Simviation Forum - Malta's Blue Spitfires

Jun 2^nd, 2004 at 4:04pm

HawkerTempest5 Offline
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Always looking for some new inspiration for models to add to my collection (and wanting a bit of a change from Seafires) I have decided to build a Spitfire from the defence of Malta period. I have several decal options but no firm information on the colour schemes used. Whilst some aircraft certainly had the Dark earth brown/Mid stone over Azure blue desert scheme, many had a blue colour scheme applied and it is one of these Blue Spitfires that I’ve decided to build. I’ve spent several hours searching the net and come up with several possible options but I thought it would be nice to ask what you lot know.
From what I’ve read it seems some aircraft were painted on board USS Wasp during the transit to Malta. These may have been painted in US Navy blue or extra dark sea grey. Some aircraft that came to Malta via the Middle East from the Desert Air Force were repainted locally with what may have been a very thin coat of extra dark sea grey or a locally mixed dark blue/grey over the top of the standard desert colour scheme. Some aircraft had their mid stone only over painted creating a brown/blue scheme. All it seems retained the Azure blue underside.
I’ve seen black and white photos of aircraft that have a distinct two-tone pattern whilst others are certainly monotone.
What I would like to know is what the exact (or as close as I can get) blue/grey colour/colours used were. I don’t suppose the locally mixed colour will ever be known but the USS Wasp colours should. As there is no firm documented evidence I thought I’d throw it open for discussion.

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Reply #1 - Jun 2^nd, 2004 at 4:27pm

ozzy72 Offline
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Roger from my records I can only find info. relating to planes on Wasp being painted up in 'Sand and Spinach', I have nothing regarding the USN blue colours, this may have been done later from paint stores and never officially acknowledged. I'll keep digging.

Mark

There are two types of aeroplane, Spitfires and everything else that wishes it was a Spitfire!

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Reply #2 - Jun 2^nd, 2004 at 4:38pm

Felix/FFDS Offline
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One of the UK modelling magazines had an article on the defence of Malta, but I do not recall seeing any "blue" Spitfires referenced.

Felix/FFDS

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Reply #3 - Jun 2^nd, 2004 at 10:32pm

Felix/FFDS Offline
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Reference - Sc ale Aviation Modeller INternational (SAMI), April 2002 "Defenders of the George Cross Island" p348

"Supermarine Spitfire Mk.Vc, BR124/U-2, No. 603 Squadron, Operation Calendar USS WASP, 20 APRIL 1942. Spitfires were repainted while aboard the carrier in what pilots described as a ' dark blue' (most probably Non-Specular Sea Blue) on all upper surfaces, leaving the original markings visible. This was intended as a temporary measure to make them less visible during the ferry flight. Temporary codes in white ("1" was allocated to No.601 Squadron, "2" to 603 for the ferry flight only). Aircraft was destroyed in an air raid 8 days later".

So the blue was painted over the Dark Earth/Mid Stone camouflage (BR124 serial in black, but set against the original Dark Earth background which was not painted over ); Azure Blue undersides.

Hope this helps

Felix/FFDS

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Reply #4 - Jun 3^rd, 2004 at 8:43am

HawkerTempest5 Offline
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Thanks for that info chaps, it all helps. One interesting bit I dug up late last night on the web was from another posting about Spits on Malta. A guy on there said his Grandfather was an RAF mechanic aboard USS Wasp during the transit of Spits to Malta. According to him, his Grandfather said the Spits were repainted several times during transit, so much so that people expressed concern over all the extra weight of paint! Does not say anything about what colour they used however.

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Reply #5 - Jun 3^rd, 2004 at 9:54am

Felix/FFDS Offline
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I will try to scan some photos and illustrations for you. In one, there's a "blue" Spit next to a Wildcat. The blue was certaintly darker than the Wildcat's non-specular Sea Blue of the period (1942).

Felix/FFDS

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Reply #6 - Jun 3^rd, 2004 at 1:22pm

xFLAMESx Offline
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Just seen the post - dunno if this will help..........

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Reply #7 - Jun 3^rd, 2004 at 2:09pm

HawkerTempest5 Offline
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Thanks for that, but it's not quite what I'm looking for. That plane is a post war MkXVIe painted in the personal colours of Air Marshall Sir James Robb. It is authentic if not quite RAF standard. This aircraft has since been repainted into a late war grey/green colour scheme and is based in Canada I belive.
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I will try to scan some photos and illustrations for you. In one, there's a "blue" Spit next to a Wildcat. The blue was certaintly darker than the Wildcat's non-specular Sea Blue of the period (1942).

Felix pal, if you could do that it would be most appreciated Grin

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