United States Naval Aircraft Painting Practices

by Jeff Herne

Two months prior to the Pearl Harbor attack, orders came down requiring all USN and Marine Corps aircraft to be painted overall Non-Specular Light Grey 602 except for upper surfaces, which were painted Blue-Grey (FS 35189). On aircraft with folding wings, the portion of the wing viewed when folded was also painted Blue-Grey. This scheme was to remain until February 1943, after which time the tide of war had turned against Japan.

The Non-Specular, or Three-Tone, scheme appeared in February of 1943. Orders required all upper surfaces be Non-Specular Sea Blue 607, with Non-Specular Intermediate Blue 608 being applied to fuselage sides, vertical tail surfaces, and rudder. Undersurfaces were Non-Specular Insignia White 601. On aircraft with folding wings, the portion of the wing viewed when folded was painted Non-Specular Intemediate Blue 608.

In late March 1944, colors from the 1943 Three Tone scheme were changed from Non-Specular to Glossy. The exception to this rule was fighter aircraft, which were to now carry Glossy Sea Blue 623 overall. Non-Specular Sea Blue 607 could be substituted in areas where it was necessary to protect the pilot from sun glare.

By October 1944, the 1943 Three Tone scheme was dropped from all combat aircraft, including torpedo and dive bombers. This was replaced by the earlier March 1944 fighter scheme calling for Overall Glossy Sea Blue 623. The exceptions to this rule included Seaplanes, Transports, Helicopters, Patrol, and Observation aircraft, all of which retained the earlier Non-Specular scheme of February 1943.

Other schemes of interest were the two applied to Anti-Submarine and Patrol aircraft operating in the Atlantic. Although orders dictate these schemes were to be used in areas where there was no enemy air opposition, evidence seems to point to the fact that this scheme was rarely, if ever, used in the Pacific Theater. Aircraft carrying Scheme I had upper surfaces sprayed Dark Gull Grey 621, fuselage sides Light Gull Grey 620, and all undersurfaces Glossy Insignia White 601. Side surfaces in the shadow of wings and tail were to be sprayed Non-Specular Insignia White 601. The inside of engine cowlings, prop domes, and prop blades out to the inner edge of the cowl openings were to be sprayed Non-Specular Insignia White 601. Scheme II replaced all Non-Specular white with Light Gull Grey 620. It should be noted that Lt. Gull Grey 620 has the same FS# as Light Grey 602 (FS#36440).

In December of 1944, an addendum was made to the October 1944 order, requiring all land-based patrol to carry Semi-Gloss Sea Blue upper and lower wing surfaces and horizontal tail, with Non-Specular Sea Blue being carried on fuselage and vertical tail.