JoeS475 wrote:
That is gorgeous!!! Quick question about the lack of roundels on the underside of the wings... was this due to the aircraft being rushed into service, was it an individual squadron thing, or was it a certain RAF mandate at a particular point in time? Or something else?
Thanks yet again, Martin!
Joe
Thanks Joe.
There were a few 'standard' RAF schemes for the undersides of their fighters during the early war years. The black and white undersides were standard from April 1939 until June 6th 1940 when a new directive was issued calling for 'sky' undersides with no national markings. On August 11th another directive was issued reinstating the national insignias. Obviously these changes did not happen overnight, espcially given the circumstances, so many variations were seen throughout the Battle of Britain.
Incidentally the 'sky' undersides varied from unit to unit and even from aircraft to aircraft. It is possible to see Spitfires during the Battle of Britain with sky colours ranging from azure blue to dark grey and duck egg blue (that was more green than blue)
Many people get really hissy about the valid colours to be used on BoB era aircraft. The truth is that variations existed in the standard colours depending on the paint batch, even when they were from the same factory. Add in the fact that natural weathering also changed tone and colour over time and you start to understand that if you get it close then it's good enough. I personally add some minor variations on brightness, tone and saturation levels on my camo colours from repaint to repaint. I find it makes them very slightly more unique.