Photographic B-24s (F-7s) to be painted two shades of blue, October 16, 1943

The Mat. Lab. at WF in a letter, dated October 16,1943, advised the AAF Representative at Northwest-St. Paul Modification Center that B-24s being modified to F-7s for photographic purposes, should be thoroughly cleaned, sprayed with a hiding coat of aerial blue enamel, followed by sufficient coats of shadow blue enamel to produce shading over visible bottom surfaces. (Note: this is a most remarkable letter, because it contains reference to two enamel colors, aerial blue and shadow blue, which have never appeared anywhere in any paint orders, standard color listings, etc.! Research has not been able to find any other official reference to these colors, nor did they ever find their way into any of the AN standard aircraft camouflage colors).

Paint manufacturers query the variety of color standards in use, October 1943

The Forbes Varnish Company, Cleveland, OH, on October 22, 1943, asked the Material Division, Wright Field, OH, whether or not certain of the gloss colors in the Army-Navy Porcelain Color Standard had been superseded by certain color chips in “Color Card Supplement to US Army Spec. 3-1, revised April 21,1943.”

The Production Engineering Section replied that the Color Card Supplement colors did not supersede any of the Army-Navy Porcelain Standard colors, and pointed out that in each instance the correct color standards to use would be those referenced in the applicable detail specifications (see Chapter 7 for full details).

Gen. Arnold signs order eliminating camouflage on all aircraft, October 30, 1943

On October 30, 1943, the Prod. Eng. Sect. (WF), informed by teletype the Western Procurement District, Los Angeles, CA, that Lt. Gen. 13. Giles, С/As (Wash.), had signed an order, which had been counter-signed by Gen. Arnold and Lt. Gen. Carl Spaatz (Northwest African Air Force), eliminating camouflage from all aircraft. WF had not then officially received the order, but suggested that the District withhold for one week, approval of any funds for paint buildings.