HQ Northwest African Air Forces issues instructions for theater camouflage, March 10, 1943

The local situation in Northwest Africa caused the HQ. Northwest African Air Forces to issue instructions for changing the basic camou­flage on all aircraft in its command. These instructions contained information on new camouflage patterns for P-38, P-40, A-20, B-25,

B-24, and B-17 aircraft. These patterns were to be applied by spray gun, using paint mixed with gasoline! Seven colors were called out from an existing US Army, Corps of Engineers Color Specification. These instructions were not generally known outside of the theater and the accompanying color drawings are being published for the first time. The document read as follows:

Bell P-39M-BE, 42-4813 etc., lined up at Alexandria Field, Alexandria, Lousiana, on March 8,1943. These aircraft may have been «citing ready to be sent to North Africa or England as they all carry the yellow outlined cocade, which was not used within the USA. They are finished in a camouflage pattern reminiscent of the RAF. (USAF)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR AIRCRAFT CAMOUFLAGE
NORTHWEST AFRICAN THEATER.

Color

General (This color combination will be used on all aircraft except those noted under Special Cases.)

A – Field Drab

В – Olive Drab. (If airplane is already painted in Olive Drab, do not apply new coat unless necessary for maintenance). C – l/8th pint Blue plus one gallon White.

Special (These color combinations will be used when color of plane standing areas have a decided color accent of one color, such as red, yellow, green or sand.

RED

A – (1/2 Earth Yellow) + (1/2 Earth Red)

В – Earth Brown

C – (1/8 pint Blue) + (one gallon White)

YELLOW

A – (2/3 Earth Yellow) + (1/3 Field Drab)

В – Earth Brown

C – (1/8 pint Blue) + (one gallon White)

GREEN

A – Light Green В – Olive Drab

C – (1/8 pint Blue) + (one gallon White)

LIGHT SAND f Desert 1 A – Sand

В – Sand (if area is all sand color)

Field Drab (if area is spotted)

C – (1/8 pint Blue) + (one gallon White)

Note: All colors specified are according to Corps of Engineers, U. S. Army tentative specifications No. T-1213, Dec. 15,1941, Amendment #1 Feb. 5, 1942.

The eight color chips shown in the document were:

2/3 EARTH YELLOW + 1/3 FIELD DRAB. LIGHT GREEN

1/2 EARTH RED + 1/2 EARTH YELLOW. OLIVE DRAB

FIELD DRAB EARTH BROWN

SAND 1/8 PINT BLUE + ONE GAL. WHITE

APPLICATION OF PAINT Paint used will have a dull surface when dry.

Paint will be sprayed on just heavy enough to cover the surface with a solid coat of color.

Paint will be sprayed solid up to the pattern line and then shaded out into the next color.

The following sketch shows how this is accomplished, (omitted—author)

TRANSFER OF PATTERN

Mark off, on airplane, two foot squares with a snap line/chalk.

Sketch in the pattern line appearing in each of the squares, checking with corresponding square on the pattern plan.

On curved surfaces, such as the fuselage, the pattern will have to be sketched freehand. The following sketch shows how this is to be accomplished, (omitted—author)

PATTERN DESIGN

The pattern designs shown on Sheets 1 to 6 may be used directly; however, additional camouflage patterns will have to be designed, as the repetition of one pattern on one type of plane will result in a dangerous eye attraction. Use the suggested pat­terns as a guide in making additional designs, keeping in mind the following points:

(a) Scale of spots: Relate them to the size of the airplane, using the suggested designs as a guide.

(b) Shape of spots: Keep them irregular and varied in form. Avoid any recognizable shape, such as a square, diamond, heart, circle, etc.

(c) Size of spots: No two spots should be the same size.

(d) Placement of spots: Locate the spots in such a manner that the wing, fuselage, tail and rudder surfaces are broken by the darker patches. It will be of assistance to work up new designs in the same scale as the suggested sketches, follow­ing the instructions previously given in transferring the pattern to the airplane.

CAUTION!!

Spray painting with gasoline mixed paints must be done outdoors or in an extremely well ventilated building. Precautions must be taken with flames and lighted cigarettes.

Issued by Headquarters, North West African Air Forces,

Engineers – Section, U. S.A. P.0.650 Drawn by H. W. T. and C. R.H. date 10th March 1943.

SAND NO. 49

12% LIGHT BLUE NO. 307 — 88% WHITE © Victor Archer

UШ EARTH BROWN

■

50% EARTH YELLOW 50% EARTH RED

12% LIGHT BLUE NO. 307 88% WHITE © Victor Archer HEADQUARTERS NORTHWEST AFRICAN AIR FORCES SHEET NO: 2 ENGINEER SECTION US A. P.O. 650 DATE: 3/10/43

	HEADQUARTERS NORTHWEST AFRICAN AIR FORCES SHEET NO: 4 ENGINEER SECTION US A. P.O. 650 DATE: 3/10/43

I NEUTRAL GRAY NO. 43

© Viclor Archer

Douglas A-20B-DL, 41-3014, probably of the 47th BG, in North Africa, March 1943. Both aircraft are carrying variants of the special North West African forces camouflage applied in the field, using gasoline as the paint solvent! (Harry Gann)

This is the only recorded in-theater change of USAAF aircraft camouflage and was undoubtedly the result of the sharp German reaction to the Allied Forces advance towards Tunisia. On February 14, 1943, the Germans launched a powerful counter-attack from the Faid Pass in Tunisia, breaking through to the Kasserine Pass, They made many heavy attacks on the desert air bases and these were probably the cause of the above camouflage changes. Photographs of the time show that it was chiefly the A-20, B-25, and P-40 units that adopted the new camouflage.

No photographs seem to have come to light showing the recommended camouflage on P-38, B-17, or B-24 aircraft. Variations of the recommended camouflage have been seen on many A-20 aircraft, particularly those of the 47th BG, stationed at Canrobert, Algeria, during March, 1943.