung.
126
BELL IROQUOIS
Transport and fire-support; better known as the ‘Huey’, the UH-1 was the US forces workhorse in Vietnam; used for fire-support,
cas-evac, logistical transportation, more than 20,000 were produced and they will still be around well into the 21st century.

UH-lB. 121st ASSAULT HELICOPTER CO, 13th COMBAT

AVN BATTALION, US ARMY,
SOC TRANG, VIETNAM, 1967
“BL1TZ-KRIEG" of the “Vikings" armed
(gunship) platoon. The national insignia had
been removed from US Army UH-ls by this
time, leaving them dark and dull apart from
crew embellishments or the tactical marks as
shown on this example.

UH-lB. 2/20th ARA, 1st CAVALRY DIVISION.

US ARMY, VIETNAM, 1967
Armed with a Nord SSll (US M22) anti-tank
missile and carrying the famous Air Cavalry
badge on the tail, this is a B Battalion
machine. Inboard of the missiles is an
XM-3 24 or 36-tube rocket-launcher pack.

UH-1D, 82nd MEDICAL DETACHMENT, 121st ASSAULT HELICOPTER

CO, US ARMY, SOC TRANG, VIETNAM, 1967
Clearly marked with the time-honored red cross
marking, this was a special medevac machine with
space for six stretchers in the cabin. When the
newer "Deltas” and “Hotel'’ versions first
arrived in Vietnam they were assigned to
the medevac units.
 NORTH AMERICAN A-5
Carrier-based bomber and reconnaissance; problem concerning the linear bomb-bay effected its potential as a bomber, instead 59 early
models were converted to RA-5C multi-sensor recce aircraft and gave valuable service in Vietnam; total production 156.

A3J-1 (A-5A), VAH-7, US NAVY, USS ENTERPRISE, AUGUST 1962

The first full squadron deployment at sea saw
this early version aboard Enterprise. The
bomber had a noticeably flat-topped fuselage
compared with the humped appearance of the
later RA-5C. Colors were Light Gull Gray
and Gloss White, with the unit
badge on the side of the
engine intake.

RA-5C, RVAH-6 “FLEURS,” US NAVY, USS CONSTELLATION, LATE 1960s

Built as an A-5A bomber this machine was
assigned to the Pacific Fleet, as indicated by
the NL tail code. Under the fuselage is a side¬
looking radar pod which also contained
cameras. The nose number denotes the
squadron and aircraft number (4)
within the squadron.

RA-5C, RVAH-13, US NAVY, USS INDEPENDENCE, SE ASIA, EARLY 1970s

For over-land recce operations, a coat of
standard SE Asia camouflage was deemed
advisable, and late in the Vietnam conflict
aircraft like this became a familiar
sight on Yankee Station
in the Gulf.
128
GRUMMAN A-6 INTRUDER
Bomber: all-weather attack aircraft with crew of two; can deliver 18,000lbs of bombs over a 1,000 mile range, a feat regularly
demonstrated in Vietnam: many flown by the US Navy from carriers and heavily involved in Gulf War operations.

A-6E, VA-65 “TIGERS,” US NAVY, USS INDEPENDENCE (CVW-7), 1974

Shown before the addition of the chin-
mounted sensor turret known as TRAM
(Target Recognition And Multi-sensor), which
is on most E versions, this example is in the
standard scheme of non-specular Light Gull ggg
Gray with Glossy White undersides. Bright
unit markings were still part of the
operational scene,

EA-6A, VMCJ-2, US MARINES, DA NANG, VIETNAM, 1972

Replacing the EF-10B Skyknight, this Intruder
version provided tactical ECM for Marine
strike operations in SE Asia. Unlike other A-
6s, the EA-6A had no wingtip speed brakes,
relying instead on one on each side of the rear
fuselage for aerodynamic braking (seen here
under the word “MARINES”).

A-6E, VA-128, US NAVY, NAS WHIDBEY ISLAND, USA, MID-1980S

The low-visibility finish had really taken effect
by this time and units were allowed to display
their markings only in outline form, usually on
the tail. This squadron was the Pacific Fleet
replacement training unit. The grays used are 8E5
36320 (dark) on the upper surface and 36375
(light) on the undersides.

EA-6B, VAQ-134, US NAVY, USS ENTERPRISE (CVW-14), LATE 1970s

In the lengthened fuselage the Prowler
carries a four-man crew which includes ft% * yp
two ECM operators in the rear seats.
Located under the wings and belly are »r»all
powerful jamming pods. The unusual ' *
“rhino-horn” in front of the cockpit
is the aerial refueling probe.
_SEPECAT TAGUAR_ 129
Ground attack/maritime strike, jointly developed by BAC and Dassault-Breguet; single-seat all-weather attack version and two-seat
trainers produced; Britain and France ordered some 200 each and a number sold overseas to India, Ecuador, Nigeria, and Oman.

GR Mk 1,14 SQUADRON, RAF BRUGGEN, WEST GERMANY, 1984

The raf received 202 Jaguars, almost all
camouflaged in Dark Green and Dark Sea
Gray. Low visibility national markings were
somewhat compromised by the brightness of
the squadron badge, but this would have been J|
toned down or removed in wartime. Under the ^4
wing is a 264 Imp gal drop-tank.

JAGUAR A, EC 1/7 “PROVENCE,” FRENCH AIR FORCE, ST DIZIER, FRANCE, 1983

Armee de l’Air purchased 160 single-seat As
and 40 two-seat Es to equip nine Escadrons in _
3, 7 and 11 Escadres deChasse. Aircraft
deployed overseas to Africa had their
European camouflage oversprayed in a
and stone coluring. .

JAGUAR INTERNATIONAL, 8 SQUADRON, SULTAN OF OMAN’S AIR FORCE

THRUMRAYT, OMAN, 1981
Dark Earth and Light Stone applied over all
surfaces is the scheme adopted for the low- ,
level attack role in this barren country. In ijjt / '
recent years the small tail insignia has been
changed, with blue replacing the red. ...
130
M-B-B BQ105_
Communications/anti-tank; as BO105M used for liaison and communications by West German Army; later BO105P with uprated
transmission and improved rotors was selected for anti-tank use; armed with six HOT or eight TOW anti-tank missiles.

BO105P, WEST GERMAN ARMY AVIATION, 1985

Three Panzerabwehrregiments home-based at
Celle, Roth and Fritzlar are equipped with the
anti-tank version of the BO105. Each of
the 212 machines can carry six HOT
wire-guided missiles, the gunner
using a roof-mounted sight to
acquire the targets.

BO105GSH, BATTALION DE HELICOPTEROS DE ATAQUE I

SPANISH ARMY AVIATION, SPAIN, 1986
Assembled in Spain by CASA, the BO105
operates with the Army in three main
roles, anti-tank (Spanish
designation HA.15),
reconnaissance (HR.15) and
attack with a 20mm cannon
installation under the fuselage
(also HR.15).
 VOUGHT A-7 CORSAIR 131

Carrier-based fighter/bomber; smaller than the F-8 Crusader, A-7As were delivered to the US Navy in 1966; the A-7E continues
to serve with the US Navy powered by a license-built Rolls-Royce Spey turbofan; production of all marks totaled 1545. jd

A-7E, VA-25 “FISTS OF THE FLEET,” LIGHT ATTACK WING PACIFIC,

USN. NAS LEEMOKE, USA, 1975 -
Shown when operating from the carrier USS 7
Ranger (CV-61) this Corsair is finished in 5:
the then-standard Light Gull Gray and Gloss _ - - U ...Zjt
White scheme. The Squadron is now ■ C_.A
designated VFA-25 and operates the F-18 4/S ^

A-7E, VA-27 “ROYAL MACES,” LIGHT ATTACK WING PACIFIC, USN, NAS LEEMORE, CALIF
This unusual camouflage was one of several
experimental low-visibility schemes tried in "|pi hsi'.'jmbwu! ^ -,i
the mid-Seventies and comprised blue, light --y !!/
blue and tan uppersurfaces with light blue , y'
undersides. White was deleted from the CjfbpHMfelL ’ ***-*' 1
insignia. The unit was operating from the IISS ■ , .j
Enterprise (CVN-65) at the time.

A-7D, 23rd TACTICAL FIGHTER WING, USAF, E

“Wraparound” camouflage came into effect on
usaf Corsairs in the late 1970s. In October
1977, this unit won every award in a Tactical
Bombing Competition against the Royal Air <
Force at raf Lossiemouth, Scotland. The 23rd '
subsequently converted to the A-10A Thunderbolt
 SIKORSKY CH-53/S-65

HH-53C, 37lh ARRS, US AIR FORCE, DA NANG AB, SOUTH VIETNAM, 1971
The premier rescue helicopter in SE Asia,
Super Jolly Green Giants roamed across the __ c*—~

South Vietnam.
The long nose relucting pinne onv .m jimJBM
is•!IiI■ 1 i:l.u allowed c■ \11■::<11m 1 missions v.,',.v
tn hr How n in seen h nl (low nril ,/rX d
aircrew, Mmiumis iviTr nttcii tlir i--ii"
only defensive
armament for these
large machines.

CH-53D, HMH-462, US MARINE CORPS, FUTENMA, OKINAWA, LATE 1970s

Dark olive drab made these helicopters often
appear almost black in daylight. Apart from T
the rescue and warning
markings, all other J‘““
insignia was applied in black. Sea
Stallion is the official name of
Marine-operated CH-53A/Ds.

CH-53C, 601st TASS, USAF, SEMBACH AB, W GERMANY, EARLY 1980s

‘European 1’ camouflage pattern was sprayed
on the small force of usaf CH-53C Super
Jollies based in W Germany -—
and New Mexico, -—-- —
I ISA. Official Tech Order color names are
Gunship Greens 3401)2 and 34 102 and f Jg „ > , i,, V1
(11 i n s h! 11 (I i. i \ fill ] 3. the numbers /_/ ||lj||
rel.it my la dn' Fed r i, 11 SI,mil,ml AL,Mt?
393a list. f ,
 133

RH-53D, HM-12, US NAVY, NAS NORFOLK, USA, 1975

The tremendous power of the H-53 prompted
the usn to order a minesweeping version, the
RH-53A. The later D variant, of — --
which 30 were built, ----
succeeded it and HM-12 was the first
Helicopter Mine Countermeasures ^ iS5B
Squadron. The structure under the
rear fuselage is used to tow the
mine sweep gear.
EG «j NAVY

MH-53H, 1st SPECIAL OPERATIONS WING, USAF, HURLBURT FIELD, USA, 1987
Night and adverse weather operations called
for this modification of the HH-53C.
Equipment includes Forward- -a**'•==*■-
Looking Infra-Red. . _. aa TaffiftaWBEl
Doppler navigation svstem and. in llic iidsi: _ jfc _ A . Ask?
thimble, radar taken Irom the A-71)
Corsair 11. /If ' 1

CH-53E, HC-1, US NAVY, NORTH ISLAND, CALIF, 1985

usn Super Stallions adopted this very dark
gray finish principally for night
operations although
it is also effective coloring against
the sea. All markings appear
pale blue with just the 1
jeSSi'l l L
machine number (441 | in
white. The external
fuel tanks on the E /
version aaifjfes,;if-Jf
eai 1] ea 11 \ ->4B|igg| >. **'*£*"'**-' J
650 US gal.
134
LOCKHEED F-104
Fighter interceptor; the single-seat Mach 2 Starfighter was dubbed, ‘the missile with a man in it!’ when it first appeared; it entered
USAF service in 1958 and was manufactured under license in Europe and Japan, with a total of 2406 built.

F-104G, 30th TACTICAL FIGHTER WING, REPUBLIC OF CHINA AIR FORCE,

CHING CHUAN KANG, TAIWAN, 1987
This Vietnam-style SE Asia camouflage is just
one of a number of finishes to be seen on
Taiwan-based combat aircraft.
More than 100 F-
have been
acquired by the rcaf from
other air forces to supplement their F-5Es.

F-104S, FILO, 9 AIR BASE, TURKISH AIR FORCE, BALIKESHIR, TURKEY, 1987
This disruptive camouflage scheme was
applied to all 40 new-built F-104S aircraft
bought from Italy in the Seventies,
lust about half remain
flyable
alongside some older
F-104Gs.

TF-104G, JABOG 32, WEST GERMAN AIR FORCE, LECHFELD, WEST GERMANY, 1967
The coding system of two letters and three
digits divided by the cross was discontinued
by the Luftwaffe in 1968 and replaced
by four numbers. Under the
early system,
DB related
specifically to Jabog 32.
 BRITISH AEROSPACE STRIKEMASTER 135

Light trainer and ground attack; two-seater powered by a Rolls-Royce Viper engine; developed from the Jet Provost basic trainer, its
functional design proved particularly robust on ground-attack duties in the Middle-East’s harsh climate.

Mk 87, KENYA AIR FORCE, KENYA, 1971

Six were delivered in 1971 with Dark Green,
Dark Sea Gray and Light Aircraft Gray
undersides. Five were still in use
in 1988.

Mk 80, ROYAL SAUDI AIR FORCE, RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA, 1973

The white on green flag inscription on the fin
reads “There is no God but Allah, and
Muhammad is the Prophet of Allah.”
Unit codes are in both Arabic
and Roman numerals.
, GENERAL DYNAMICS F-lll
All-weather bomber; capable of delivering laser-guided bombs thousands of miles from its base, the F-lll underwent a stormy
development; the F-lllB was ordered by the US Navy as a carrier-based aircraft but then canceled; production reached 562.

F-111F, 493rd TACTICAL FIGHTER SQUADRON, 48th TFW, USAF. LAKENHEATH, UK, 1983
The ultimate model, with more powerful
engines than previous versions and more
advanced avionics. In the April 1986 attack
on Libya. 13 F-lllFs took part, some using
20001b laser-guided bombs carried underwing,
as shown in this view. One aircraft was lost
on the operation, code-named
“El Dorado Canyon.”

F-111C, 1 and 6 SQUADRONS, ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE, AMBERLEY, AUSTRALIA. 1984
A8-146 is one of 24 C versions purchased
by the raaf. It combines the basic F-111A
airframe, engines and avionics with the long-
span wings of the FB-111A bomber. This
example has SE Asia camouflage with
miniaturized insignia and unit
lightning flash
on the fin.

EF-lllA, 366th TACTICAL FIGHTER WING, USAF, MOUNTAIN HOME AFB, USA, 1982
Grumman converted 42 F-lll As into the
defense and electronic-warfare EF-111A
nicknamed “Electric Fox" and officially called
Raven. Finished in the two-tone gray scheme,
a number of aircraft are also based in the UK
to support European F-111A operations. Note
the TAC badge on the rudder
and unit badge
by the cockpit.
 NORTH AMERICAN/ROCKWELL OV-10

OV-lOA, VMO-6, US MARINE CORPS, PACIFIC AREA, LATE 1970s

Outstanding visibility for the crew is one of
the Bronco’s most obvious features as the
side-views emphasize. On the nose of this ^ jg_ ^
aircraft is the unit’s “Tomcat” badge, while IStt
the red triangle under the cockpit 1 Bti __
indicates that ejection seats are *f*^‘*lr*
fitted. IgHBSPhSSH

OV-lOA, 601st TACTICAL CONTROL WING, USAF, SEMBACH, WEST GERMANY, 1981
The so-called “Lizard scheme” of two greens
and a gray designed for application to tactical , - .gggEBHBMuwBy.
aircraft based in Europe from the late 1970s. vV-As»jl
The lion badge is that of 315 Sqn of the « igjt|| '<■
Royal Netherlands Air Force, ‘ JH
acquired unofficially .J *■ i
during an exchange visit. -k9Nw^ ~

OV-lOA, 20th TACTICAL AIR SUPPORT SQUADRON, 601st TCW, USAF, SEMBACH
WEST GERMANY, 1980
Standard gray FAC scheme with a lOin
fuselage star, repeated above the port upper _
wing surface and lower starboard, 6in high "-
number/letter combination on the fin and If'! |Mf
a 3in wide propeller warning band /Erfl 1 f“r
on the side of the fuselage. ®
138
BEECH KING AIR
Liaison, communications and trainer; the American Beech-built King Air succeeded the Queen Air of the 1960s and an updated,
larger Super King Air followed, which could seat 14 in its pressurized cabin.

T-44A, TAW-4 UNITED STATES NAVY, NAS CORPUS CHRISTI, USA, 1977
The US Navy bought more than 60 of these
executive “twins" for multi-engine training
replacing old, expensive piston-engined
aircraft. The gloss red and white scheme is a
safety measure, but also provides an attractive
finish.

C-12A, US AIR FORCE, ISLAMABAD. PAKISTAN, 1986

A total of 30 of these Super King Air Model
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
200s were bought for attache and military
assistance advisory missions throughout the
world. Other variants in use include the C-
12F, the C-12J version of the Beech 1900
airliner and the US Army's C-12A Huron.

RC-12D, MILITARY INT. BATTALION, US ARMY, SOUTH KOREA, 1987

Code-named Guardrail V and used for
battlefield reconnaissance, this electronic
warfare-configured "twin" is a good example
of how changed some previously-inocuous
looking executive can become. All but
anonymous, the aircraft is finished in medium
gray.
 MIKOYAN-GUREVICH MiG-23/MiG-27
Fighter/fighter bomber; various versions known as the ‘Flogger’ series; the MiG Bureau delivered the variable geometry MiG-23
Soviet Air Force in the early 1970s; the MiG-27, was called the ‘Flogger D' and there have been many types in service.

MiG-23 “FLOGGER G,” SOVIET AIR FORCE, KUBINKA AB, MOSCOW, 1978
Green, brown and tan best sums up the
tactical camouflage on this machine. The
ventral fin on the Flogger series folds through
90° for landing and take-off.

MiG-27 “FLOGGER D,” SOVIET FORCES, EAST GERMANY, 1978

Compared with the fighter versions, this
attack aircraft has a sharply tapering nose to
give the pilot better visibility. On the
wing pylon of this aircraft is a multiple
ejector rack for bombs, and there are
other weapon pylons under
the fuselage and on each side
behind the wing. ■

MiG-23BM “FLOGGER F,” CZECHOSLOVAK AIR FORCE, PARDUBICE, CZECHOSLOVAKIA, 1980

This is the attack version of the interceptor,
designed for export customers. It retains the
basic airframe but incorporates a new chisel
nose for the attack role (note the intake and
exhaust areas and compare them with
the Soviet Flogger D above). i
140
FOKKER F27
Transport or marine patrol; the turbine-engined Friendship has been sold to 63 countries and 25 air arms; the Dutch AF
version is known as ‘Troopship,’ while ‘Maritime’ is the designation of Fokker’s over-water patrol variant.

Mk 300M TROOPSHIP, 334 SQUADRON, ROYAL NETHERLANDS AIR FORCE, SOESTERBERG, NETHERLANDS, 1975
Twelve aircraft were delivered to the rnaf in 1960-1, including
three Mk 100s, each initially capable of troop and cargo use. Some
were later converted to other roles, including
C-5 which was camouflaged in green
and gray in 1971 and changed to
become a navigation trainer.

Mk 400M, TRANSPORT SQUADRON, FINNISH AIR FORCE, UTTI, FINLAND, 1985

This is one of three aircraft used for most of
the logistic tasks with the air arm. In addition
to the freight door forward, large rear doors
permit paradrops from both sides of the
aircraft. The other two machines are
coded FF-1 and FF-2.

Mk 400, SENEGAMBIA AIR FORCE, DAKAR, SENEGAMBIA, 1986

Six F27s were bought in the late 1970s for
transport duties when the air arm was the
Senegalese Air Force. Senegal has since 6W-STB
merged with The Gambia to form one
country. Like a number of military
transport fleets, this one has
civil registrations applied
to its aircraft.
 AEROSPATIALE/WESTLAND PUMA
Transport helicopter; prototype flew in 1965, being designed to meet French Air Force requirements; versions of the type, including the
improved performance Super Puma, have been ordered by 25 armed forces and can seat up to 16 troops.

HC Mk 1, 230 SQUADRON, RAF GUTERSLOH, WEST GERMANY, 1982

Special events call for special markings. In
this case, the tiger motif in its badge qualified
the squadron for attendance at the
1982 Tiger Meet,
calling for a color
scheme with a difference.
A good effect by the ground crew
who had to return the aircraft
to its standard scheme >
after the event.

AS.332L, EJERCITO DE CHILE, TOBALADA, CHILE, 1986

Main identifying features of the Super Puma
are the additional fin under the tail,
larger main wheel
sponsons and a
more pointed nose. This
is one of three purchased in
1983, of which two survive.
 BOEING CH-47 CHINOOK
Medium transport helicopter; the US Army required the twin-rotor Chinook in Vietnam for its battlefield mobility and few were lost;
two versions are in production, the CH-47D, and derivatives like the special forces version, the MH-47E; it has sold worldwide.

CH-47C, UNITED STATES, ARMY, TAN SON NHUT, VIETNAM, 1972

Dubbed "The Hook" (and less printable
nicknames) by the GIs in SE Asia, the
Chinook provided the important heavy airlift
required by the war in the South. Olive Drab
overall was standard, as was the forward
hatch-mounted MG.

HC Mk 1,18 SQUADRON, RAF; PORT SAN CARLOS,

FALKLAND ISLANDS, JUNE 1982
“Bravo November" was the sole survivor of
the Exocet attack on the Atlantic Conveyor
container ship on 25 May 1982. Camouflaged
in Dark Green and Dark Sea Gray, this
machine flew almost continuously until the
Argentine surrender some three weeks later.
The call-sign letter BN appeared on the front
and rear rotor pylon in black.

CH-47C, ROYAL MOROCCAN AIR FORCE,

RABAT, MOROCCO, 1988
A desert sand and stone camouflage was
applied to the 12 Italian-built Chinooks
delivered for logistic support along the
country’s borders. Note the five-letter code
above the tail emblem.
 SUKHOI Su-7
Single-seat fighter or two-seat trainer; the Su-7’s greatest asset is its rugged simplicity because the ‘Fitter’ lacked both the range and
weapon load to be a successful warplane; Sukhoi later designed more efficient swing-wing aircraft - the Su-17, -20 and -22 series.

Su-7BMK, V-VS [SOVIET AIR FORCE), TRANS-BAIKAL MILITARY DISTRICT, USSR, 1978
Wearing a tactical camouflage of dark green,
earth, and light blue, this Soviet-operated
“Fitter A” carries two 600-liter drop-tanks on
the fuselage pylons and UV-16-57 rocket pods
under the wings.

Su-7UM, EGYPTIAN AIR FORCE, CAIRO WEST AIRFIELD, EGYPT, 1976

To give conversion training on the type, the
two-seat -7UM was produced. The instructor
in the rear seat uses a periscope to see ahead,
but his view remains limited. “Moujik"

pear
(peasant) is the West's name
for the trainer version. - ——f~——-

Su-7BM, ALGERIAN AIR FORCE, 1977

Another of the Soviet Union’s Middle Eastern
export clients. Algeria received about 20 of the
“Fitter A” version. The pod at the base of the
rudder is the tail parachute housing; by the
wing-root gun is a steel
anti-blast panel to
protect the fuselage skin.
 GRUMMAN F-14 TOMCAT
Carrier-based fighter; the latest addition to Grumman’s ‘cat' family, the F-14 entered service in 1972 and over 600 have been delivered;
regular improvements have been effected to the engines (from TF30s to Fl 10 turbofans), radar, avionics, and armament.

F-14A, VF-32 US NAVY, USS JOHN F. KENNEDY, MID-1970S

Combat proven and victor in a few short,
sharp exchanges with Libyan Soviet-made
MiG-23 Floggers and Su-22 Fitters,
the F-14 is heavily advantaged
with its long-range radar
and associated Phoenix
missiles. Every safety¬
conscious, the Navy insisted on a
whole range of stencil instructions to be applied
to the airframe, an example of which is visible
on the nose.

F-14A, VF-1 “WOLFPACK,” US NAVY, NELLIS AFB, USA, 1977

Aviation artist Keith Ferris devised this
experimental finish, designed to break up the
outline of the F-14. Three shades of gray in
hard-edged splinter style were used, and in
some cases no markings were
applied. Several aircraft
took part in the trials,
others coming from
VF-2 and VX-4. The schemes
have not been adopted to date.

F-14A, VF-103 “SLUGGERS,” US NAVY, USS SARATOGA, 1983

Gray outline markings, subdued unit tail
insignia, but a black 211 on the nose with the
last two digits repeated at the tip of the fin for
identification when parked on deck.
The number is also repeated
on the flaps, so that
“flyco” on the island
can identify the aircraft a.
it moves to the catapult for
launching.
 MIL Mi-24 HIND
ed with either
-A*, ordnance.

Mi-24 (HIND D), SOVIET ARMEISKAYA AVIATSIYA

USSR, 1984 . -- ■■
Factory-applied sand and stone camouflage appears
as standard on most Soviet-operated Hinds, ^
although green sometimes replaces the
darker color. A tail-rotor warning is .
applied on the rear fuselage, and /'^C jH| oriACHi

on the boom is
the aircraft '
number in vellou p jMSSo

Mi-24 (HIND D), AFGHAN REPUBLICAN AIR

FORCE, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN, 1985
Hinds flew extensively as
convoy escorts and also on lS
search-and-destroy missions in
the mountains.
The advent of s,
Stinger and Blowpipe ■'
SAMs forced crews
to stay out of
the missiles’ range.

Mi-24 (HIND D), IRAQI AIR FORCE, BAGHDAD

IRAQ, 1985
For operations against Iranian forces ^g00§
this Iraqi Hind has been given an
additional national flag marking .
on the forward
fuselage. .._-_
presumably to aid “ii
identification over the
battlefield. Wx~w, - 1“
146
DASSAULT MIRAGE F.l
Interceptor-fighter-bomber; like its delta-winged Mirage III predecessor, Dassault’s Mirage F.l has enjoyed considerable export
success, with many of the 730 manufactured going to ten international air arms as well as to the French Air Force.

F.lCE, ESCUADRON 141, ALA DE CAZA 14, SPANISH AIR FORCE, ALBACETE, SPAIN, 1980
May 1975 and 04 was one of the first batch of
aircraft delivered to Spain, the second nation
to order the interceptor. Internal armament of
the F.l consists of two 30mm cannon located
under the intakes.

F.1CZ, 3 SQUADRON, SOUTH AFRICAN AIR FORCE, WATERKLOOF, SA, 1980

The first Mirage F.ls for South Africa arrived
in April 1975, but not until 19 months later
were they publicly acknowledged to be in
service. As well as the fighters, some ground-
attack versions were also received, both types
having this Olive Drab, Deep Buff, Light
Admiralty Gray scheme.

F.lEQ, IRAQI AIR FORCE, BAGHDAD, IRAQ, 1987

More than 120 Mirages have been purchased
by Iraq and the type conducted thousands of
sorties against Iran. Some were specially
equipped to fire Exocet missiles; others have
been adapted to use Soviet armaments in the
air-to-ground role. This example
carries a French Magic_
AAM.
 McDonnell douglas f/a-is hornet
Multi-role combat jet; the twin-engined Hornet was developed from the Northrop YF-17, flying in prototype form in November 1978;
carrier-capable it entered the US Navy and Marine service in 1980, subsequently being ordered by Australia, Canada, and Spain.

F-18A, VFA-131, CARRIER AIR WING 7, USS DWIGHTD. EISENHOWER, 1990

The latest US Navy scheme on an F-18A of VFA-131 'Wildcats’
in June 1990. The undersurface color (36495) has
replaced with an overall finish of Light Compass
Ghost Gray used previously only on

w _.

F/A-18, US MARINE CORPS, EL TORO, CALIFORNIA, MID-1980S

Painted in the early ‘low viz’ scheme which dates the
illustration to pre-1988. The lower surfaces are
Gray (36495), the top surfaces Light
Compass Ghost Gray and the
anti-glare panel forward of
the cockpit is Gray-Blue.
VAMFA-531 is appropriately named
‘Gray Ghosts.’

CF-18A, 409 TACTICAL FIGHTER SQUADRON, BADEN SOLLINGEN, GERMANY, 1990

Apart from the unusual full-color unit badge on the fins
this aircraft of the ‘Nighthawk’ squadron has the
standard scheme of Gray-Blue
(FS.595a: 35327) uppersurfaces
Light Compass Ghost Gray
undersurfaces (36375) and
a Sea Gray (36118) false canopy g
under the nose.
148
McDonnell douglas f-is eagle
I' ighter; designed to replace the Phantom, the Eagle is the USAF’s primary air superiority fighter; five versions have been produced:
F-15A and C are single-seaters, B and D two-seaters, and E two-seat fighter and interdiction; 1266 manufactured in total.

F-15A, 5lh FIGHTER INTERCEPTOR SQUADRON, USAF, MINOT AFB, USA, t986
Third US air defense squadron to receive
F-15s in June 1985, the 5th FIS applied this
decorative finish over the Compass Gray
scheme. On the fin is the TAG (Tactical Air
Command) badge and behind the engine
intake is the unit badge. The external
fuel tank holds 600 US gal.

F-15E, McDonnell douglas, st louis, ms, December i986

First prototype "Strike Eagle” in the markings
applied for early trials. The first operational
usaf unit is the 4th TFW at Seymour Johnson
AFB, SC. usaf plans to procure
a total of 392 F-15Es.

F-15A, 133 SQUADRON, ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCE/AIR FORCE, ISRAEL, 1977

One of the first F-15s to be delivered to the
idf/af, this example carries Sparrow and
Sidewinder missiles, both weapons
used to some effect against
Syrian MiGs.
 LOCKHEED S-3 VIKING 149

Carrier-based submarine hunter; the standard fixed-wing aircraft with US Navy ASW squadrons; the
‘computer with wings’
has wings and fin which fold and a retractable MAD boonr at the tail for carrier storage; in all, 187
were made.

S-3A, VS-38, CVW-2, USS “RANGER,” US NAVY, USA, 1987

Light Compass Gray is the latest scheme for
usn Vikings and bright colors have been
eliminated from all surfaces (even the
important rescue stenciling has been toned
down).

S-3A. VS-32, CVW-1, USS "JOHNFKENNEDY,"

US NAVY, USA, LATE 1970s
The tail codes relate to the Carrier Air Wing
to which the unit is assigned, not to the
squadron. In this case AB would also have
been applied to aircraft of other units in the
same ship.

US-3A, VS-38, CVW-14, USS “CORAL SEA," US NAVY, USA, EARLY 1980s
This cargo or COD version was first trialed in
1980 and four were in service by 1983. On the
wing pylons are streamlined freight pods, in
this case appropriately named and decorated.
150
BRITISH AEROSPACE HAWK
Advanced trainer and attack aircraft; the RAF introduced the Hawk to replace the Gnat and Hunter types, and ten air arms across four
continents have ordered them; T-45 Goshawks, for the US Navy, and Hawk 200 single seaters have also been developed.

T Mk 1, NO 1 TACTICAL WEAPONS UNIT,

RAF BRAWDY, UK, 1980
Bearing the “shadow squadron” insignia of
234 Sqn, this aircraft has the standard matt
Dark Green and Dark Sea Gray camouflage for
the low-level tactical training role. The serial
number is repeated in white on the fin.

Crest of the Tactical

Weapons Unit

T Mk 1A, NO 2 TACTICAL WEAPONS UNIT, RAF CHIVENOR, UK, 1985

Satin-finish Medium Sea Gray with Barley
Gray undersides is the low-visibility finish for
this Sidewinder-armed aircraft. The insignia is
pink and light blue. Note that Hawks wired to
fire Sidewinder missiles are
designated T Mk 1 A.

T-45 GOSHAWK, US NAVY, 1987

Early impression of the Gloss White and
Orange-colored future Navy trainer. The actual
machine has undergone a number of changes
to the airframe since this drawing, but the
colors are believed to be
substantially correct.
 FAIRCHILD A-10
Ground attack; the A-10 ‘Warthog’s’ two engines are in an unusual position to reduce the effect of heat emissions attracting infra-red
missiles, the widely-spaced fins, and massive wings, which carry up to seven tons of ordnance, make the aircraft easily recognizable.

YA-10, US AIR FORCE, EDWARDS AFB, USA, LATE 1976

The second prototype, with the port wing and
outside port fins painted white for photo¬
graphic orientation in spinning tests.
On the nose is a test probe, and
USAFII370

►
the fin shape
is different from that
eventually adopted for
production aircraft. : I
A-10A, 354th TACTICAL FIGHTER WING, USAF, MYRTLE BEACH, USA, 1977
This was the scheme chosen after the
camouflage trials as standard for all
production aircraft from serial No 75-280
onwards. All markings were dulled
with black outline “star and
bar," badges, rescue and
maintenance stenciling
and the unit/base code
on the fin.

A-10A, 23rd TACTICAL FIGHTER WING, USAF, ENGLAND AFB, USA, 1983
When the light gray finish was found to be
too contrasting “down among the trees,” the
so-called Lizard scheme was adopted and still
exists on A-lOs. The shark-mouth
surrounds the 30mm seven-barreled
cannon, while on the fin tip is
the squadron color. Lizard
color reference to FS595a:
Green (34103), Green
(34092), Gray (36081).
152
SIKORSKY H-60
Ground support helicopter; orders for the combat survivable replacement for the Bell UH-1 Huey exceeding 2700 have been received
from 12 countries (2253 for the US Army); the Black Hawkor naval-based Seahawk can carry 11 soldiers or an 80001b under slung load.

UH-60A, 421st AVIATION BATTALION, US ARMY, W GERMANY, 1983

In a medevac-configuration, a four-litter
assembly is mounted —. “
around a centrally-located pedestal which rotates to
facilitate loading and unloading. Black Hawks
received their baptism of fire during the
US invasion of Grenada in 1983,
sustaining ground-fire damage on
a number of occasions. Of 32
deployed, only one was lost.

SH-60B, HSL-43. US NAVY, NORTH ISLAND, USA, 1986

Low visibility Compass
Gray is the current scheme for Seahawks with compatible
insignia such as the TT unit code on the fin
and aircraft number on the nose. In the
main cabin is a highly-skilled
sensor operator working a
range of electronic equipment
designed to detect and kill
submarines, while the
pilot and co-pilot
share the front cockpit.

XSH-60J, JAPANESE MARITIME SELF-DEFENSE FORCE, MITSUBISHI WORKS, JAPAN, 1987

To begin replacing the current fleet
of Sea Kings, the imsdf
has ordered an initial batch of 12 Seahawks following
delivery of two machines from Sikorsky
for trials purposes. Coded 01. this i
the first of the two helicopters
and carries the Gloss White-
Gull Gray usn scheme.
 WESTLAND LYNX

HAS, Mk 3,815 SQUADRON, RNAS

PORTLAND, UK, 1988
The overall scheme of semi-gloss Dark Sea
Gray has proved ideal for over-water flying.
The letters “PO” are Portland base initials.

HAS. Mk 2 (FN) FLOTTILLE 31F, FRENCH

AERONAVALE, LANVEOC-POULMIC, 1987
This example has an overall dark
blue-gray finish, with the unit *
badge beneath the cockpit
side window.

Mk 21,1 ESQUADRAO DE HELICOPTEROS

ANTI-SUBMARINOS, BRAZILIAN NAVY,
SAO PAULO DE ALDEIA, 1987
Nine Lynx were bought by Brazil of which
eight are in service. The finish > _
MARINHA^ N-3024
is semi-matt.
 ' ' ■_GENERAL DYNAMICS F-16_
Fighter; the F-16 will probably go down in history as the fighter of the 1980s; single and two-seat versions are both combat capable, and its
distinctive, diminutive-tailed delta shape symbolizes western air defense; more than 3000 aircraft have been ordered by 16 air forces.

F-16A, 8th TACTICAL FIGHTER WING, USAF, KUNSAN AB, SOUTH KOREA, 1986
The C is steadily replacing the older A series
aircraft and this unit has now re-equipped. By
the cockpit is the “Wolfpack” marking next to
the unit badge. National markings are toned
down although the tail codes and serial
remain black. Camouflage colours:
(dark) Gray (3611H),
(medium) Gray (36270),
(light) Gray (36375).

Plan view of the top colour

demarcation used by most F-16
operations.

F-16B, TACTICAL AIR COMMAND, USAF, HILL AFB, USA, 1980

Aircraft 79-0096 was used to evaluate the
“Lizard” camouflage scheme of two greens and
gray for possible use by F-l6 units in
Europe. To date this has not
been adopted.
 155

F-16A, 306 SQUADRON, ROYAL NETHERLANDS AIR FORCE, VOLKEL, NETHERLANDS, 1982
This unit is assigned the tactical
reconnaissance role alongside 311 and 312
Sqn at the same base. The unit's eagle head
badge is applied to the fin,
and below is the aircraft
number prefixed bv the letter J which
relates specifically to the F-16 in RNethAF
nomenclature.

F-16C, REPUBLIC OF KOREA AIR FORCE, SOUTH KOREA, 1988

Pending a decision on its future fighter, the
rokaf has ordered 30 single seat C versions
and six D combat-trainers. To date, the aircraft
have been delivered in the gray
air-superiority scheme, but_
this SE Asia finish is likely if the
aircraft revert to the attack role.

F-16A, ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCE/AIR FORCE, ISRAEL, 1980

“Cafe-au-lait" is the idf/af nickname for this
disruptive desert finish applied to a number of
types including the F-16s. For security purposes
the aircraft numbers are regularly
changed to prevent strength
assessment by unfriendly neighbors.
To date, 210 F-16s have been ordered by Israel.
 PA NAVI A TORNADO
Fighter interceptor/fighter-bomber; one of the most successful international programs in aerospace history, it was developed
Germany, and Italy to meet a common requirement; total orders have reached 929 including Saudi Arabia and Oman.

GR Mk 1,9 SQUADRON, RAF HONINGTON, UK, 1985

Previously flying Vulcans, this unit with its
famous bat insignia was the first kaf
squadron to convert to Tornados. The Dark
Green/Dark Sea Gray camouflage wraps around
the whole aircraft apart from the black
nosecone. Total KAFGRMk 1 orders in 1989
stood at 255.

TORNADO, 7 SQUADRON, ROYAL SAUDI AIR FORCE, DHAHRAN, SAUDI ARABIA, 1986
Sand, stone and green are the camouflage
colors of the first 48 aircraft on order for this
Arab air arm. All machines carry the
squadron number as a prefix to the tail
number. The wing insignia is applied
to the port upper and starboard
lower positions, with the
initials ksaf in the opposing positions.

F Mk 2,229 OCU, RAF CONINGSBY, UK, 1986

One of the initial 18 fighter versions which
preceded the definitive F Mk 3. Armament of
the air defense variant consists of Skyflash
and Sidewinder AAMs and an internal 27mm
cannon. The pale Barley Gray finish is
standard on all operational machines.
The F.2s will be updated to F.3
standard and will be
 MIKOYAN-GUREVICH MiG-29 FULCRUM 157
Fighter; Russia s current front-line tactical supersonic fighter, it was designed by the Mikoyan bureau; armed with a 30mm cannon and a
range ot air-to-air guided missiles carried underwing, the ‘Fulcrum’ is capable of Mach 2 and has a look down/shoot down radar.

MiG-29 (FULCRUM C), SOVIET AIR FORCE, LATE 1980s

Identified by the enlarged dorsal hump containing avionics. The aircraft wears the badge of a Soviet
Air Force Guards Regiment on its engine intake and
carries the standard three weapons pylons
under each wing.

MiG-29, YUGOSLOVENSKO RATNO VAZDUHOPLOVSIVO, LATE 1980s

The Yugoslav Air Force received the first of an
initial batch of 14 MiG-29s and two UB
trainers in late-1987. In
Yugoslav service they
are known
as L.18s
and carry standard Soviet-style
camouflage.

MiG-29 UB, EAST GERMAN AIRFORCE, JAGDFLIEGERGESCHWADER 3, PRESCHEN, 1983

Jagdfliegergeschwader 3 received four
MiG-29UB Fulcrum B trainers in 1988.
Following reunification, aircraft
148 retained its three-color
camouflage and
was given the
Luftwaffe code 29 + 21.
158 INDEX
A Blue Fox radar 118 F-102 (‘Deuce’) 108 Essex, USS 71
Aden cannon 101 Boeing: F-106 114 Exocet missile 146
Aeronavale 27 B-17 Flying Fortress 30 Coral Sea, USS 149
Aerospatiale: B-29 Superfortress 9, 84 Cruise missile 97 F
Alouette/III 122 B-47 9,96 Curtiss: Fairchild:
Aerospatiale/Westland: B-52 Stratofortress 97 P-40 Hawk/Kittyhawk/Tomahawk/ A-10 (‘Warthog’) 131,151
Puma 141 CH-47 Chinook ('The Hook’) 132,142 Warhawk 55 Fairey:
Super Puma 141 P-26 (‘Peashooter’) 19 SBC-3/4 Helldiver 27 Battle 34
Afghanistan War 145 Boulton & Paul company 12 Swordfish Mark I 24
Afrika Korps 33, 35, 36 Boulton Paul Defiant 48 D Falklands War 116,117,118
Air National Guard: see US Air Force Brewster Buffalo 58 Daimler-Benz DB601 engine 61 ‘Black Buck' bombing missions 109
Albatros DV 13 Bristol: Dakota: see Douglas DC-3 Fiat CR.42 50
Allison engines 75 Beaufighter 52 Dassault: Fieseler Fi 156 Storch 36
‘Aquatone’: see Lockheed U-2 Blenheim Mk I 20 Mirage III 117 ‘Fighting Cocks’ squadron (RAF Fighter
Arctic Convoy PQ13 56 Blenheim Mk IV/Bolingbroke 37 Mirage F.l 108,146 Command) 101,121
Argus engines 54 Bulldog 15 Dassault-Breguet company 129 Flashar, O/Ltn R. 13
Ark Royal, HMS 24 Bristol engines: Dedalo (Spanish navy carrier) 119 Fleet Air Arm 24, 83
Armstrong Whitworth: Centaurus 83 De Havilland: FLIRD (Forward-Looking Infra-Red
Whitley 38 Mercury 21 Mosquito 68 Doppler) navigation system 133
ASW (anti-submarine warfare) aircraft Pegasus 57 Vampire/Mistral 90 Fokker:
104,120, 149, 153 British Aerospace: De Havilland engines: Dr 114
Avro: Harrier 117 H-l turbo-jet 86 F-27 Friendship (‘Troopship’,
504/504R (Gosport) 10 Hawk 9,125, 150 'Desert Storm’, Operation 8 ‘Maritime’) 140
Lancaster 76—7 Hawk 200 150 Dornier Do 17 (‘Flying Pencil’) 31 Focke-Wulf:
Manchester 76 Sea Harrier 118,119 Douglas: Fw 190 66
Vulcan 9,109,117,156 Strikemaster 125,135 A-26 Invader 82 Fw 200 40
T-45 Goshawk 150 AD-1 Skyraider 89 Franco, General Francisco 23, 35
B DC-3 22
Battle of Britain 25 C A-20 Boston/Havoc 46 G
Baumer, O/Ltn Paul 13 C-47: see Douglas DC-3 Dauntless 59 Galland, Geschwaderkommodore Adolf
Beech: CASA company (Spain) 130 Duke, Fig Off Neville 55 32
King Air 138 Chance-Vought: Dwight D. Eisenhower, USS 147 General Dynamics:
Queen Air 138 F-8 Crusader 111, 131 F-16 154-5
Super King Air 138 Chennault, Claire 55 E F-lll 136
Bell: Cochrane, Col Philip 75 Eastern Front (USSR) 50, 54 German Air Service 8
P-39 Airacobra 70 ‘Coke-bottle curve’: see Convair F-102 ECM (electronic countermeasures) Germany 9
UH-1 Iroquois (‘Huey’) 126,152 ‘Cold War’ 9 systems 103 Glorious, HMS 24
Bismarck (battleship) 24 Consolidated: Emperor, HMS 67 Gloster:
Blackburn: B-24 Liberator 62 English Electric: Gauntlet II 21
Firebrand 83 PBY Catalina 47 Canberra 123 Gladiator 28
Buccaneer 123 Constellation, USS 127 Lighining 113 Meteor 88
Blohm und Voss: Convair: Enterprise, USS 127 Gnome-Rhone 14M engine 54
Bv 138 56 B-36 92 128 ‘Grand Slam’ bomb 77
 159

Grigoryev, Capt Gerasim 73 Hispano-Suiza engines 11, 41 Electra 120 Bf 109 20, 29, 32-3,41,66
Grumman: Hitler, Adolf 40 F-104 Starfighter 134 Bf 110 44
A-6 Intruder 128 HOT wire-guided missiles 130 F-117 9 Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm BO105
Avenger 53 Hughes: Hudson 45 130
F6F Hellcat 67 OH-6/500 (‘Cayuse’/'Loach’) 112 Neptune 85 Midway, Battle of 39, 53, 58
F9F Panther/Cougar 94 Hunter, Sqn Ldr Philip 48 P-3 Orion 120 Mikoyan-Gurevich:
F-14 Tomcat 18,144 Hunting Jet Provost 135 P-38 Lightning 74 MiG-15 87, 91,100
G-5 18 P-80 86 MiG-21 (‘Fishbed’) 106
Hellcat 53, 67 I RB-34 Lexington 65 MiG-23 (‘Flogger’) 139,144
S-2E Tracker 103 Ilyushin: S-3 Viking 149 MiG-27 (‘Flogger D') 139
XFF 1 18 11-2 Stormovik 78 S-3A Viking 120 MiG-29 (‘Fulcrum’) 106,157
Grumman company: Imperial War Museum (London) 14 Super-Electra 45 Mil Mi-24 (‘Hind’) 145
F-111A conversion 136 Independence, USS 127,128 U-2 107 Missiles, anti-ship:
‘Grunherz’ Luftwaffe fighter unit 66 Italy 9 Lockheed-Georgia company 104 Henschel Hs 293 40
GSh-23L cannon 106 fasces insignia 9 Lufthansa 31 Mitsubishi:
Gulf War 97,123,128
A6 Zero-Sen 51, 58, 67, 70
r M G4M ‘Betty’ 64
H John F. Kennedy, USS 144,149 Macchi: Morane-SaulnierM.S.406 41
Handley Page: Junkers: M.C.202 ‘Folgore’ 61
Hampden 38 Ju 52 23 M.C.205 61 N
Victor 9 Ju 87 ('Stuka’) 35 MAD (Magnetic Anomaly Detector) 103, Nakajima Ki-49 Donryu 60
Harpoon missile 97 Ju 87D 54 149 NATO (North Atlantic Treaty
Hartmann, Erich 32 Ju 88 48, 49 Magic AAM (air-to-air missile) 117,146 Organization) 100
Hawker: Malta 49 Nord SSll (US M22) anti-tank missile
Demon 16 K Mannock, Major ‘Mick’ 11 126
Fury (1929) 17 Kearsage, USS 103 Marshall Company 104 North American:
Fury (1940s) 87 Kempf, Ltn Fritz 14 Martin: A-5 127
Hart 16, 34 King, Pit Off F.H, 48 B-26 Marauder 69 AT-6/Harvard 79
Hunter 101,150 Kittyhawk, USS 98 Baltimore 37 B-25 ('Mitchell') 63
Hurricane 29, 61 Klimov engines 41 Matra 530 AAM (air-to-air missile) 117 F-86 Sabre 91, 93
Sea Fury 87 Korean War 9, 84, 86, 87, 89, 91, 93, 94, M-B-B: see Messerschmitt-Bolkow- F-100 102
Sea Hurricane 29 100 Blohm P-51 Mustang 74, 75
Typhoon 83 McAfee, Major Henry 80 North American/Rockwell OV-10
Hawker Aircraft company 55 L McDonnell F-101 Voodoo 110 (‘Bronco’) 137
Hawker Siddeley (Folland) GnatT.l 150 LaGG-3 73 McDonnell Douglas: Northrop:
Heinkel He 111 25 Langley Field airbase 11 A-4 (‘Skyhawk’) 98-9 B-2 9
Henschel, Gruppenkommandeur ‘Les Cicognes’ (Storks) fighter unit 41 F-4 Phantom 9,100,148 F-5 124-5
Hauptmann 32 Lewis guns 11 F-4 Phantom II110, 121 YF-17 147
Henschel Hs 129 54 Lexington, USS 18, 58 F-15 Eagle 148
Hermes HMS 118 Liesendahl, O/Ltn 33 F-18 Hornet 117 o
Hindustan Aeronautics company Lockheed: F/A-18 Hornet 147 Oberursel engines 14
(India) 122 B-34/PV-1 Ventura 65 McEwen, Capt C. M. 12 Older, Charles 55
Hiryu, Imp. Japanese Navy aircraft 51 C-130 Hercules 104 Messerschmitt: Oleislagen, Jan 12
160

P Fighter Command 101 Seafire 42 Vulcan cannon 105

PaK 40 cannon 54 Royal Flying Corps (RFC) 8, 9,10 Spitfire 33, 42-3, 80
Panavia Tornado 9,125,156 Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) 10,11 W
Peace Wings operation 110 Royal Navy (RN) 24, 87,118,123 T Westland:
Pearl Harbor (Hawaiian Islands) 51, 58, Rumey, Ltn Fritz 13 TACAMO (Take Charge and Move Out) Lynx 153
59 missions 104 Sea King 116. See also Sikorsky SH-3
Petlyakov PE-2 72 S Tactical Bombing Competition (RAF Sea King
Phoenix missile 144 Saab Draken 115 Lossiemouth, 1977) 131 Wild Weasel I SAM (surface-to-air
Pokryshkin, Major Alexander 70 SAM (surface-to-air missiles) 101 Taranto (Italy) 24 missile) 101
Pratt & Whitney engines: Stinger 145 Terrain reflectance value (TRV) 9 Wild Weasel III 105
Double Wasp 69 Blowpipe 145 Tiger Meet (1982) 141 Wolseley Viper engine 11
Twin Wasp 57 Saratoga, USS 144 TOW anti-armor missile 153 Wright engines:
Wasp Major 92 Savoia-Marchetti S.M.79 26 Tumanski R-ll engine 106 Cyclone 18
Princetown, USS 67 S.E.5a 10 R-1300 95
Sea Skua missile 153 U
R Sepecat Jaguar 129 US Air Force (USAF): X
Radar systems: Shchipov, Yuri 73 Air National Guard 105,114 XM-3 rocket launcher 126
FuG 200 Hohentwiel (search) 40 Short Sunderland 57 Strategic Air Command 9, 96, 97
Radar-absorbing paint 9 Sidewinder AAM (air-to-air missile) Strategic Reconnaissance Wing 107 Y
Randolph, USS 53, 67 148,150,156 Tactical Air Command 102,148 Yorktown, USS 27
Ranger, USS 39,131,149 AIM-9 124 US Air Service (USAS) 11
Regia Aeronautica (Italian Air Force) SIGINT (signals intelligence) 96 US Marine Corps (USMC) 94, 98, 111,
26,36,50,61 Sikorsky: 119,121, 132, 137
Aerosiluranti 26 CH-53/S-65 (‘Super Jollies') 132-3 US Navy (USN) 18, 58, 65, 94, 95, 98,
Republic: H-60 Blackhawk/Seahawk 152 104,121,131, 138
F-84 100 S-55 95 Fighter Weapons School 124
F-105 (‘Thud’) 105 SH-3 Sea King 152. See also Westland UV-16-57 rockets 143
P-47 Thunderbolt 80-1 Sea King
Richthofen, Rittmeister Manfred von 14 Skyflash AAM (air-to-air missile) 156 V
Rolls-Royce engines: Skytrain: see Douglas DC-3 Valmet company 115
Avon 101 Sopwith Camel 12 V bombers 109
Merlin 34, 68, 75, 76 Spanish Civil War 31, 35 Vickers:
Nene 93 Sparrow AAM (air-to-air missile) 148 Valiant 9
Pegasus 119 Stalingrad (USSR) 23 Wellington 38
Spey 131 'Stealth' aircraft 9 Vickers guns 11
Viper 135 Steindl, Ltn 32 Vietnam, North:
Royal Aerospace Establishment Student, General Kurt 23 Viet Cong bases 9
(Farnborough) 8 Sukhoi: Vietnam War 89,104,110, 111, 126,
Royal Aircraft Factory (Farnborough) 10 Su-7 ('Fitter', ‘Moujik’) 143 127,128
Royal Air Force (RAF): Su-17143 Vought:
Bomber Command 63 Su-20 143 A-7 Corsair 131
Coastal Command 30, 38, 40, 45, 57, Su-22 143,144 F4U Corsair 71
85 Supermarine: SB2U Vindicator 39
140 different aircraft featured from
the Sopwith Camel to the F-16

Contains over 400 superb full color

illustrations and photographs

The evolution of aircraft markings

and camouflage from 1914 to the
present day

Many different air forces included

from the USAF, US Navy and Marine
Corps to the Soviet Air Force

A practical, portable reference book

for the aircraft spotter and modeling
enthusiast

Written by one of the world’s leadi

experts on aircraft recognition
9780681414617
05/08/2017 12:36-2

Cower Illustrations: GREENBOROUGH ASSOCIATES ISBN O-bfll-Mmbl-A

Printed in Hong Kong