Japanese green cross aircraft,pics and story.
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GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
Nice article, but the "Christian Cross" is not correct. The shape of a cross was one of the only icons not used by a national entity during the PTO and could not be mistaken for any other nationality.
Also, the crosses may have been green to a certain degree, but they were more black (or actually black in some cases) than green.
Also, the crosses may have been green to a certain degree, but they were more black (or actually black in some cases) than green.
Yes there is a debate still raging over this. Interesting that the eyewitness at Le Shima in the article quotes it as green, so for me the question is this: Was he informed previous to their landing how they were going to be painted? Seems unlikely to this arm-chair general, but who knows how scuttlebutt was passed. And the second question is: Could pre-knowledge of how the "should" have been painted, prejudgest him against what he actually saw? O's Razor, the simplest answer to me is the film has aged to give the appearance of black, but that the crosses where infact green, or there abouts.
One interesting note: I always painted the anti-glare strip infront of US WWII fighters black, when in fact they were mostly olive drab!
One interesting note: I always painted the anti-glare strip infront of US WWII fighters black, when in fact they were mostly olive drab!
GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
Actually, Shinpachi has mentioned that the crews that painted them were being a little "defiant"...
As far as fading is concerned, look at the color photos and you'll notice that the olive drab dungarees the GIs are wearing still has green coloration.
*edit* here's the conversation regarding the black instead of green: http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/aircraft-markings-camouflage/green-cross-bear-39937.html#post1097496
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N4521U
Colonel
Yes, I have seen the exactly same thread early this year 
http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/aircraft-markings-camouflage/green-cross-bear-39937.html
http://www.ww2aircraft.net/forum/aircraft-markings-camouflage/green-cross-bear-39937.html
Yeah I know! Either way you come down on this issue, a great picture posting.
Reading this paragraph, there's wiggle room for all eventualities:
'The flight of these two Bettys became known as the Green Cross flights and the technique became the standard operating procedure for Japanese aircraft carrying envoys for surrender across the remnants of the Japanese empire for the next month. The only Japanese aircraft flying unmolested had to be approved and had to cover their old markings with the approved Green Cross standards. Not every aircraft complied with every detail of the specified paint scheme; not every aircraft was painted white nor every cross painted green, but scores of these surrender aircraft brought about the end of the killing and suffering and the beginning of the healing.'
'The flight of these two Bettys became known as the Green Cross flights and the technique became the standard operating procedure for Japanese aircraft carrying envoys for surrender across the remnants of the Japanese empire for the next month. The only Japanese aircraft flying unmolested had to be approved and had to cover their old markings with the approved Green Cross standards. Not every aircraft complied with every detail of the specified paint scheme; not every aircraft was painted white nor every cross painted green, but scores of these surrender aircraft brought about the end of the killing and suffering and the beginning of the healing.'
bobbysocks
Chief Master Sergeant
that is the first time i have seen that...how i missed it before i dont know. but very interesting.
