Douglas Company allowed to eliminate camouflage paint under all de-icer boots, October 26, 1942

The AAF granted Douglas Company permission to eliminate camouflage finish on surfaces under all de-icer boots, on all aircraft under contract, in a letter dated October 26, 1942.

Dir. of Photography desires that photographic aircraft be camouflaged, November 4,1942.

Mat. Com. (Wash.) agreed with the Eglin Field report on haze paint, considering that the paint’s slight advantage in one condition did not outweigh all of its disadvantages. Therefore, use of haze paint on aircraft other than photographic types was not contemplated and they asked the Dir. of Mil. Req. (Wash.) for a decision as to its use on photographic types. On November 8,1942, Gen. Fairchild replied that since haze paint was generally inferior to other paints, further use of haze paints did not appear to be required.

In response to an inquiry, the Dir, of Photography stated that they preferred that all photographic aircraft be camouflaged, because they were unarmed and depended on altitude, speed, evasive action, and camouflage to avoid interception. They would like to sec a better haze paint developed.

Value of aircraft camouflage questioned, November 4, 1942,

In a memo dated November 4, 1942, to the Dir. of Mil, Req. (Wash.), Brig. Gen Chidlaw, AC/S (E), Mat. Com. (Wash,), summarized an intelligence report stating that the British were removing the camouflage from their fighter aircraft and replacing it with a highly polished surface. This change might result in an increase in top speed of 6 to 8 mph. The Gen. questioned whether or not there was a point of diminishing returns at which the advantages of camouflage were outweighed by the loss of performance due to drag and weight. He also stated that he was not questioning the basic value of camouflage. (Note: this report was very misleading in stating that the British were removing camouflage. Actually, they had developed new, (type S) much smoother, camouflage finishes and were also allowing pilots to add a final coat of wax to get the smoothest possible finish. This was the result of the Luftwaffe introduction of the Focke-Wulf Fwl9t) fighter into service, with its performance advantages over the Supermarine Spitfire Mk. V. The new smooth finish was introduced on the later Spitfire Mk. lX: the author remembers its public debut. A rain shower at that time also helped the shiny effect of the finish. The RAF never removed the camouflage from its operational fighters during the war).