Pink FR/PR Spitfires

[SirFrancis]

Hey guys,

This is new to me, just came across it. So some spitfires used for low level recon were painted a very pale pink (almost white) for improved camo in dawn and sunset periods against the suns reddish glow. Also were deemed to work better only at low altitude beneath cloud cover. So no high altitude PR in pink.

I read somewhere that standard desert camo recon P40s in the desert that faded under the hot sun became very pale off-whites and were found to be more effective for these dawn / dusk FR flights, so they left them that faded colour. (This may be a speculative origin story so not sure if fact)

So does anyone have more data on this? I'm also curious if any desert spitfires were in pink....and if they had the vokes air filter.

Or if any other fighter types had this pink camo?

I found this pic of FR Mk IXs in pink but look like they are in Europe theatre.

The pic the model below looks about right maybe.... or maybe still too pink?

ok cheers

 

[EwenS]

Hey guys,

This is new to me, just came across it. So some spitfires used for low level recon were painted a very pale pink (almost white) for improved camo in dawn and sunset periods against the suns reddish glow. Also were deemed to work better only at low altitude beneath cloud cover. So no high altitude PR in pink.

I read somewhere that standard desert camo recon P40s in the desert that faded under the hot sun became very pale off-whites and were found to be more effective for these dawn / dusk FR flights, so they left them that faded colour. (This may be a speculative origin story so not sure if fact)

So does anyone have more data on this? I'm also curious if any desert spitfires were in pink....and if they had the vokes air filter.

Or if any other fighter types had this pink camo?

I found this pic of FR Mk IXs in pink but look like they are in Europe theatre.

The pic the model below looks about right maybe.... or maybe still too pink?

ok cheers

View attachment 810648

View attachment 810670

There was an extensive discussion about PRU Pink on Britmodeller a couple of years back, including about the accuracy or otherwise of the pink colour in the photo you posted (16 squadron in NWE).

Pink Spitfires

Has anyone ordered pre-ordered the forthcoming big Spitfire IXc? From the stories on the Airfix Blogs it looks like a "must have" for me. Although it isn't expected until late autumn I ordered a sheet of Xtradecal X24005 from Hannants because I was taken by MK915, a FR Mk IXc if 16 Squadron, in P...

www.britmodeller.com

It also highlights all the problems of interpreting colour from an old colour photo, scanned and viewed on computer monitors.

 

[Wurger]

The pink colour was the general color of PRU RAF aircraft operating at low altitudes from 1940 including Spitfire PR. I and Spitfire FR IX in 1944. So no matter if it was the ETO or the MTO. Also it wasn't used for the recce kites only but also for other ones.

Curtiss P-40K-1, flown by R.J. 'Jay' Overcash from 64th FS of 57th Fighter Group in Tunisia, May 1943.

B-24 ...

 

[Wurger]

And here is the well-known Spitfire PR. IV s/n BR416 with Aboukir tropical filter at the Marble Arch airfield, Western desert. The BR416 was used by 2 PRU (later no. 680) Squadron. It can be noticed that the Spit had the blue camo colour overpainted with a white.

the pic source: the net.

 

[SirFrancis]

There was an extensive discussion about PRU Pink on Britmodeller a couple of years back, including about the accuracy or otherwise of the pink colour in the photo you posted (16 squadron in NWE).

Pink Spitfires

Has anyone ordered pre-ordered the forthcoming big Spitfire IXc? From the stories on the Airfix Blogs it looks like a "must have" for me. Although it isn't expected until late autumn I ordered a sheet of Xtradecal X24005 from Hannants because I was taken by MK915, a FR Mk IXc if 16 Squadron, in P...

www.britmodeller.com

It also highlights all the problems of interpreting colour from an old colour photo, scanned and viewed on computer monitors.

Yes had a look at that thread, very informative. Points to a very very pale pink or maybe more a salmon beige blend. When they say it looks white until you put a white card against it to show the subtle pink tone, that's very pale indeed.

 

[SirFrancis]

And here is the well-known Spitfire PR. IV s/n BR416 with Aboukir tropical filter at the Marble Arch airfield, Western desert. The BR416 was used by 2 PRU (later no. 680) Squadron. It can be noticed that the Spit had the blue camo colour overpainted with a white.

View attachment 810719
View attachment 810720
View attachment 810721
the pic source: the net.

Ahh interesting Wojtek, so definitely desert spit. I wanted to add a Spitfire with vokes filter to my collection and thought the pink bird would be interesting. I prefer the look of the vokes over the aboukir…. But I don't know how extensive the vokes was utilised in Med/Nth Africa on Spitfires.

 

[Wurger]

As memo serves the Spitfires used in the N.Africa were of the Mk.Vb/c trop version mostly. And most of them had the Vokes filter installed. Later when the Mk.IX appeared at the TO the filter wasn't used for the new variant. Looking at the pics below it looks like the Aboukir filter was used for the Spitfire LF Mk.Vb rather.

the pic source: Asisbiz SAAF 40Sqn Squadron Spitfire photographs

 

[SirFrancis]

As memo serves the Spitfires used in the N.Africa were of the Mk.Vb/c trop version mostly. And most of them had the Vokes filter installed. Later when the Mk.IX appeared at the TO the filter wasn't used for the new variant. Looking at the pics below it looks like the Aboukir filter was used for the Spitfire LF Mk.Vb rather.

View attachment 810780
View attachment 810781
View attachment 810782
View attachment 810783

the pic source: Asisbiz SAAF 40Sqn Squadron Spitfire photographs

Yeah plenty seem to have the Aboukir....I've seen pics of MkV trop with Vokes..... This pic is of our 451 Aussie birds in Nth Africa.

But have seen no pink ones with Vokes...

 

[Wurger]

Actually these are the MK.Vc tropicalized. The Vokes filter seems to be the basic one.

 

[SirFrancis]

Actually these are the MK.Vc tropicalized. The Vokes filter seems to be the basic one.

So this is Mk Vc Trop ........ I thought it was a Vokes filter.........what kind of filter/housing is it?

 

[Wurger]

the pic source: Volkes filter - what's inside?

PS. check on your PM box.

 

[SirFrancis]

View attachment 810892
View attachment 810865
View attachment 810866
the pic source: Volkes filter - what's inside?

PS. check on your PM box.

Oh ok, I misunderstood your previous reply, I thought you were saying the 451 Spits in that pic did not have Vokes, but you were saying they had an early version of the vokes?

 

[Wurger]

Yes, now that's correct. While the Vokes filter was the standard factory one , the Aboukir filter was an unofficial modification designed and installed by that most resourceful team at No. 103 MU Aboukir. The Vokes Aero-Vee, fitted to the Mark IX Spitfire, was based upon this local modification. Also the Supermarine was quick to appreciate the lower drag of the modified intake. The tests on two VC's and a Seafire Mk. II revealed that the new type of cowling was infinitely better of the three tested and there was a weight reduction of 20 pounds. Another bonus was that with the filter element removed the Aboukir could be used as a normal temperature intake.

the pic source: the net.