Author Topic: RAF switches from camouflage to silver  (Read 1542 times)

Offline Mechinf

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RAF switches from camouflage to silver
« on: July 07, 2021, 07:48:47 PM »
Goodday

I have been looking for the date ?? or a copy of an AMO or some military directive indication that the RAF aircraft had to which over from wartime camouflage paint to the between the wars silver. Can anyone help?

Regards

William

Offline RLWP

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Re: RAF switches from camouflage to silver
« Reply #1 on: July 08, 2021, 05:06:47 AM »
It probably isn't that clear.

For example Nieuport were finishing aeroplanes with aluminium dope from the 17 onwards. The RNAS certainly flew them like that.

Meanwhile, the RFC were repainting them in camouflage

Richard

Hendon for flying - the fastest way to the ground!

Offline JamesAPrattIII

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Re: RAF switches from camouflage to silver
« Reply #2 on: July 29, 2021, 01:06:56 AM »
The switch to silver came in 1923

Offline Monty

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Re: RAF switches from camouflage to silver
« Reply #3 on: July 29, 2021, 03:02:24 AM »
Sounds about right for the South African Air Force too... That's about when the DH9's Avro 504's and SE5a's seem to go silver....

Offline RLWP

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Re: RAF switches from camouflage to silver
« Reply #4 on: July 29, 2021, 04:40:18 AM »
The switch to silver came in 1923

What does that mean exactly, James? There were certainly British aeroplanes in silver before that - is that the date after which no more 'planes would be painted in camouflage?

Richard
Hendon for flying - the fastest way to the ground!

Offline JamesAPrattIII

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Re: RAF switches from camouflage to silver
« Reply #5 on: July 31, 2021, 04:06:12 AM »
This is from "Bombing Colours 1914-1937" by Bruce Robertson
In 1923 the stocks of Khaki were exhausted and from this time new finishes were applied. These were APD and APDT for home and overseas use respectively; the A for aluminium, PD for pigmented dope and T for tropical. These finishes bestowed the so called 'silver' finish of RAF aircraft between the wars. the effect of the tropical finish was the same as the home scheme, but the dope had different properties.

The book came out in 1972 you might be able to get it by ILL like I did many years ago. This is all it really has with this finish