Let Let Let – Warplanes

In the late 1937 Yugoslavia began to receive first modern warplanes Do17K and Blenheim Mk.I. That was the beginning of the complete modernization of the Yugoslav aviation. The Royal Yugoslavian inventory slowly began to out date as well the front line types were Ikarus BH 33, Fury, IK-2, Breguet XIX, and Potez XXV, via Fokker F-39, Junkers G.24 and Dornier DoY. With new planes arrived new armament and equipment, modern power plants but also combat tactics had rapidly changed and Yugoslav aviation was becoming more of an offensive arm.

Yugoslav officials showed also an interest to introduce new camouflage colors and schemes which could be more capable for modern combat activities then previously used patterns. In the moment when equipping started, Yugoslav warplanes featured three operational camouflage patterns: overall grey, overall green and overall silver. For this purpose, he Yugoslav producer of paints and coats “Moster” from Zagreb, at lest had produced two colors- “Zelena” and “Siva”. For Zelena is very well known that this was licensed for French color Kaki and it might be supposed that the other one Siva could be licensed made French “Gris pour hydravions”. Even then, Yugoslavia still imported painting material and aircraft producers had its material for painting finally assembled planes. For example, “Ikarus” produced a batch of BH 33 fighters and delivered in overall zelena scheme. Paints for this batch were hand mixed in the same factory. Kaki color was available, as we could note, from Yugoslav producers, chart mix and original imported from France.

As a general replacement for all land plane was chosen a scheme with topside base green (or ochre) with ochre and brown patches, while lower side were grey, sky or silver. It is not known how exactly was chosen an option with these colors. Many years before, in the mid twenties, this kind of pattern was applied on domestic built Brandenburg trainers, but this pattern does not last for a long time, as well on the overhauls, all of them got overall green scheme. Reintroducing of this multi color pattern could be made under the influence of the foreign experts. In that time the Germans develop this kind of scheme and applied on the planes delivered to Spain and Finland. Similar pattern also appeared on the warplanes of the Netherlands and Czechoslovakia. Obviously, Germany and UK, gave the greater influence in the external appearance of warplanes of small European countries.

First model to be painted in this livery was Dornier Do17Ka-1, which first samples arrived in Yugoslavia in October 1937. Camouflage pattern were developed by Germans and originally present a modified pattern for German Do17E/F known as “Farbenanordnung A”. In Yugoslav version this pattern lost its geometrical shape and got new colors.

Development and application of new pattern got priority and among the first one to be done was one Breguet XIX Cyclone in 1938. Various tests were made in this sphere. In the first trials was also used one Fury which was painted in new camouflage and test in regard to surrounding landscape. Headquarter of Yugoslav aviation also order building a number of wooden models of planes ( some sources state over 40) which were used to rest new camouflage. Finally, new pattern were established and as I had above mentioned, firs Yugoslav built products to be painted in that manner was Breguet XIX. This is most problematical period for research as well there could not be exactly traced sources of camouflage paints as well in 1938 Yugoslavia still did not have a large stock of paints for licensed production. Solution could be found in the fact that in that time Yugoslavia looking for that kind of material in France and there as a possibility that some small amount of paints was imported. The fact is that over paints were made in first half of 1938 and the French ministry introduced in the spring 1938 an official chart of camouflage colors. As well French producers had in that time produce various shade of the same color there could be a real problem to got details of exact color applied on early Yugoslav tests. Yugoslav had an interest to introduce French material for finishing but there is a possibilities that some quantity of paint were delivered from Germany for maintenance of Do17K and that these paints were used. Anyway, new camouflage pattern was selected and official pattern for combat land planes became multi color, with topside patches in green, ochre and brown. Only exception of this rule present IK-3 fighter which was ordered in overall grey scheme but later was over painted in multi color pattern.

Markings stay the same as before. National insignia present white “Kosovski krst” (Kosovo’s cross) positioned on three color roundel. Edges of the cross were medium blue or black blue. Planes wore that insignia on wings in four positions, two on the topside and two on the underside of the wings. On the vertical rudder was painted wide three color national flag. Colors were, from the top, blue- white- red. On fuselage could be applied big two digit regimental numbers in black or white color. Very soon it was noted that this kind of markings have negative effect on camouflage and from the summer 1940 new order proposed size and position of the markings. This is very important moment, as well the Royal Yugoslavia was the first one to use reduced visibility camouflage and markings. New regulations proposed one bigger insignia to be carried on the underside of starboard wing and one small on the topside of the port wing. Tricolor flag and rudder now became narrower. Instead of two digits number on the fuselage there used small four digit number. But in the many cases, two digit numbers still appeared on some planes.

Related posts:

1. Rogozarski IK-3 camouflage
2. White Ensign Luftwaffe colors
3. Fleet Air Arm Camouflage and markings
4. Modernization of Yugoslav VV
5. British WW2 colors

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