1942-1943 Fleet Air Arm camouflage

[rickshaw]

I am wondering what the FAA's standard camouflage was for aircraft operating in the Indian Ocean in 1942-43?

Any clues?

[NARSES2]

As far as I'm aware there were no specific schemes for use in the Indian Ocean at that time. So standard Extra Dark Sea Grey, Dark Slate Grey over Sky, or their US equivalents.

National markings ? The red of the roundel might have been overpainted, but possibly on an individual ship or even squadron basis.

[Old Wombat]

The RAF was using the Double Blues roundels out of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands in 1944/45 but I have no idea about the 1942/43 period.

[kitbasher]

Go to https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234938404-photos-of-ceylon-based-fulmars-and-hurricane-iibs/ and follow the posts until you find the first posted on September 30, 2013 - the one with the links.  Note the red/white/blue patterned roundels and fin flashes.

That particular period is of interest to me as the IJN were determine to kill my father during the 5 April raid on Columbo.

[jcf]

Special Hobby 1/48 Fulmar kit instructions:
https://www.specialhobby.eu/out/media/100-SH72368.pdf

Four markings choices, the second is for Fairey Fulmar Mk. II,
BP782/OR, No 806 NAS, HMS Illustrious, off Ceylon, Indian Ocean,
Summer 1942. It's in the Temperate Sea Scheme. Normal roundels.

Temperate Sea Scheme:
(monoplanes) Extra Dark Sea Grey, Dark Slate Grey, upper surfaces of
mainplane, fuselage, and top of tailplanes; Sky undersides.

(biplanes) Extra Dark Sea Grey, Dark Slate Grey, upper surfaces of top
mainplane, fuselage, and top of tailplanes; Dark Sea Grey, Light Slate Grey,
upper surfaces of lower wing and interplane struts, struts the same colour
as the lower wing surface surrounding the lower mounting point; Sky
undersides.

Evidently there was a pre-war Tropical Sea Scheme S.2.T which was  tested,
however whether or not it was standardised seems to be an unknown:

Tropical Sea Scheme:
(monoplanes) Extra Dark Sea Green, Dark Mediterranean Blue, upper surfaces of 
mainplane, fuselage, and top of tailplanes; undersides, see below.

(biplanes) Extra Dark Sea Green, Dark Mediterranean Blue, upper surfaces of top
mainplane, fuselage, and top of tailplanes; Dark Sea Green, Light Mediterranean
Blue, upper surfaces of lower wing and interplane struts, struts the same colour
as the lower wing surface surrounding the lower mounting point; undersides may
have been left aluminum dope, or been painted in Sky, Sky Grey, Sky Blue, or Azure
Blue, or ?.

[rickshaw]

Thanks, Jon.  The Fulmar instructions are the most useful because they are in Colour. 

[zenrat]

...Evidently there was a pre-war Tropical Sea Scheme S.2.T which was  tested,
however whether or not it was standardised seems to be an unknown:

Tropical Sea Scheme:
(monoplanes) Extra Dark Sea Green, Dark Mediterranean Blue, upper surfaces of 
mainplane, fuselage, and top of tailplanes; undersides, see below.

(biplanes) Extra Dark Sea Green, Dark Mediterranean Blue, upper surfaces of top
mainplane, fuselage, and top of tailplanes; Dark Sea Green, Light Mediterranean
Blue, upper surfaces of lower wing and interplane struts, struts the same colour
as the lower wing surface surrounding the lower mounting point; undersides may
have been left aluminum dope, or been painted in Sky, Sky Grey, Sky Blue, or Azure
Blue, or ?.

https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/66426-tropical-sea-scheme-on-the-beest/