FW190D-11 / D-13 question

[Al Schlageter]

Originally Posted by Robo.

Hi mate, 3 is wrong. The reason for different RLM colours on the bottom of the late war Doras (and 109s for that matter) was that they came from different places and have been primed or painted the RLM 76 in the factory. At the very end of the war, the German industry got much more laid back on the standards and regulations (because they had to) and you see all sorts of colour combinations. Some parts were just primed in RLM02 and the a/c has been assembled and sent on the front to be used asap. Paint shortage was partially a reason...

[Robo.]

Originally Posted by Al Schlageter

(JV44 Doras pic)

Yes, but the OP was asking if the random under surfaces on late war Doras served any ID purpose.. which they didn't. All of the above posts are correct, there are combinations of RLM 76 with some RLM 02 or just unpainted aluminium (most ofthen on the mid section of the wing between the landing gears and flaps / ailerons), some had even dark surfaces like RLM 83 used on the bottom of the wing. Different shades of RLM 76 were also not uncommon...

[LcSummers]

Thanks guys for your answers.

My own opinion was number 2, shortage of paint but i was not really sure.

For clearance i will upload a pix for what i meant. This is the D-13 but i know that D-11 had nearly the same mixed colours.


Any comment on this one is appreciated too.

[badfinger]

I have read that the red/white paint was put on tha 190D's because they were used to provide air cover for ME-262's during take off and landing. The stripes helped AA batteries distinguish the 190D from marauding Allied fighters that liked to pick off the 262's when they were most vulnerable. I've never seen other German fighters with similar stripes.

Binky9

[Robo.]

Originally Posted by LcSummers

Thanks guys for your answers.

My own opinion was number 2, shortage of paint but i was not really sure.

For clearance i will upload a pix for what i meant. This is the D-13 but i know that D-11 had nearly the same mixed colours.


Any comment on this one is appreciated too.

Yeah that is quite typical undersurface of a very late war Doras. The aircraft parts were coming from different places (factories) and then assembled in another place. They came in painted to various degree hence the mix and match look...

The ailerons of this one are RLM 76 and so is the fuselage. The wings were left in natural aluminium on the bottom and the front section was painted in dark green RLM 83 colour in this case. The typical late war scheme was RLM 76 (later variant) on the bottom, RLM 82 and 83 on the top.

Some Doras had a finish in older RLM 75 with RLM 83. The one you posted seems to have RLM 75 and 83 combination with some more mottling apparently applied in the field in RLM 83 and 82 (the lighter of the 2 shades of green). Hope that helped.

[badfinger]

Google "190D red/white stripes", and you will find several web sites that say the stripes were used as I have described.

Binky9

[NZtyphoon]

The first experiments with unpainted undersurfaces started in July 1940 with a batch of 50 FW 190s: http://www.amazon.com/Luftwaffe-Colo.../dp/1902109074

[LcSummers]

Hi all,

i ddint spoke about the Doras of JV 44. There is so much (even i have the books) information i was not interested of them.

I prefered to the D-11 ( i know that JV 44 had Red 4) and D-12 and D-13.

My question has been answered. Thanks a lot.