Different shades of Neutral Gray on P- 47s

[David Rapasi]

“In May of 1942 the Joint Aircraft Committee’s Subcommittee on Standardization agreed to eliminate redundant paints needed for camouflaging AAF, U.S. Navy, and British aircraft produced in the US.

Under this plan AAF Neutral Gray and Navy Blue Gray were to be superseded by RAF Extra Dark Sea Gray, which became known simply as “Sea Gray”. (ANA603)

However, enough Neutral Gray had been stockpiled by ‘42 that some aircraft produced in 1944 were still being painted the older color”.

Quote from Dana Bell, Air Force Colors Vol.2.

P-47D 15-RE 276322 was factory painted. The 371st was a Fighter Group in the Ninth Air Force that flew fighter sweeps, dive-bombing, and escort missions prior to the invasion of the Continent. After the Normandy invasion the Group moved to bases in France and had the upper invasion stripes painted over.

P-47D 22-RE 226231 was shipped unpainted. The 362nd F.G. was transferred to the 9th Air Force in April 44’for the invasion of France. They escorted C-47s on June 6-7. The aircraft were then to be used for tactical missions and were camouflaged for low level operations. The Group was moved to bases in France where they flew continuous missions until wars end.

P-47D 20-RE 42-25274 was the first aircraft that had all the factory camouflage deleted.