Yugoslavia

VVKJ - Modified Three-tone Camouflage Schemes

Yugoslavian Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3a fighters wore a very simple camouflage pattern consisting of RLM70 upper and side surfaces with RLM65 undersides. This export colour scheme also saw limited use within the Luftwaffe during 1938-1939. A non-standard three-tone camouflage scheme was applied to some machines in 1941? by adding large wavy segments of yellow ochre and light green, most probably using British Mid Stone and Light Green Type S paints, over the original RLM70 painted surfaces.

The famous Hawker Hurricane fighter became operational in VVKJ service in 1939. Two batches were imported directly from the UK, while a third was licence-built by Zmaj. Samples from UK production were delivered in a modified RAF Temperate Land Scheme camouflage scheme of Dark Earth/Dark Green upper and side surfaces with Aluminum dope undersides. A third yellow ochre colour, probably Mid Stone Type S, was later added. Some photos seem to suggest that there could be a fourth topside colour also present in some instances (retouching?).

All forty-five Savoia-Marchetti SM.79K bombers imported from Italy were finished in the standard Italian Schema Mimetico a reticolo consisting of a Giallo Mimetico 3 base with a dense mottling of Verde 53192 and Marrone 53193. The undersides were painted in Grigio Mimetico. In later service, several SM.79Ks from 7. Bombarderski Puk received a new upper surfaces camouflage scheme consisting of large patches of yellow ochre, green and brown. No precise details are available on the exact colours used; the only known facts are that the paints were nitro-based, smooth, and that the repainting process was done at unit level on the airfields.

Messerschmitt Bf 109E-3a Artist: © Srecko Bradic

Hawker Hurricane Mk.I Artist: © Srecko Bradic

Savoia-Marchetti SM.79K Artist: © Srecko Bradic