World War Photos

Spitfire FVIII A58-615 ZP-Y 1944

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) operated the Spitfire Mk Vc with several camouflage schemes adapted to local conditions:

1. Initial Mk Vc Desert Scheme (Dark Earth, Mid Stone, Azure Blue):

   • Supplied in the RAF’s desert scheme of Dark Earth and Mid Stone over Azure Blue.
   • The RAAF often repainted the Mid Stone areas with RAAF Foliage Green for better suitability to their environments.
   • Squadron codes were likely still in RAF colors, though some may have been repainted in grey.

2. Temperate Scheme (Dark Green, Dark Earth, Sky):

   • Initial batches included aircraft in the temperate scheme of Dark Green and Dark Earth over Sky.
   • These upper colors were repainted with RAAF Light Green and Light Earth. Black spinners and serial numbers were applied, along with white wing leading edges.
   • By late 1943, squadron codes were Sky Blue, though some squadrons like No. 54 opted for white.

3. 1944 Respray (Foliage Green, Earth Brown, Sky Blue):

   • By 1944, after significant wear from the tropical climate, most Mk Vcs underwent resprays. The new scheme was Foliage Green and Earth Brown on the upper surfaces, with Sky Blue undersides.
   • White wing leading edges and the entire vertical fin, rudder, and tailplanes were common.
   • Squadron codes were Medium Sea Grey, and the surfaces were often waxed and polished for better durability.

For the Mk VIII:

1. Initial Supply (Dark Green, Ocean Grey):

   • Initially delivered in the RAF scheme of Dark Green and Ocean Grey.
   • The RAAF wasn’t fond of this, so some aircraft, like those of No. 79 Squadron, may have overpainted Ocean Grey areas with a custom green, though evidence is scarce.

2. Later Mk VIII Scheme (Dark Green, RAAF Light Green, Medium Sea Grey):

   • Later, Mk VIIIs were painted in Dark Green and RAAF Light Green over the original Medium Sea Grey.
   • Squadron codes were white, and the tail and wing leading edges were also white.

3. Overall RAAF Dark Green or Foliage Green:

   • Some aircraft received overall RAAF Dark Green (distinct from RAF Dark Green) or Foliage Green over Sky Blue.
   • Squadron codes were in Medium Sea Grey, with black serial numbers.

4. Bare Metal Scheme (May 1944):

   • By May 1944, many Spitfires transitioned to a bare metal scheme with black anti-dazzle panels on the upper nose, and black serial numbers and squadron codes, as part of a broader shift in RAAF camouflage and markings.

This variety of schemes reflects the RAAF’s effort to adapt their Spitfires for operational needs and the wear from the harsh conditions in the Pacific theater.