"B-17Gs in green when?" Topic

I understand the majority of B-17Gs would be in the bare metal finish.

But I really want to paint them in the older green (olive) color scheme.

I have seen images of B-17Gs with this color scheme and was wondering what time period would that combination be appropriate for.

My guess would be early 1944. But I'm not sure.

Thanks

Squadron/Signal Publications, Air Force Colors Volume 2 (ETO & MTO), p.51 says, "An October 1943 revision to Army Air Force Policy eliminated requirements for factory-applied camouflage for combat aircraft. Camouflage itself was not abolished, but the decision for or against its use was left to the commanders in each operating theater."

My thoughts…if you like OD more than natural metal (as I do) then go with the OD. Call them survivors or veterans or leftovers from previous crews.

v/r Kevin

I wonder if any old greenies made it through to the end of the war? I bet there were a few around still in April '45.

Hi Louie,

Yes, the earlier period would be more likely, but can't recall when the B-17G's were introduced into Europe off the top of my head (late 1943 – apparently they were in production from Sept/Oct. 1943 according to one source on-line).

Later, they were left in bare metal since they were faster without the paint, and helped to be easily seen, taunting the Germans into sending their fighters up to do battle. The same applies to the American fighters in natural metal as well.

If I had to guess, I would imagine many remained in camo up through at least the Spring/early Summer of 1944.

There were also mixed units of planes in both natural metal, and camo., so you can use them interchangably, if desired.

One reference on-line that I ran across states that natural metal B-17G's were being produced as early as Jan. of 1944. Obviously though, many in operational units would still be in camo. through the Spring/Summer of 1944.

During the later period of 1944, Fall/Winter, most would be in natural metal.

Best regards,

Rob
Topgun Marketing LLC
topgunace111 AT yahoo DOT com

Thanks

Initially the silver was winter camo, figured the silver was less noticable than green over snow covered Europe. So you could have all types of aircraft in both schemes. They would scrub the green off with gasoline. Later they just left everything bare metal.

All B17G's leaving factories from Jan 1944 were in bare metal.

So as planes were lost they would be replaced by non painted ones so as the war went on the mix would gradually change to more non painted than painted.

I have seen pictures of formations late in 45 still with painted planes in the mix.

you also see planes part painted, part not where damage had been repaired.

Hard rock

"Initially the silver was winter camo, figured the silver was less noticable than green over snow covered Europe. So you could have all types of aircraft in both schemes. They would scrub the green off with gasoline"

can't say I've ever read the above i would of thought Gasoline would of been to valuable to use as you discribe and I would of thought ground crews had plenty of other more urgent things to do getting planes back into the air than scrub paint of a B17 (talk about punishment:))

kutusov

Be different. Paint up one of those polka dot jobbies for formation gathering duties.

Here's a specific B-17G in cammo link

Its not the original Nine-Oh-Nine, but you can look up that aircraft's service history to get dates.

Wyatt

I think someone in the 8th Air Force decided the weight of the paint lowered the range and bombload. So, off came the paint.

I think I read somewhere that B-17F's were modified with the chin turret. You could always say the Olive Drab G's were left overs of the modified F's.

Phil D

HardRock
References please?