World War Photos

Junkers Ju 88 A-4 5K+FN of the 5/KG3 Eastern Front 1942

The Junkers Ju 88A bombers, which entered service in mid-1939, were initially painted according to the Luftwaffe’s established camouflage scheme, which had been standardized since September 1938. The standard scheme featured the following colors and patterns:

1. Top Surfaces: The upper surfaces of the aircraft, including the wings and fuselage, were camouflaged with a mottling pattern using two shades of green:

   • RLM 70 Schwarzgrün (Black-Green)
   • RLM 71 Dunkelgrün (Dark Green) The mottling provided a disruptive pattern intended to blend the aircraft with the terrain when viewed from above.

2. Lower Surfaces: The undersides of the aircraft were painted in RLM 65 Hellblau (Light Blue), which was designed to blend with the sky when viewed from below. The color demarcation line between the upper and lower surfaces was clear and straight along the fuselage and wings.

Camouflage Variations and Field Modifications

• Late War Changes: In the last year of the war, a modification was introduced where the division between the upper RLM 70/RLM 71 and the lower RLM 65 was raised almost to the top of the fuselage. This change also involved a smoother transition between the colors. The fuselage sides were often additionally mottled with RLM 70, RLM 71, and RLM 02 (a grey-green color).

• Marine Scheme: For Ju 88 bombers used by units like KG 40 for Atlantic operations, a “marine” camouflage scheme was applied. This scheme used two close shades of green:

  • RLM 72 (a darker green)
  • RLM 73 (a lighter green) The lower surfaces remained painted in RLM 65 Hellblau. The pattern on the fuselage and wings was similar to the standard scheme.

• Night Operations: As bombing missions against Britain shifted to nighttime, aircraft were often given a temporary, sooty black distemper finish on the lower surfaces to reduce visibility. This black paint was sometimes extended up the sides of the fuselage, often covering the aircraft’s markings. In some cases, aircraft were entirely painted black. Another variation involved painting the bottom and sides black while adding patches or lines of black, white, or even RLM 76 Hellgrau (Light Grey) on the upper surfaces. These modifications were commonly seen across different theaters, including the Eastern Front and the Mediterranean, as Luftwaffe units adapted to changing operational needs.