hi guys, i’m about to apply the paint to a Bf-109E-4. the kit is produced by tamiya and naturally they only give you the colors of thier brand of paint. the follow colors are by tamiya:
XF-62 (Olive Drab) + XF-49 (Khaki) / this is a one to one mixing ratio.
(upper wing and fuselage camo)
XF-22 (RLM Grey) + XF-49 / this is a one to one ratio as well. (upper wing and fuselage camo)
what i need is those colors to be translated into the RLM colors that were used by the germans. i also need the color that is common for the side fuselage. tamiya doesnt even offer a side fuselage color as they just say grey and the bottom light blue. i know what color the bottom supposed to be from the last german aircraft i built, but i need an RLM color for the side of the fuselage, the two top surface colors. i will be using mm enamels. thanks fellows. later.
ps. it is a 109 from the summer of 1940. i did a google search and came up with a site that stated the RLM 65, 70, 71 was used on fighters from 1939 until 41. would that be correct, or is that just a general thing.
Chris, The RLM 70/71/65 would be correct for most 109-E’s, although some were done in RLM 02/71/65. Need to check photo references if possible. The side color is the RLM 65 from the undersurfaces. Also, many had a mottle on the sides in RLM 02 &/or 71 over the 65. Hope this helps.
Regards, Rick
thanks rick. i have stirred some of my RLM colors and comparing them to the illustration on the box ( i know thats a poor reference, but i’m no rivet counter, i just enjoy airbrushing…alot… so if it ain’t just right i ain’t gonna die[;)]) so i think i’m gonna go with RLM 65 on the bottom and sides and RLM 70, 71 for the splinter camo. thanks again, later.
saltydog,
The grey 74/75/76 camouflage colors were seen on a few 109 Es near the end of the Battle of Britain, read some of the reports from the RAF about downed German aircraft from this time period. RLM 71/70/65, or 71/02/65, and even some grey field paint mixes were seen.
HTH
Matrixone
Chris, That’s the safest bet. There isn’t a lot of contrast between RLM 70 & 71 & the 70 was replaced with 02 on some aircraft more to make them less visible on the ground. Starting sometime in 1941, the Luftwaffe standardized on RLM 74/75/76 for their fighters in the ETO. Later, near the end of the war, there were many more colors added & used, but not in 1940.
Regards, Rick
The cockpit would be RLM 02 for the Emil.
You’ve already received more than enough perfectly correct information, so I won’t repeat it. But it gave me a great excuse to run to my new Iliad Design Aircraft Color Chart, a small painting guide complete with paint chips and camo patterns. They are available from Squadron and other mail order houses. This one is “Luftwaffe Fighters (Early and Mid-War).” I also have “RAF Tropical/Desert”. Now that I’ve seen these two, I want the rest of the series (about $6 each). They are punched to fit in ring binders.
thanks for the heads up Tom, i didn’t know that type of thing existed. i may check into it. later.