Quote:
Originally Posted by NZtyphoon
According to Ted Hooton Spitfire Camouflage 1938-1940 Scale Aircraft Modelling Vol 5 No. 2, November 1982, the transition from Black/White under-surfaces to what was meant to be Sky (Type S) - there were some unit applied colours that were non standard - took place between 6 -17 June 1940 (p. 56).
R6692 - the Spitfire in the hanger, and the subject of the maintenance film, first flew June 3 was delivered to 6MU 5 June, then 609 Sqn. 7 June http://www.spitfires.ukf.net/p009.htm : in the film the aircraft code letter had yet to be applied, so the film was shot early-mid June, while it was still working into 609 Sqn. service. The 2nd photo of 609 Sqn Spitfires shows two of them still had black wheels, meaning they originally were painted black under the port wing, yet the undersurfaces of the wing were painted Sky, meaning the unit was in the middle of repainting its operational aircraft - again early - mid June 1940. |
Thanks for the info NZtyphoon.
Here's a 602 Squadron Spitfire at Drem. Note the black & white undersides and the 100 octane label stenciled in white. This photo was taken during a press day, probably late February or March 1940. See also the
Flight article from 28 March 1940 which describes 602 Squadron's operations using 100 octane fuel, probably the same event. (Ironically, for those that like to "get in the weeds" with this stuff, the author of the flight article was none other than H. F. King
) 602 Squadron converted to 100 octane at Drem during February 1940.
