Sea Mosquito TR Mk 37 TW240 on the ground
The prototype Sea Mosquito (FB Mk VI) initially carried a unique paint scheme distinct from its RAF counterparts. Here’s a breakdown of its markings and post-war developments:
Prototype Sea Mosquito (FB Mk VI) Markings:
- The prototype was painted Dark Slate Grey and Extra Dark Sea Grey on the upper surfaces, with the underside in yellow.
- The fuselage demarcation line was placed halfway down, and the lower loop of the prototype marking was outlined in black.
- The serial number was applied in 8″ black figures along the demarcation line, with the ‘ROYAL NAVY’ title in 4″ high black letters below, on the yellow underside. These letters were 2.5″ wide with a stroke of 0.5″ and a 0.5″ gap between each letter.
- The Type C roundels (32″) were placed under the wings, with a similar-sized C1 roundel on the fuselage side. Since the fuselage had a yellow underside and a yellow ring in the roundel, the roundel was outlined in Dark Slate Grey.
- On the upper wing surface, a 54″ B Type roundel was applied, and the aircraft had four-blade black propellers with yellow tips.
Production Sea Mosquitoes:
- When the Sea Mosquito entered production, the Royal Navy versions followed the Medium Sea Grey and Dark Green camouflage scheme used by RAF fighter-bombers.
- National markings, including roundels, were as per the fighter-bomber versions.
- After the war, many Sea Mosquitoes featured bands of squadron and flight colors painted on the spinners. Some also had squadron codes outlined in yellow on the fuselage.
- The ‘ROYAL NAVY’ title was typically displayed above the serial number in 4″ black letters.
TR Mk 33 Sea Mosquito:
- The early TR Mk 33 models were initially delivered with a Slate Grey and Ocean Grey over Sky camouflage scheme.
- Soon after, many TR Mk 33s were repainted in overall aluminium.
- The radomes on some Royal Navy TR Mk 33s were painted in squadron and flight colors, and the operating unit’s codes were placed in black on the sides of the vertical fin, above the fin flash (e.g., LP – Lee-on-Solent).
- Serial numbers in black (30″) figures were applied under each wing, and an aircraft number in black was placed aft of the fuselage roundel. The size and style of these numbers varied from aircraft to aircraft.