Pilatus PC-9 is a Swiss single-engine turboprop aircraft manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft. Its first flight took place on May 7, 1984, and the first foreigner operator were Royal Saudi Air Force. Powerplant of this two seat airplane is a Pratt & Whitney PT6A-62 turboprop. Cockpit include ejection seats, electronic flight instrumentation and environmental control systems. These have become largely popular among military trainers, but are also flown for purposes of forward air control and aerobatics.

Here is presented Pilatus PC-9B (D-FCMT), Serial No.: 166, of QinetiQ, Germany. QinetiQ is the leading provider of operational live aerial training services to the German Bundeswehr. It is one of twelve Pilatus PC-9 B operated by QinetiQ. QinetiQ’s PC-9B further enhance the provision of Aerial Training Services (ATS), specialized Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) and Close Air Support (CAS) training to the German Armed Forces and other international customers. They are flown by highly skilled, military-trained pilots, deliver a range of services including target towing, close-air support, maritime air operations, ground control intercept training and air traffic control training.

Srećko Bradić

Very early pattern of the P-40 in service included Dark Olive Drab No 31 on topside and Neutral Gray No 32 at the bottom. Colors was from Specification 14057-C from December 1939. National insignia was simple white star with red spot on center on blue disc with red blue white strip in vertical surfaces. In a meantime Air Corps Bulletin No 41 indicate camouflage colors to be Dark Olive Drab No 41, Medium Green No 42 and Neutral Gray No 43. National insignia now is to be carried on both side of side fuselage, one on top of port wing and one at the bottom of starboard wing. And from 20th June 1940., USAAC become USAAF.

Samples sent to China used equivalent of the British camouflage colors produced by DuPont. This colors are Dark Green 71-013 and Dark Earth 71-009 and top surface and Light Gray 71-021 and the bottom. Operated by AVG “Flying Tigers”, they were first P-40 to experience combat by US pilots. December 1941. was the time that USA get directly involved in world war. This war lead into major change in marking, red spot was deleted, to avoid confusion with Japanese airplanes. Some new colors were used, for example Curtiss P-40E from 49th FG at Darwin, Australia, in 1942., used DuPont Dark Green 30 and Rust Brown 34 at top surface. Bottom could be Neutral Grey, Azure Blue or Light Blue 27. Some samples delivered to RAF in 1942., were finished with Medium Green 42 and Sand 26 at top surfaces with Light Blue 27 at bottom. USAAF also used somewhere this RAF type camouflage on its P-40 as temperate land scheme.

[See image gallery at www.letletlet-warplanes.com] One of the war theater was African desert and they adopt desert camouflage patterns. Both British and US operators used DuPont equivalents of the British desert colors so at the top of surfaces were Dark Earth 71-065, Middle Stone 71-069 and at bottom Azure Blue 71-062. There was also simple camouflage pattern with Middle Stone 71-069 at the top and Azure Blue 71-062 at the bottom. Since July 1942. on P-40 start use patches of Medium Green over Dark Olive Drab top surface. Operationally, there was some variation in camouflage but not widely used (like use of US Navy colors…). Major change happen in 1944., when due to the reduced presence of enemy in air and greater number of US airplanes, P-40 start to be delivered in natural metal color.

Samples of P-40 delivered to other countries was originally finish used in USA.

Srećko Bradić

OV-10 Bronco was most hated aircraft in the river Mekong valley. Its appearance clearly indicate that some artillery or aviation attack come so peasant who lived in area do had a reason for absolute negative stand about it. Bronco was forward air control airplane and this mean flying over and behind enemy lines, spot targets, attack em and giving direction to attack. Its designation mean that, O for Observation and V for flying command site (do not mess it with Vertical, what indicate helicopters, those who vertical take of).

Airplane presented here is OV-10 Bronco from VAL-4 unit. Light Attack Squadron Four (VAL-4) came into official existence on Friday, January 3, 1969. Bureau numbers of current VAL-4 aircraft are: 155460, 155461, 155462, 155463, 155470, 155471, 155472, 155473, 155474, 155475. During the operational training North Islands, unit received additional airplanes. With two additional aircraft (BuNo 155494 and 155495) delivered by the end of January 1969, unit had fourteen aircrafts. Fourteen aircraft were deployed to MCAS Yuma on Sunday February 2 1969. for a two-week period of weapons training. Two aircraft were left at Naval Air Station, North Island and one new aircraft (BuNo 155497) was delivered at North Island and this give total of 17 Bronco’s aircraft assigned to VAL-4. Squadron personnel and the four civilian representatives departed from Naval Air Station, North Island shortly after midnight on Monday, March 24, 1969, and arrived in Saigon on Monday afternoon, local time. After a five-hour delay, the personnel were airlifted into Binh Thuy by USAF C-130 aircraft. Very soon they start operational missions. Alpha (VNAF Binh Thuy) flights have been armed with Zuni 5-inch rockets and the Mark IV 20mm cannon pod. This combination has provided a tremendous increase in the capability of the Bronco to destroy sampans, hootches, and bunkers – the most common targets. The ordnance configuration of the alert and patrol aircraft at Binh Thuy consists of 12 five-inch rockets, 750 rounds of 20mm ammunition and 2000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition for the lead aircraft, and the wing aircraft carries 12 five-inch rockets, 38 2.75- inch rockets, and 2000 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition – plus a flare pod on the centerline station for night patrols.

Data for OV-10A Bronco, subject of the color profiles

BUNO: 155471 156th Bronco Built |•| 82nd Marine OV-10A Side # 106 & 101 Original Aircraft Stationed At Binh Thuy. Received new from the factory, 155471 was rec’d by VS-41 at NAS North Island, California on November 2, 1968 and transferred to VAL-4 on January 16, 1969. Flown to NAS Cubi Point on April 5, 1972 when the squadron was decommissioned. Now N410DF with the California Forestry Department. OV-10A Bronco 155471 is the aircraft whose nose tire was reportedly shot by the VAL-4 Maintenance Officer LCdr. Bill Bartlett for “failure to perform properly” causing Skipper Marty Schuman to bounce this Bronco on the Portable Steel Plate (PSP) runway at Chu Lai while Admiral Zumwalt was riding in the back seat.

Few words of pilot of no. 106, Dan Sheehan:

“I have found out a little more about 106, after Vietnam. When the squadron was decommissioned in 1972, 106 and the rest of VAL-4’s planes were flown to NAS Cubi Point. Since VAL-4 had borrowed Marine Corps OV-10s, I assume the surviving air frames were returned to the Marines. In 1993, 106 was transferred to the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center, otherwise known as the Boneyard, where out-of-service aircraft were stored in the Arizona desert. After that, 106 was operated by the California Department of Forestry as N410DF, Cal Fire No A110. Cal Fire operates a number of OV-10s and I believe they are commonly used to guide the larger air tankers on their fire suppression runs. I don’t know if 106 is still there now.”

There was armor plating under the pilots’ seats, but it was limited to preventing small arms penetration. Dan remember that the center panel of the windshield was also supposed to prevent small arms penetration and the fuel tanks were supposed to be self sealing up to .30-caliber fire; but he couldn’t find any mention of that in the flight manual. By his words that is very little protection and you could probably have stuck a #2 lead pencil through the aluminum skin of the plane just about anywhere. Pilots of Bronco joked that overall the Bronco was only “semi bullet retardant.”

Srećko Bradić

All photos- Dan Sheehan

Then we come upon one airplane, Junkers Ju 88. Not so bright photo but it is far enough clear that airplane have uniform top surface camouflage cover with waves over it. I notice that and my finished work included those patches. In general, I spent some time in search of data and find that those German airplanes used in coastal missions do had dark blue top surface and many of them improvise camouflage patches over it. That was case with this specific sample either. But, after some consideration, customer had demand to remove patches and he said that he have some advisory experts who state there is not patches. So patches, clearly visible on photo, are not real for them. That was not first time in my life that “experts”, very possible self proclaimed, ruin my or other work just because they claim they have better eyes, better view, better perception and maybe even two brains. But apart armomancy, they do not provide any clue, just statement which can be understand as “we are best because we say so”. As well customer was also good friend, I warn him on mistake and deliver sample illustration as he demand. And keep on rest of work…

Some years later, I talk with friend from Germany, magazine editor, and somehow we come upon to the Junkers Ju 88 and he said that he have chance to talk and interview some pilots who flew Ju 88 in coastal mission. I ask what they say about camouflage (but did not mention my case with illustration) and answer was- they flew on dark painted top surface with grey wavy patches over!! Absolute match to my work, which was rejected by “experts”. Then I explain to my friend situation with illustration I did and his info is so valuable as final proof, apart from photo, that I match precisely subject. I contacted my friend and customer who ask illustration without patches and provide full details of my conversation and proof that airplane did have grey patches over it. He absolute agree with and say that he will never again take consideration of those experts.

But too late, wrong illustration is published in book and its matter of time is when some new experts will find that my work is wrong, I need to put patches on this work…

Bradić Srećko

Before disbanding, Lufttransportgeschwader 63 conduct the farewell tour with the specially painted aircraft – the “Retrobrummel” with the registration 50+40, to give the numerous supporters of the Transall the opportunity to say goodbye to the aircraft. The Transall C-160 is a military transport aircraft, produced as joint venture between France and Germany. “Transall” is an abbreviation of the manufacturing consortium “Transporter Allianz”, comprising the companies of MBB, Aerospatiale, VFW-Fokker. Initially developed to meet the requirements for a transport aircraft for the French and German Air Forces. In German service i replaced Noratlas.

For five decades, the C-160 Transall was the German main military tactical air transport aircraft and it was also one of the main air transport capabilities at EATC. Since September 2010, Germany transferred the authority of 74 C-160 assets to EATC. The first historical mission under EATC authority was executed with the C-160 Transall on 11 October 2021. From that moment EATC managed nearly 21000 German C-160 Transall missions, totaling about 92000 flying hours. Starting from 2014, Germany gradually replaced the Transall with the new transport, the A400M and the C-130J Hercules.

During its service Transall C-160 used RAL 6014. RAL 7012, RAL 9006 for first camouflage pattern and later used RAL 7021, FS 34079, RAL 6003 for camouflage. Retro Burnmel used combinations of camouflage colors used in Luftwaffe.

Malta Air Show has is the place where last Transall C-160 50+40 participate before retirement. Transall C-160 50+40 is at the Air Force school in Roth, Bavaria converted into a classroom.

Srećko Bradić

Boeing F4B was prominent naval fighter plane in US service. Sample presented here is Boeing F4B-3, used as command plane in U.S.M.C, at MCAS Quantico, VA, 1935. Main color of the airplane was grey and entire fuselage was covered with this gloss color. Aluminum paint was used over wing fabric and top wing surface were in yellow color. Vertical rudder is in the tri color scheme and same colors were used over engine cowling as well wheel covers. All letters were in black color.

Srecko Bradic

Color profile captions:

01. Ju 52/3m g3e, registration 50+G10, based on photograph from Vienna- Aspern airfield, Austria, in 1939. Airplane wear early overall light grey scheme and interesting two red bends used during the Anschluss of Austria in March 1938.

02. The code S13 indicates a Schule (S) in the Luftgau XIII (13) of Nьrnberg, so S13+. The luftgau was a subdivision of a larger Luftkreis). It’s very difficult to guess the other letters/digits because the letter following the cross indicated the flight within the school the plane belonged to. The last two digits (sometime three)indicated the real identity of the plane signifying the order of arrival of the plane at this “Schule”. The code of this Ju 52/3m could have been : S13+E33 if it was the 33rd plane arrived at the “Schule” and given to the 5th Flight. Whole machine is in the RLM 71 Dunkelgrun color.

03. Reichsluftfahrt- Minister Hermann Goring have used this Ju 52/3m for what we call today VIP plane. Machine dominative color is red, in honor to the greatest German ace (until that moment) Manfred Von Richthofen, registration was D-AGUK and the WNr. 4022. It serve as VIP plane in period 1933- 1935. Note Lufthansa logo on tail as well letters Manfred Von Richthofen beneath the cockpit.

04. This bomber version of the Ju 52 and in pale grey scheme belonged to Fliegerführerschule (C), Lechfeld, Summer 1938.

[See image gallery at www.letletlet-warplanes.com] 05. Personal airplane of the Luftflotte 5 Chief of Technical Service. Its operational area during 1942 and 1943 was Norway, Finland and Soviet Union. Standard camouflage of RLM 71 and 70 with large patches in white.

06. Ambulance version of the Ju 52/m3 g6e, register BJ YD, in the temporary winter camouflage over the regular camouflage of RLM 70 and 71. This machine operated from Norway.

07. Various Airliners used the Ju 52 worldwide and still use it. Here is shown Bolivian pre WW2 Ju 52/3m Wk.Nr. 4009 ‘Huanuni’, which was used by Lloyd Aero Boliviano. Detail of interest is the longer windows on fuselage. This machine with others of the type, has been used in the Chaco war.

08. Netherlands is one of the user of this machine and sample present is in the natural metal color, with national flag on tail and black registration on the wings.

Bradić Srećko

Curitss Seagull used most of the camouflage pattern seen in US NAVY and in very start of its service metal was painted gray and the fabric was painted aluminum. The tail surfaces were painted lemon yellow (New York, BB-34; Arkansas, BB-33 & Texas, BB-35 (VO-5) and the section color for the number 8 a/c was true blue on the top of the engine cowling. The neutrality patrol star on the forward area is correct for 1940. The official directive for applying the neutrality patrol star for the SOC-1, -2 -3 and the SON-1 aircraft was to center a 2′ diameter star on the engine accessory cowling with the upper circumference about 5″ below the top of the cowling. This was listed in the 19 March 1940 Bureau of Aeronautics Directive AER-E-255-HY,QW-19,F-39-1, Technical Note 6-40.

[See image gallery at www.letletlet-warplanes.com] The blue gray over light gray color is for the next period. The red & white tail stripes, 7 red and 6 white, horizontally applied by the new directive of 5 January 1942. The national insignia, 4 on the wings two on the top and two on the bottom and 1 on each side of the fuselage, were ordered on 5 January 1942 also. The directive was: Aer-E-2571-BP, F39-5, VV,FF-12, 001085. Diameters were different for each particular aircraft. Some national insignia were applied in huge diameters on the wings and fuselage, some were not. Most squadrons used black for the applications of their fuselage codes. The USS Lexington, CV-2 kept the old color, white, for their fuselage codes through to the sinking of the ship on 8 May 1942. Photo evidence bears this out. Last camouflage pattern were Non Specular Sea Blue, Intermediate Blue and White.

Srećko Bradić

The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a single-engine supersonic multirole fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin) for the United States Air Force. Over 4,500 aircraft have been built since production was approved in 1976. Although no longer being purchased by the U.S. Air Force, improved versions are being built for export customers. As of 2015, it is the world’s most numerous fixed-wing aircraft in military service.

[See image gallery at www.letletlet-warplanes.com] It started its operational service in three grey camouflage colors and later its developed into numerous camouflage and livery patterns. Some of the is presented here.

Srećko Bradić

The Martin B-57 Canberra is an American-built, twinjet tactical bomber and reconnaissance aircraft that entered service with the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1953. The B-57 is a license-built version of the British English Electric Canberra, manufactured by the Glenn L. Martin Company. Initial Martin-build models were virtually identical to their British-built counterparts; Martin later modified the design to incorporate larger quantities of US-sourced components and produced the aircraft in several different variants.

[See image gallery at www.letletlet-warplanes.com] Martin B-57 color profiles caption

01- Martin B-57B 52- 1567 from 13th TBS, 35th TFW. Airplane feature standard camouflage pattern used first time in Vietnam. For the B-57 is specific great variation in applications of stencils and service markings and this one is lack of many of them. Tail letters are in standard white color and rudder is red.

02- Martin B-57B 53-3955 used by Pakistan air force. This one is designed for operating in all weather conditions. Camouflage is very simple with light grey on the topside and black at the bottom.

03- Martin B-57B operated by Pakistan but in the specific overall green camouflage pattern.

04. South Vietnam is one of the operator of the B-57 and they have used variation of original USAF insignia as it own markings. This plane does not use any camouflage paint and flew in the natural metal. Note dirt over the airframe caused by smoke during the engine start up.

05. Vermont National Guard flew a B-57 in a number of different camouflage pattern. This is standard all black color with exception that main code letters are in white and the common practice was for this type of camouflage is the use of letter in red color.

06-B-57G 53-3865 featured standard camouflage pattern introduced in Vietnam. The plane is from the 13th TBS, 8th TFW, Anne Domini 1970. The G model is special combat adaptation of the basic B-57.

07-EB-57B 117 DSES- Martin EB-57B of the 117th DSES, Forbes AFB, Kansas Air National Guard [originally B-57B SN 52-1500]. It has on most areas ADC Grey or Coin Grey light color and the high visibility orange sections.

08-RB-57D Nationalist China, US have trained Chinese Nationalist crew to operate this special version of the B-57. Plane is very simple finished in matt white and matt black colors.

09-RB-57E 55-4245A, this airplane served in Vietnam and was operated by 460th Reconnaissance Wing. Plane is in the standard overall black color and use small national insignia. Note interesting badge design of black bat holding camera.

10-B-57B NASA is very interesting as well this is early B-57 used and deployed by NASA. This plane, regarding to the number of images, have real evolution in the painting and markings as well duty done in NASA service. N809NA (cn 166) Ex USAF 52-1576, this Martin B-57B spent most of her career with NASA, attached to the Lewis, Langley, then Dryden Research Facilities. The plane is in the white color with some areas in natural metal. Note small logo under the windscreen which denotes that plane is used during the Viking Mars test program.

Bradic Srecko