RBrown

Bf 109

Note that the paints were not mixed, i.e., blended together, but used in conjunction with one another; 71 could be substituted for 82 and 70 for 81. Thus the following combinations were permissible 70/82 and 71/81. The RLM had directed that stocks of RLM 70 and 71 to be used up before the new colors were employed, but recognized in some instances the manufacturer would be left with a residual stock of one of the two colors.

Here is a link to the 428th BS history/war diary.

Really exceptional!

Here is the image provided by Warbird without the annotation... One of the two Fw 190s at the center of the photograph was also captured in a well known color photo... and both in a short film clip, as shown in the following screen captures.

Here is W. Nr. 5628 formerly SG+GW. Note the Bf 109 E type fairing at the wing root...

According to Messerschmitt Bf 109 F, G, & K an Illustrated Study Jochen Prien & Peter Rodeike, the first G-6s came off the Messerschmitt Regensburg line in February 1943, commencing with W. Nr. 61313 to 16675. The first WFF machines also started production in February with W. Nr. 19093-19999. Note that the WFF production included some G-4 machines. The first Erla machines started production the following March with W. Nr. 15202-16000. Falcon's Messerschmitt Bf 109 Hanger has a lot of info but it is in German.

Fw 190 D-9 tail feathers, RLM 81/82 over 76...

Although there is a superficial resemblance between RLM 61 and 81 there is no real evidence for for the notion that the late war greens are the same as the early colors. There is substantial, but not conclusive, evidence that RLM 83 is blue, and this is irreconcilable with notion there is a relationship between the early and late colors. While it is almost certain that the earliest examples of the Do 335 were painted in the RLM 70/71 combination there is also photographic evidence of RLM 81/ 82 use on the Do 335...

For those following the discussion that don't have access to the Monogram Painting Guide here is a scan showing the Blue-Gray chip... According to the authors this paint was found on VS 9 and VS 111 propellers. This paint was used only for surface protection and had no relationship with RLM 83 which was intended only as a camouflage coating. Contemporaneous accounts describe RLM 83 as a Royal Blue.

RLM 81 and 82 were announced in a letter dated August 23, 1943, for the purpose of preparing aircraft manufacturers for the change from 70/71 to 81/82. On July 1, 1944 a communication from the RLM and the Commander in Chief of the Luftwaffe, directed the change to the new colors at the next convenient point in time. This communication additionally directed that existing stocks of 70 and 71 should be used up. Additionally any residual stock of either 70 or 71 could be paired with the new colors in the following combinations 70/82 and 71/81.

I do not think so, first RLM was designed specifically for Mediterranean Sea operations. Second if the paint was to be employed as camouflage why not order RLM 83 instead of 24? AFAIK its only reported use use in theaters other than the Med had involved an aircraft that had transferred from service in the Mediterranean.

Based on actual measurement a gallon of paint weighs about 12.3 pounds, or a bit over 5.7 kilograms. So 30 kilograms of paint would be about 5 gallons or just under 20 liters. This seems about right for markings for 13 Ju 88s.

With the introduction 81 and 82 a RLM decree permitted residual stocks of RLM 70 and 71 to be paired with RLM 82 and 81 respectively, that is, 70/82 or 71/81 combinations. It is interesting to note the NASM Fw 190 F was meticulously researched for its color history and found to be painted with extensive areas of RLM 70. This machine was originally constructed as a Fw 190 A-7, returned damaged, and rebuilt to F-8 specifications. I've posted a scan from The Official Painting Guide to German Aircraft 1935-1945 to illustrate. Note that the color chips displayed are specific to this particular machine.

Fantastic!