Fighter Command Camouflage During the Battle of Britain

During the Battle of Britain the standard camouflage for the fuselage and upper surfaces of Fighter Command aircraft would remain the same throughout the battle. It would be the undersides of the aircraft that would be subject to change. This article covers the camouflage colours and markings that appeared on Fighter Command's aircraft.

For this article we have used the Supermarine Spitfire as the example aircraft, as this was one of the two main types used by Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain. We have only detailed the official colours that should have been used, as squadrons may have done their own version of camouflage, or issues with the supply of correct paint led to variations in colour.

Aircraft Markings

Royal Air Force Roundel - This would normally be the early war modified (1939 - 1941) roundel (right) or, as seen on this aircraft, the fuselage (1940 – 1942) roundel.

Squadron Code - This identified the squadron the aircraft belonged to. So in this instance, the letters QV let us know this is a No. 19 Squadron aircraft.

Aircraft Identity Letter - This identified the aircraft within the squadron.

Aircraft Registration Number - This identified the individual aircraft. So, in the case of this aircraft, (P9386), we can find out that it joined No. 19 Squadron in May 1940 before joining No. 152 Squadron in September 1940.

Fin Flash – This helped to aid aircraft identification.

Aircraft Insignia - Although not on this aircraft, insignia was sometimes added to identify a squadron, for example No. 302 (Polish) Squadron had the Polish Air Force roundel (right) painted on their aircraft.

Another type of insignia added was rank pennants. These represented the rank of the pilot flying the aircraft.

Air Marshal
Air Marshal pennant

Air Vice-Marshal
Air Vice-Marshal pennant

Air Commodore
Air Commodore pennant

Group Captain
Group Captain pennant

Wing Commander
Wing Commander pennant

Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader pennant

Aircraft Camouflage – Fuselage

During the Battle of Britain the colours of the fuselage and upper surfaces of Fighter Command aircraft underwent little change and would be standard colours throughout the battle.

Fighter Command aircraft camouflage during the Battle of Britain

Spinner

Fuselage

	Roundel

Fin Flash

Fabric

Placed over the machine-guns to stop them freezing, if this was ripped it meant the guns had been fired and needed rearming.

Squadron Code

Registration

Aircraft Camouflage- Upper Surfaces

Upper Surface

Gas Patch

Not added to this aircraft, but a small yellow patch was added to the wing, which the pilot could see. If this changed colour it meant that a gas attack had taken place.

Roundel

Aircraft Camouflage- Underside

Whilst the fuselage and upper surface camouflage of Fighter Command aircraft stayed the same throughout the battle, the underside of the aircraft would undergo change. Black and white undersides, to aid identification of friendly aircraft, was the most prominent scheme, and this appeared in two guises, with and without roundels.

Underside

Roundel

Fighter Command aircraft sky underside camouflage during the Battle of Britain

June 1940 saw the black and white undersides begin to be replaced by a sky underside.

Underside

Roundel

However, due to a shortage of the correct paint, variants of the sky underside appeared to begin with, but by August 1940 the correct sky camouflage became more prevalent.

Back to articles