Camouflage '1939-1942' Aircraft
1946 First edition published
112 Pages
A Harbrough Book Published by Camouflage Publications, Ltd.
Illustrations by C.Rupert Moore A.R.C.A
AUTHOR'S
PREFACE
The
widespread interest aroused by the publication of Camouflage 1914-18
Aircraft three years ago was exceedingly gratifying and partly
responsible for the decision to proceed with the present work. It is hoped that
it will prove to be of equal value and interest to the student of military
aviation and the aircraft modeller as was its predecessor.
Every
attempt has been made in the text to be as comprehensive as possible, but it
will be appreciated that much relevant material is still. Restricted by
censorship, despite the fact that hostilities ceased nearly a year ago. It has
been possible to identify many aircraft by squadron number, but there is as yet
no complete release of information in this sphere. Full details are included of
all British, American, French, Russian, German and Japanese camouflage schemes,
as well as those of the smaller countries which could be ascertained.
The
illustrations consists of colour plates, for which I am indebted to Mr. C.
Rupert Moore, A.R.C.A., and half-tones chosen to explain certain features of
camouflage or national insignia rather than for their artistic merits. Mr. Moore
prepared his colour plates after several years of research, during which he
investigated many aircraft crashes and captured machines in order to obtain
samples of dope and fabric. The colours represented are all based upon actual
samples taken from aircraft
An
important feature of the text in the British section is that every type of
aircraft used in the Royal Air Force or Royal Navy during the period under
review has been dealt with individually, with details of appropriate code
squadron letters and lists of manufacturers' serial numbers. Combinations of
numbers and letters on particular operational aircraft have been quoted in
most instances, thus providing information for the execution of an accurate,
historically correct paint scheme on any given type.
It was found impracticable to cover the entire period of the war in a single volume and so it was decided to issue the work in two parts. The present volume will be followed by a second dealing with the 1943-45 period, by which time it is hoped that security restrictions on squadron historical data will have been removed completely. Only under these conditions will it be possible for the author to present the subject to his satisfaction.
Owen G. Thetford.
Maida Vale 1946.
Follow up to author's book "Camouflage of 1914-18 Aircraft." This book is similar in layout and treatment but deals with the aircraft in the first half of WWII. Illustrated with lots of photo's, full-color 4-view scale and line drawings by C. Rupert Moore. Valuable resource for modelers & historians concerned with accuracy & detail and camouflage schemes, markings & insignia.
Introductory (British Service Markings)
R.A.F. Fighter Markings
R.A.F Light and Medium Bombers
R.A.F Heavy Bombers
R.A.F Costal Command
Army Co-op., Training And Transport
Fleet Air Arm Markings
France, Poland, Norway And Low Countries
German, Italy and Japan
Yugoslavia, Iraq, Greece And Rumania
Russia, China And Dutch East Indies
U.S. Army, Navy And Marines
The second volume, to be published later, would cover the 1943-45 period. It never did get published, or I have not seen it yet.