Proving Ground Command issues Final report on the principles for camouflage in flight, January 7, 1944

Eglin Field prepared a long and detailed report on the principles applicable to the camouflage of aircraft in flight. This stated that there were four fundamental variables in the perception of any visual object, – (1) size, (2) contrast with background, (3) illumination, and (4) duration of observation. The only one of these that could be controlled to any extent for the camouflage of aircraft in flight was the contrast of the airplane with the background. Camouflage was obviously a protection to a plane only when it could not be seen; success

of camouflage in flight was achieved, if when at the distance at which it would normally be visible, it still could not be seen. The report discussed camouflage of the various sections of the plane as top, side, and bottom surfaces plus various types such as sea search, night, gloss, confusion and temporary camouflage, plus that for photographic reconnaissance aircraft.

Camouflage could affect the performance of aircraft in two ways; by the increased weight of the paint and by increased drag if the paint was rough. In a generalized aircraft camouflage evaluation, the report stated that (1) top surface camouflage was very effective, (2) side and under surface average camouflage was of doubtful value.

It concluded that camouflage should be weighed solely on its merits of concealment. If camouflage was needed and was proven, opera­tional efficiency need not be sacrificed. If aircraft were required for special purposes where the operational altitude remained reasonably constant and operational conditions similar, camouflage could be selected which was effective and worthwhile. The report included a bibliography containing twenty-nine documents pertinent to the subject, including eighteen final reports issued by Egltn Field in 1942 and 1943.

Material Command initiates use of gloss black camouflage paint, January 12, 1944.

Material Command requested on January 12, 1944, that Production Division order all night fighter aircraft in production (P-61 and P-70) to be camouflaged with gioss black paint; this order superseded all previous orders for the camouflage of night fighters.