They were actually go faster stripes to make the enemy pilots think the propellor wasn't spinning, but they also had the side effect of making all the bullets explosive and the plane a jet. Also the spirals meant it had unlimited ammo

Amazing what a spiral can do

it really is impressive. I cant wait until I get my own plane so can paint it on. And then i just need to figure out how to mount a makeshift gun so i can get infinite ammo.
technology... amazing

So ... it would appear that no one has a definitive answer? And i thought getting answers on paint schemes of WW1 planes was hard...

It's a simple answer really: Physiological Affect.

i thought it was to make enemy pilots eyes go weird or even hypnotise them (2nd 1 is a joke)

So what physiological affect does this have on ground staff in modern airports? lol

It is there so you can see it is spinning. It was often painted big and bright on german WWII planes because it looked good, like nose art. I don't think the germans ever used the usual coloured propeller tip method.

Yes there is, I gave it to you. It is simply to see that the prop is spinning. The answers saying it was to put off enemy gunners, make it hard to distinguish range or a dazzle effect are a load of rubbish.

Think about it, how would anyone see it on an aircraft approaching at 350mph, it's just so the ground crew don't walk into a spinning prop.

Yes. People have given a definitive answer. It's so people can see that the propelloor is spinning. How could it be a psychological effect, people will hardly be flying at each other, certainly not long enough to notice that

And let's not forget, it does look pretty cool, too.:cool:

It was a joke. I have no idea how it would work for a physiological affect?