Junkers Ju 88 C-4 R4+AA of the Stab/NJG 2, pilot Maj Karl Hulshoff 1941
Early Night Operations Camouflage
Initially, the Ju 88C night fighters were painted in RLM 22 Black. This all-black scheme was intended to make the aircraft less visible against the dark night sky. However, it soon became apparent that the black paint made the aircraft stand out against lighter backgrounds, such as moonlit clouds, making them more visible to enemy aircraft.
Introduction of Night Camouflage (1943)
In response to the visibility issues with the all-black scheme, a new camouflage approach was introduced in 1943. This scheme aimed to blend the aircraft better with both the night sky and the cloud cover.
Base Colors: The entire aircraft was repainted in either RLM 76 Hellgrau (blue-grey) or RLM 77 Lichtgrau (light grey). These lighter base colors provided a more effective concealment against the varied tones of the night sky, especially under moonlight or in cloudy conditions.
Mottling: To further disrupt the aircraft’s outline and enhance its concealment, fine mottling was applied using a spray gun. This mottling covered the top surfaces of the wings, fuselage, and engines, creating a complex, non-uniform pattern that broke up the aircraft’s silhouette.
Variations in Shades and Patterns
The mottling itself was not standardized, resulting in significant variation between individual aircraft. The colors used for the mottling included:
- RLM 74 Grau (dark grey)
- RLM 75 Grauviolett (violet-grey)
- RLM 82 Hellgrün (light green)
- RLM 83 Dunkelgrün (dark green)
- RLM 02 Grau (grey)
These colors were applied in various combinations and densities, leading to each aircraft having a unique camouflage pattern. The shades were chosen to match the typical lighting and environmental conditions encountered during night operations, providing an optimized balance between concealment and operational effectiveness.