[1948]

why did the RAF have pink spitfires?

[ZS-VAN]

They were recon birds. Pink apparently works as a camoflage. Even the brits desert patrol had pink Land Rovers in North Africa. Maybe it's just a British thing.

[skysurfer808]

Originally Posted by 1948

why did the RAF have pink spitfires?

The pink scheme was designed to camoflauge aircraft flying low level "dicing" missions over occupied Europe. It would blend well in overcast conditions, however it would be highly conspicuous in other conditions. There's a great contemporary book on Operation Torch called Wildcats Over Casablanca. It details the exploits of the Ranger Air Group, and one vignette from there discusses how a "Salmon Pink" recon Spitfire got everybody's attention as it flew over the beachhead.

The standard desert camo often faded into something resembling pink. I still remember a shot from the classic Antiques of the Air, which showed a pink P-40, and its color scheme was explained in that way. One also thinks of the SAS Pink Panther scheme for its land rovers. Lest one doubt the effectiveness of this scheme, just think how effective it would be in sunset conditions. Of course pink is also my favorite color related to ladies, but that's another subject entirely. It also has the ability to weaken men, this was proven in a study in which weightlifters weren't able to lift as much in a pink room.

I have the Corgi Recon Spit and Mossie combo, and it is interesting to know that aside from sorties over occupied Europe, they also flew over N. Africa.

[ZS-VAN]

Cool insights Skysurfer. Cheers.

[skysurfer808]

Originally Posted by ZS-VAN

Cool insights Skysurfer. Cheers.

Thanks, glad to see our Zuid Afrikaan member back, hope everything went well.

Aloha,
Skysurfer808

[1250ships]

Royal Navy used a pink scheme too. At one time Mountbatten was a big supporter of it and ordered the ships in his command painted pink. Hence the color became known as Mountbatten pink.

Here is one example- HMS Campbeltown which was used in the raid on the dry dock at St. Nazaire in 1942.

[Cardinal]

Perhaps Century should make a pink Tomcat ...

[1948]

I have to say i love this site. thanks for the info on pinks spits