'Threads'

A Discussion on the topic of

RAF/RCAF Mustang IV (P-51D/K) Camouflage Colours in WWII
source:  Hyperscale  (thanks to Brett Green for permission)

Notes:
Italics indicate quotations from a previous post.  The writer's word's are indicated by boldface type.   
Some comments have also been edited for clarity or to correct known errors)

John Melson 

Camouflaged RAF Mustang IVs

Tue Oct 15 17:45:11 2002

Has anyone come across any official documentation as to whether or not RAF P-51D/Ks were actually camouflaged at the factory?

Cheers,

John

Franek Grabowski
Wed Oct 16 09:11:29 2002
The only reliable work seems the Paul Lucas' booklet on RAF Fighters Camouflage, Home Based 1945-1950. He states there that after many considerations it was finally agreed to cancel the camouflage with the deliveries of Mustang IV/IVAs. Also he states that the initial batches were camouflaged at 'home' due to lack of the new orders.

I can only add that the photos of camouflaged Mustangs that I've seen don't show any unusual contrast so typical for early Mustang IIIs. Hence I assume Lucas is correct and the finish was done with standard RAF colours.

Terry McGrady 

Re: Camouflaged RAF Mustang IVs

Wed Oct 16 06:59:56 2002

The question of uncamouflaged A/C was put by the Air in Ministry to Operational Commands in April 1944. HQ AEAF responded by late July 1944 indicating that with the Air Superiority obtained by this time it didn't make much difference so uncamouflaged A/c were accepted. The first unpainted Mustang MKIV to be Delivered to the UK were issued to 154 Sq at Biggin Hill in early Feb 1945. The Air Ministry failed to inform anyone as to the change in finish. However my references indicate that early deliveries of Mustang IV's (P51K) were indeed painted in the US equivalents for Ocean Grey /Dark Green/Medium Sea Grey some of which were in the KH.... serial range. As a matter of interest the markings of the Airfix boxing of a Mustang IV in this case a P51D the only D model on 19 Sqn at the time are correct as the a/c was delivered painted. 

Michael Vorrasi 

Photo exists to prove they were...

Tue Oct 15 21:35:36 2002

There is a well known photo of one of the last P-51C's being finished up at the Dallas plant in OD/NG with factory applied Chinese markings. Behind it are several P-51D's painted in RAF camouflage. The photo can be found in Mustang Designer, by Ray Wagner.

John Melson

Please confirm P-51Ds in the background?

Wed Oct 16 02:38:59 2002

Before I go out and buy the book, could you please confirm the RAF Mustangs in the background are P-51D's? 

bob sikkel 

Confirmation?

Wed Oct 16 11:31:17 2002

The photo is on p.121. Most definitely bubbles (looks like an Aeroproducts (?) on the one that does have a prop- spinner is a light color) in background, and they are in two color tops, light looking lowers (lighter than the neutral grey on Chinese one in foreground). No insignia (or serials) are visible, but we can probably assume they are for Brits. The photo is credited to NAA, and certainly looks like a factory (final assembly) area. (caption claims the Chinese is "one of the last C-10NTs").  I wouldn't buy the book just for that photo, though- very little of the Ds can be seen.

Also, for what it's worth, the old "Camouflage and Markings" says a limited number of Mustang IVs were delivered in camo, and were mostly sent to Italy/N Africa.

John Melson

YES, YES,YES !!!!!!

Wed Oct 16 11:59:46 2002

This is the info I've been after for years!!! This helps to explain why some of the early P51/Ks that went to the Mediterranean Theatre were camouflaged differently than those which were painted in the UK.

Tom Cleaver

P-51Cs aren't Mustang IVs, Michael :-)

Tue Oct 15 23:45:15 2002

Indeed, the Mustang III was painted in camo at the factory (North American - Los Angeles), and was done most likely in US equivalent colors of Dark Grey/Olive Drab/Sky Grey. This was the P-51B, and was the equipment of RAF squadrons operating from England in early 1944 on through the summer/fall.

However, the Mustang IIIs that went to the ETO were (mostly) Dallas-built P-51Cs, which were never painted in camo at the factory. These were most likely delivered in NMF, and painted in RAF colors at the depots in Italy before being sent on to the squadrons. The MTO squadrons did not get Mustang IIIs till fall 1944/early 1945.

The Mustang IV/P-51D was never painted camo at the factory and was delivered NMF to the RAF. The earlier ones were painted at the depot with standard RAF colors; this was stopped by March 1945 - one sees Mustang IVs in both camo and NMF on the squadron level in the ETO in late Spring 1945. The same exists in Italy at that time with the Mustang IV.

So, the simple modeler's rule would be: if you are doing a Polish Mustang III in England, do it in "equivalent" colors, i.e., Dark Grey/Olive Drab/Sky Grey with a Sky" fuselage band (painted in England). If you are doing a Mustang III in the MTO, do it in Ocean Grey/Dark Green/Sea Grey Medium. If you are doing a camouflaged Mustang IV in either theater, do it in the RAF colors.