Effect of camouflage paint on rate of climb

[[email protected]]

Hi all,

I'm just curious. Does the application of camouflage paint to an aircraft have any influence on its rate of climb, and if so by how much?

Thanks

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Depends on the paint and application (if primer was used or if the paint was directly applied to the surface).

 

[[email protected]]

Yeah, but would the decrease in rate of climb be major or minor?

 

[FLYBOYJ]

For the most part, minor

 

[stona]

It would be minor. The British went to great lengths to ensure that the camouflage paint on their 'high speed aircraft' was consistently finished to a high standard to minimise the effect it would have on performance. The resident technical officers and inspectors in the various aircraft factories were expected to ensure that aircraft came off the line finished to the required standard. Later the RAF was continually advised and cajoled into maintaining the finish. There is a good instructional film in the Australian War Memorial collection showing how to maintain the finish on a 'high speed aircraft' (a Spitfire in this case) but I can't find the link to it.
Cheers
Steve