Luftwaffe spinners

[Sluff]

I seem to remember reading spinners , especially Bf-109, were painted to indicate section seniority. Solid= Lead. Half= section #2. Quarter/Third = section #3. Someone refresh my memory.

 

[Wurger]

I don't remember of reading about a such way for marking applying on the spinner. The Bf 109 spinners were painted in the factory mostly. The main rule was to paint it 2/3 RLM 70 or black and 1/3 white with the propeller blade passing through the center of the white area. So the location of white part didn't matter. Its location that can be noticed in many pictures depended on the moment the prop stopped rotation. However the spinners were repainted in the squadrons often. Then the white part could be applied either covering the spinner surface from 1 blade to the second one or slightly starting with the one blade. But it is always about 1/3 because the prop was the three-blade one.

 

[Sluff]

I don't remember of reading about a such way for marking applying on the spinner. The Bf 109 spinners were painted in the factory mostly. The main rule was to paint it 2/3 RLM 70 or black and 1/3 white with the propeller blade passing through the center of the white area. So the location of white part didn't matter. Its location that can be noticed in many pictures depended on the moment the prop stopped rotation. However the spinners were repainted in the squadrons often. Then the white part could be applied either covering the spinner surface from 1 blade to the second one or slightly starting with the one blade. But it is always about 1/3 because the prop was the three-blade one.

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I remember radial engines have to be "pulled through" for several rotations prior to start to clear oil pooled in lower cylinders to prevent hydraulic lock destroying the engine. Would an inverted V have the same issue? White to help count manual rotations?

 

[Wurger]

I remember radial engines have to be "pulled through" for several rotations prior to start to clear oil pooled in lower cylinders to prevent hydraulic lock destroying the engine. Would an inverted V have the same issue? White to help count manual rotations?

I don't think so. If it would be as you said the Bf 109E and other kites had the spinner painted in the way as well. Also what about these spinners painted without the white marking? IMHO, the white "quarter" was for warning actually. It was not only for the maintenece crews but also for birds. In other words when the prpeller was rotating the white marking ( no matter if it was the white "quarter" or the spiral ) caused its moving better noticed, especially that Germans didn't paint the prop blade tips painted yellow or white.

And yes the pic you attached below shows the training variant of the Bf 109. But it doesn't matter , the rule was for all late Bf 109s.

 

[Sluff]

I don't think so. If it would be as you said the Bf 109E and other kites had the spinner painted in the way as well. Also what about these spinners painted without the white marking? IMHO, the white "quarter" was for warning actually. It was not only for the maintenece crews but also for birds. In other words when the prpeller was rotating the white marking ( no matter if it was the white "quarter" or the spiral ) caused its moving better noticed, especially that Germans didn't paint the prop blade tips painted yellow or white.

And yes the pic you attached below shows the training variant of the Bf 109. But it doesn't matter , the rule was for all late Bf 109s.

"And yes the pic you attached below shows the training variant of the Bf 109" Just making sure my eyes werent playing tricks.....