Scale Models - View Single Post - The Scale-Models guide to aircraft markings-Part 1-Training aircraft 1941-42

**wonwinglo** · 23-03-2005

R.A.F Bristol Blenheim IV Day bomber.

On declaration of war in 1939 the R.A.F Medium bomber squadrons in the UK were equipped with Fairey Battle & Bristol Blenheim monoplanes,the Blenheims were a mixed bag of Mk.I & Mk.IV but mostly the latter,the Mk.I's were later either converted to night fighters or sent off to the Middle East.All of these aircraft were shadow shaded on the upper surfaces with dark earth and dark green in the usual mirror image patterns,and the undersurfaces painted a matt black.
White underside serials were phased out during the summer of 1939 with all aircraft devoid of underwing markings by the following Autumn.
Historically a Bristol Blenheim IV from No.139 (B) squadron was the very first British aeroplane to cross the German frontier in the 1939-45 war,this aircraft made a reconnaisance flight over Wilhelmshaven taking valuable photographs of the German fleet for British intelligence.
Ten Fairey Battle squadrons were sent out to France to form an advanced air striking force during the first weeks of the war,these aircraft were literally thrown into battle regardless of loss but did splendid work as close support bombers being eventually returned to England where they were put on the strength of Coastal Command during the Summer of 1940,they then acquired a duck egg blue undersurface.
By 1941 the Blenheims were being used for operations from the UK but the weary Fairey Battles were retired during October 1940,the Blenheim continued to give sterling service on daylight raids over France,Holland & Belgium and these aircraft had a duck egg blue underside and later the controversial colour 'Sky Type S' which was basically a whitish shade with a touch of grey added.
The wavy line de-marcation between the upper & lower surface colours was abandoned in 1941 in favour of a clear cut straight line,medium day bombers were not involved in the changes to the upper surface camouflage in the Autumn of 1941 and retained their dark green & dark eath colouring.
Examples of British & American lease lend medium bomber aircraft-
Fairey Battle I
Bristol Blenheim IVL
Bristol Blenheim I
Vickers Armstrong Wellesley I & II
Douglas Boston II & III
Glen Martin Maryland I & II
Glen Martin Baltimore I
De Havilland Mosquito IV
Lockheed Ventura

23-03-2005	#6 (permalink)
wonwinglo Moderator Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Warwick,UK Real Name: Barry My Models: Aviation artifacts Visit wonwinglo's Gallery Posts: 5,596 Images: 49	The Scale-Models guide to aircraft markings-Part 6-R.A.F Light & Medium bombers 39-42 R.A.F Bristol Blenheim IV Day bomber. On declaration of war in 1939 the R.A.F Medium bomber squadrons in the UK were equipped with Fairey Battle & Bristol Blenheim monoplanes,the Blenheims were a mixed bag of Mk.I & Mk.IV but mostly the latter,the Mk.I's were later either converted to night fighters or sent off to the Middle East.All of these aircraft were shadow shaded on the upper surfaces with dark earth and dark green in the usual mirror image patterns,and the undersurfaces painted a matt black. White underside serials were phased out during the summer of 1939 with all aircraft devoid of underwing markings by the following Autumn. Historically a Bristol Blenheim IV from No.139 (B) squadron was the very first British aeroplane to cross the German frontier in the 1939-45 war,this aircraft made a reconnaisance flight over Wilhelmshaven taking valuable photographs of the German fleet for British intelligence. Ten Fairey Battle squadrons were sent out to France to form an advanced air striking force during the first weeks of the war,these aircraft were literally thrown into battle regardless of loss but did splendid work as close support bombers being eventually returned to England where they were put on the strength of Coastal Command during the Summer of 1940,they then acquired a duck egg blue undersurface. By 1941 the Blenheims were being used for operations from the UK but the weary Fairey Battles were retired during October 1940,the Blenheim continued to give sterling service on daylight raids over France,Holland & Belgium and these aircraft had a duck egg blue underside and later the controversial colour 'Sky Type S' which was basically a whitish shade with a touch of grey added. The wavy line de-marcation between the upper & lower surface colours was abandoned in 1941 in favour of a clear cut straight line,medium day bombers were not involved in the changes to the upper surface camouflage in the Autumn of 1941 and retained their dark green & dark eath colouring. Examples of British & American lease lend medium bomber aircraft- Fairey Battle I Bristol Blenheim IVL Bristol Blenheim I Vickers Armstrong Wellesley I & II Douglas Boston II & III Glen Martin Maryland I & II Glen Martin Baltimore I De Havilland Mosquito IV Lockheed Ventura __________________ 'And there I was oil on my goggles from a broken pipe,then I looked at the altimeter,all I could see was the makers name !' www.wonwinglo.scale-models.net/ Last edited by wonwinglo; 23-03-2005 at 11:52.