German WW2 instrument color

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tkaniuka

Airman
72
6
Dec 11, 2015
Not sure if this has been covered before (could not find it in a search), what color were the instrument housing painted? I thought I read that they were RLM 22, like the cockpits after they switched from RLM 02. But wanted to check before I continued modeling the housings. As all ways thanks for your help and willingness to share your knowledge.

TSK
 
As memo serves in the RLM specification of 1936 the main colour for indicator panels was said to be RLM 41 Grau. However the another specification released on 27 May 1936 maentioned the RLM 22 Schwarz. The next document from 10 October 1936 ordered the RLM 66 Schwarzgrau mentioned as the Mattemaille Schwarzgrau. Later the RLM 66 became the basic coat for cockpit interiors and rest of inner areas seen through the cockpit glass.
 
all i had in hands had painted housings with semi gloss black finish (paint not anodizing), dials were matt black - i dont know what exactly shade it was - after 60 years from manufacturing date making such assessment from live object is pointless
 
The housing were typically black, either from backlit or painted. They could also be reddish backlit.

The instruments were color coded, so the rim were
Yellow=fuel
Braun=oil
Green=coolant
Blue=oxygen/air
 
The housing were typically black, either from backlit or painted. They could also be reddish backlit.

The instruments were color coded, so the rim were
Yellow=fuel
Braun=oil
Green=coolant
Blue=oxygen/air
could be this one manufactured in late 1930s - that was kind of fashion those days. I had opportunity to study many instruments from late war types - none of it was color coded.
 
As MiG 2830 said the rims of the instruments were colour coded to indicate usage..
Here are a couple of examples from the museum I volunteer at... hope it helps the model build..
 

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agree - i just would like to say that that this habit has been tuned down - i had instruments from Me262 and He219 in hands and as far as i remember only color other than b/w was yellow dot on fuel gauge but it was 20 years ago...
 
I collect intruments. Luftwaffe mostly black and bakelite...definitely not the cockpit color..
 

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As MiG 2830 said the rims of the instruments were colour coded to indicate usage..
Here are a couple of examples from the museum I volunteer at... hope it helps the model build..
Hi Rodd1951,

Nice view of the ME262 instrument panel. Do the ME262 have a WNr.? or is it pieced together from several airplanes?

Another typical Luftwaffe feature are the letters indicating the electrical circuit "behind" the instrument.
agree - i just would like to say that that this habit has been tuned down - i had instruments from Me262 and He219 in hands and as far as i remember only color other than b/w was yellow dot on fuel gauge but it was 20 years ago...
The color coding was in ALL Luftwaffe aircraft from the start to the end of the war. The Luftwaffe was enormously regulated at standardized, and the color marking of components were one of the standards. In fact, the color coding were also present all over the aircraft, so fuel lines were marked with Yellow from the fuel tank to the fuel injection etc.
 
Hi Rodd1951,

Nice view of the ME262 instrument panel. Do the ME262 have a WNr.? or is it pieced together from several airplanes?

Another typical Luftwaffe feature are the letters indicating the electrical circuit "behind" the instrument.

The color coding was in ALL Luftwaffe aircraft from the start to the end of the war. The Luftwaffe was enormously regulated at standardized, and the color marking of components were one of the standards. In fact, the color coding were also present all over the aircraft, so fuel lines were marked with Yellow from the fuel tank to the fuel injection etc.
Hi MiG2830

Yes its fairly well documented, this is the panel from the one on display at the RAF Midlands Museum in Cosford where I am lucky enough to volunteer (somebody has to do it :)).
.
Its number is Wr Nr. 112372 and its a Me-262/2a built in Leipheim in late 1944 and captured by British troop on the 6th May 1945 at Lubeca.

Regards

Rodd
 

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