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 Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was a military confrontation between India and Pakistan that occurred during the liberation war in East Pakistan from 3 December 1971 to the fall of Dacca (Dhaka) on 16 December 1971. The war began with preemptive aerial strikes on 11 Indian air stations, that led to the commencement of hostilities with Pakistan and Indian entry into the war of independence in East Pakistan on the side of Bengali nationalist forces. Lasting just 13 days, it is one of the shortest wars in history.

01- Pakistan has operated 18 Martin B-57B/RB-57Bs in the early ’70. These machines were meanwhile assigned to the No.7 Squadron: ten were deployed at Masroor and eight at Mianwali AB. Sample here is serial 53-3846 and it features all dark green camouflage color. Inscription on nose is in white.

02- Starfighter from Pakistan No.9 Squadron’s was reinforced by addition of at least eight Starfighters from the Royal Jordanian Air Force’s No.9 Squadron. At the 10. December 1971 one Starfighter with Jordanian pilot downed India’s Alize plane. They claimed five victories while one is downed by India Mystere.

03- This is former Luftwaffe Sabre and it wear standard NATO camouflage pattern. Small numbers are on nose in white while full serial in black is in the rear fuselage.

04- Pakistan F-86E 54026 was the plane flown by Sqn.Ldr. M.M. Alam in 7 September 1965. He has claimed several victories at that day but investigation did not confirm this. Later this plane was show with victory marks for the propaganda purpose.

05- Toofani or Ouragon, from the No.29 Squadron, with unit scorpion markings on the nose. This type have seen operational service in war in 1965 but with no prominent success.

06. this Ouragan probably flew by Flt Lt Rana Lalchand Sikka and it force landed at 25th June 1965 in Pakistan and pilot become prisoner of war. Plane is downed by Pakistan fighters.

07- Shenyang F-6 serial 47-1823 from No. 25 Squadron have standard Chinese camouflage pattern. Colors are possible of Soviet origin but manufactured in China. Wing Commander Saad Hatmi (OC No. 25 Squadron) and Flight Lieutenant Shahid Raza – intercepted and shot down two IAF Hunters in the Soan valley near Sakesar hills, possibly on this plane.

08- Shenyang F-6 from 15 Sqn, Pakistan serial 1817 were flown by Fl.Lt.Javed Latif and at 4th December 1971 he shot Indian Su-7.

09-Hunter India BA341 of No.5 Squadron India, the same plane is delivered in the standard RAF camouflage and it is possible that in the 1965 it does not use squadron badge with bull on it but it was used later. Hunters proved very successfully in air to air as well ground attack missions.

10- Hunter FGA.9 flown by Harish Masand. In air combat over Dacca at 4. December 1971, he has claimed air kill and Masand was awarded a Vir Chakra decoration. His unit was Black Panthers. His victim was Pakistan fighter Sabre and Pakistan pilot- Flt Lt Saeed Afzal Khan of 14 sqn PAF is said to have ejected safely but was lynched by Mukti Bahini guerilla troops.

11-Canberra India 976, IF976 from Tuskers squadron. This unit is served in mission in Congo and Canberra’s seen there was all in natural metal colors. Unit logo is small red elephant and plane has no other marks. Camouflage is standard and maybe later introduced. Note small radar warning antenna beneath the rear fuselage.

12-Canberra India IF928, from the same unit as previous sample but this one in the natural metal. This sample have gun pack under the fuselage and plane was used in various ground attack role.

13-Gnat India IE1083, from No. 23 squadron India. The plane was flown by squadron leader S/LB. Sikand and it is force landed and captured by Pakistanis. Plane is preserved and displayed in museum.

14-Gnat India E 257 flown by Fg Off N S Sekhon E 257. His plane is downed by Pakistani Sabre, F-86(F/O SB Mirza) at 0750 Hr, and Sekhon lost his life.

15- Dassault Mirage III EP from Pakistan No.5 squadron. This type seen action in the 1971 war and have several air claims. Camouflage is standard NATO type.

16- Dassault Mirage III EP from the early days of war is still preserved in Pakistan. This one is interesting to have light buff radom under the nose and no tactical number on the nose. Rest of the camouflage and marking are standard. No specific info about the war time service of this particular airplane.

17-Shenyang F-6 Pakistan, serial number 47-1825 from the No. 11 ‘Arrows’ Squadron, piloted by Flight Lieutenant Aamer Ali Sharieff in 1971 War to fire a Sidewinder on an IAF MiG-21 during a search and destroy mission over the Shakargarh salient. The same plane is in natural metal and Sidewinder is mounted on the external wing pylons.

18- MiG-21PF, India register C750, flown by Flt.Lt. Bharat B. Soni on 12 December 1971, when he has shot down the F-104A flown by Sqn. Ldr. M. E. Middlecoat, of the No. 9 Sqn PAF. Airplane is additionally mounted with belly gun pack [removable unit] and it is possible that during the war it get camouflage patches.

19- MiG-21PFs from the No. 29 Sqn, India register C731. This plane wear standard aluminium top coat with additional brown patches in irregular position. Plane was one of several MiG-21 PF of late manufacture delivered to India and this version feature forward opening canopy and large vertical fin chord.

20- MiG-21 PF C992, operationally used in the war in 1971. It camouflage pattern is war time modification and it appeared in the same time as the Su-7 ground attack planes enter in the India service. This give option that the same colors were used. As well the brown look red brown it look on black and white images almost like black.

21- Hindustan Marut was India project of the fighter. No.220 Squadron used that machine with great success in ground as well air combat against Pakistan. In whole war time carrier this plane featured natural metal pattern with small national insignia.

Srećko Bradić

Dornier Do 217 was developed as a replacement for the Dornier do 17 bomber. The first prototype (the Do 217 V1) flew on 4 October 1938. It was mass-produced from November 1940 to may 1944. In total, 1905 samples were built. It serves in Luftwaffe until the end of WW2 in various roles.

01. Dornier Do 217 N-07, Dornier Werke plant, Friedrichshafen, 1942. Camouflage is standard splinter with top side in greys RLM 74 and 75 and the bottom in RLM 76.

02. Dornier Do 217 K, W.Nr. 56051, U5-DK from 2./KG 2, which crashed after mission over London and wreck was found on the outskirt of Cambridge and later excamined by RAF. Interesting to note that tail surface coming from another machine, Do 217 E so therefore, W.Nr. look different. Night bombing camouflage with black bottom, RLM 76 top and camouflage spots.

03. Dornier Do 217 K-1, W.Nr. 4446, from KG 2. Similar camouflage as above machine while it have no camouflage spots at the top surface.

04. Dornier Do 217 J-2, pilot Major Radush, Stab./NJG 5, Doberitz, early 1944. Unexpected to see night fighting machine in all white color so this is very interesting machine.

05. Dornier Do 217 M-1, 2./KG 2, Munster- Handorf, September 1944. Standard camouflage with old green colors at the top RLM 70 and 71 with black bottom.

06. Dornier Do 217 J-1 235-8, from 41 Stormo, flown by Capitano Ammannato. Standard all black finish with reduced Italian insignia.

07. Dornier Do 217 K, U5-AA, from Stab./KG 2, Netherlands, 1943, camouflage is standard night bomber with green colro at the top and black at bottom.

08. Dornier Do 217 N-1, Stab or I.7NJG 101, Ingolstadt-Manching, May 1945. Very spot fill camouflage which is in general RLM 4 and 75 greys with the a lot of the spots in the same color on the fuselage sides.

Bradic Srecko

In its operational history Messerschmitt Bf110D wear almost all major camouflage patterns used by German Luftwaffe. Most common was in first time splinter camouflage of the very dark green Schwarzgrun and dark green Dunkelgrun. Bottom was medium light blue Hellblau at the bottom. Some later was introduced mid level camouflage pattern where is on the top used Dunkelgrun as well one older color Grau, RLM 02. After some experience there was noted that this pattern is too light so over the medium blue side of fuselage was painted mottle in topside colors. And final camouflage pattern introduced and used by this type is with grey colors RLM 74 and 75 with bottom in light blue color RLM 76. This pattern was used also in Africa where is more common to see desert camouflage. For this theatre of operation was developed desert camouflage where is in general on top surface used RLM 79 Sandbraun and at the bottom RLM 78 Himmelblau. Over top surfaces was added in many cases spots and patch in RLM 80 Dunkelgrun.

Special camouflage pattern was used on night fighter samples and sources state that that was RLM 66 Schwarzgrau color. Very rare samples are of the Bf110D in the overall RLM 76 color and just few of them is know to have this pattern. During the winters on Eastt front on the airplanes was applied washable white paint.

01. Bf110D-0 VF+HP, W.Nr.3354, used by Generalluitzeugmeister Ernst Udet. Airplane was in standard RLM greys set if colors 74 and 75 with bottom and side in RLM76. Spiners as well band on rear fuselage in white. Plane was stationed on Tempelhof airfield and also was used at Tarnewitz for the armament trials.

02. Bf110D-0 of NJG 1, code G9+JN, with overall black grey color. This machine was used as night fighter in early stage of war and they used infra red device for that purpose. Unit insignia is carried on fuselage and it is partially covered from view with engine cowling.

03. Bf110D-3, 3U+KR, from 7./ZG26, based at Comiso or San Pietro on Sicily. This machine have standard camouflage pattern of RLM 74 and 75 colors. White band on the rear of fuselage indicate theatre of operation and unit insignia is on nose and it present penguin holding umbrella.

04. Bf110D-2, 3U+CS, from 8./ZG26, during the battle for Crete where the unit was engaged in support of Rommel troops. Machine have early splinter camouflage pattern of RLM 70 and 71 with RLM 65 at the bottom. White nose is obviously field application and its purpose is fast recognition in the air combat.

05. Bf110D operated by ZG 76 in Iraq. This machine was in standard German unit colors with the RLM 74 and 75 on topsides and large side area with unit markings is repainted and there is placed Iraq national insignia.

06. Bf110E flown by German high political leader Rudoplh Hess and landed on British soil. Airplane have no special feature, it is in basic RLM 70 and 71 colors with RLM 65 at the bottom.

07. Bf110D-1, S9+ C, from Stab of ZG1, Italy 1943. Machine is captured abandoned and it feature simple version of the desert camouflage with the simple RLM 79 at the upper surface and RLM 78 at the bottom.

08. Bf 110D Werke No. 3341, S9+CK from Erprobungsgruppe 210, crash landed near Hawkhurst at 15 August 1940, piloted by Oberleutant Habisch and radio operator gunner Unteroffizier Elfner. Plane is shortly after public display at Hendon and then transfer to the USA for the test in the Vultee Corporation. Machine have early camouflage pattern of RLM 02 and 71 on top surface with RLM 65 at the bottom.

09. Bf110D with standard grey camouflage of RLM 74 and 75 but adopted to carry winter washable camouflage. This is very interesting as well it is wash out during the time and exposing parts of original color. Much of the serial is not known and yellow seems to be yellow.

10. Bf110D, 3C+GS, from Nachjagdgeschwader 4, it have very rare overall blue camouflage. On the top fuselage surface is also visible some patches, and this can be dirt but also possible spot in some color like RLM 02 which is fade during the time.

Srecko Bradic

Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki was delivered in few versions to Japanese Army and in first time they were delivered as natural metal machines, with black anti glare panel at the top of fuselage, in front of windscreen. During the operation service was comon practice to paint the top surfaces of this machines mostly in green paint and due to the conditions, this paint was moderatery sliced or wiped off the surface and leave plane in blotched effect. Bottom of the additionaly camouflaged airplanes remained in the natural metal color. Ki-44 is also camouflaged and the top of the plane was rarely in brown color but most common in the green color, while the bottom was in light color, possibly grey green. Interesting to note is that the prototype is overal finished in grey green color.

01. Prototye of the Ki-44 Shoki in overal grey green color. This machine have no special markings except of the band arround the fuselage.

02. Ki-44 Shoki from the flying school at Akeno. This machine is early version with telescope gun sight and it is delivered in natural metal finish.

03. Not much info is known about this machine. It have stabdard camouflage color but very faded. Vertical tail top halp is a little darker in shade and it is possible that this is because of the fresh color. Also note that rudder is all in the grey green color so together with the overpainted vertical this could indicate that this plane was repaired after damage. Yellow band arroun the fuselage and small remains behind it is something which was maybe some early band on plane. Logo on the vertical is not easy to determine and as well this is shown in white colors, it could be also yellow or light blue color.

04. Machine from 22. Sentai, captured by the end of war at Clark Field, Luzon, Philippines.

Reference:

Nakajima Army Type 2 Single-seat fighter ‘Shoki’, Bunrin Do,
Cmouflage and markings of Imperial Japanese Army Fighters, Model Art Special

Srecko Bradic

‘S’ coming from submarine and the Lockheed S-3 Viking was carrier-based jet aircraft, with primary role anti submarine combat but also do cover other missions such as day/night surveillance, electronic countermeasures, command/control/communications warfare, and search and rescue.

During its operation career, it did not show so much changes in its camouflage. In first period it was painted in typical Navy camouflage with Light Gull Grey at the top, FS 26440, and the bottom surface was in white color. Markings and insignia was high visibility and national markings was big one. Later, all Viking’s get new camouflage, overall Grey, FS 36375. Makings and insignia was high visibility and also low visibility. National insignia was much smaller in size. In last years, its get in several case, decorative markings and paintings.

Srecko Bradic

All graphic- LetLetLet Warplanes

Hawker Hurricane II first flown on June, 1940, with introduction of two-speed, single-stage supercharged 1,390 hp Merlin XX,. Production switched progressively as Merlin XXs became available, with deliveries to RAF beginning early September 1940. Hurricane Mk.II enter production during 1940 and Hawker Hurricane IIa began operational early September 1940. It was produced in several variants and it also featured different camouflage patterns.

1. Hurricane Mk.IIb, BE163, of No 258 Sqn , Singapore early 1942
2. Hurricane Mk.IIb, BE171, YB-B, flown by Sgt Barrick, No 17 Squadron, Mingaladon, Burma, January 1942.
3. Hurricane Mk.IIb, BE193, flown by F/O Buckland of No 28 Squadron, Cox’s Bazaar, 1943
4. Hurricane Mk.IIc Trop, LB957, from No 34 Squadron in Burma
5. Hurricane Mk.IIc ‘Last of the many’, in the Royal Blue and Gold racing colors of H.R.H Princess Margaret, letters and numbers are also in gold, Farnborough 1955.
6. Hurricane Z5664 is one of the 29 operational samples used by Netherlands’ in east India. During the war they did not manage to shoot single enemy aircraft. Camouflage is standard Dark Green and Dark Earth on topside with Sky at the bottom. Original national insignia was painted over with Dark Green color and Dutch insignia present orange triangles with black border in six positions.
7. Mk II Trop flown by Keith Park on Malta. Camouflage is standard tropical with tropical filter. Note four wing cannons as well modified national insignia.

Srecko Bradic
All graphic LetLetLet Warplanes

The Fairchild A-10 entered service in 1976 and its design makes it a very unique close support airplane. Designed around a seven barrel 30mm rotary cannon and heavy armored, it can sustain heavy AA fire and keep flying.

In its career, the A-10 has tested and operationally used several camouflage patterns. First prototype, YA-10, has been finished in overall Grey color, FS 36473 and later the same machine was painted in darker color, 36118. YA-10A was also in 36118 Grey. Interesting that first six pre production samples used different camouflage schemes. A pattern where basic black color was semi covered with black was used for the second, fifth and sixth samples. The third pre-production sample had overall Grey 36320 and only the fourth pre-production machine had the camouflage pattern which is later used on production samples. That was MASK-10A camouflage, with 40 per cent reflective paint. First three production samples were in Grey 36375, with a note that sample A-10A 75-0258, had gloss over coat. Tenth production machine was also matt 36377 but with 50 per cent MASK-10A at the bottom. The next production sample reversed this pattern, with 50 per cent MASK-10A at the top and 36320 at the bottom.

From the 12th production sample were established camouflage pattern Intermediate MASK-10A’ camouflage pattern with 30 per cent MASK-10A and 50 per cent MASK-10A. This pattern was used for a false canopy at the bottom of the front fuselage. JAWS exercise in 1977 showed that this camouflage was very visible to fighter planes. During this exercise, four A-10As were painted and tested with mottle camouflage. This camouflage proved effective but was not selected for operational use as it was difficult to maintain.

New camouflage, ‘Charcoal Lizard’ was introduced in 1978. That was a wrap around scheme and paints used in this first test were 34092, 34102 and 36231. The scheme proved effective and it was used to replace the previous pattern. Grey 36231 was replaced with 36118. This camouflage was introduced from the 148th production sample of the A-10A. Based on this pattern, at Barksdale AB were tested desert as well all grey camouflage, but they were not selected for operational use. In 1992 another and final camouflage for A-10A was introduced. It consisted of Dark and Light Compass Ghost Grey and was primarily developed with the European theater in mind.

Srecko Bradic

In general the best solution is to scan these precious slides. I use an Epson Perfection V600. With a  special template I can scan 4 frames slides or 12 unframed film strips in one single scan session. With dpi set at 3200 and a pixel width of 5500-6000 you have scanned up to the grain of the film emulsion. Using a large file size of 80% it will give JPEG files of some 4-5Mb.

Scanning under these conditions will take 5 minutes for 4 slides. Much more time will have to be spent on perfecting the images. Persistent dirt particles. Mould and the notorious ‘Telegraph cables’ (caused by dirt in the camera)  will have to be removed. I use Photoshop 12, but of course other software can be used as well.

In general it will take some 15 minutes up to one hour to clean-up depending the condition of the slide. The older the slide, the more work it will be to improve the raw scan into a good image that can be used for purposes like Internet or publication in books and magazines.

If slides have been stored under moist conditions, the will (always!) be infected by mould.

Re-storing at better conditions may slow down the  growth of mould, but once infected this process is irreversible. There is only one good solution: after scanning the slides must be thrown away immediately. Infected slides will (always!) sooner or later also affect other slides not yet infected..

To give you a good idea on a scanned slide, just have a look at that nice in-flight shot of the Hawker P.1127 Kestrel prototype before and after cleaning!

As slide show I have included a few dozen of selected slides showing various aircraft types, all taken over the period 1965-1979. As you will see even slides made more that 50 years ago still can give good quality images with some patience.

I hope you’ll enjoy the show!

Nico Braas