Hi,
while researching for profiles, a perplexity has arisen.
On Red Stars 4 there are many photos of Kittyhawk MK-2 (ex-British P-40 B and C).
At least two of them (pag.37, low and pag.46, low) show surely a black left wing undersurface, while two (pag. 36, mid and 40, top) show surely sky surfaces under the left wing.
All other planes, , including AH-965 and 975 that are the subject of the drawings, are uncertain. Unfortunately nearly all photos are from the right side (that, in this case, is the wrong one).
Photos of British Kittyhawks show both sky and black wings.
Tapani has found this explanation:
Apparently, the split White & Black underside was applied to RAF aircraft after the Munich Crisis of August 1938."
On June 6th 1940 this paint scheme was dropped completely for the single application of "Sky" which then became the standard."
Black was re-applied over "Sky" to the port wing underside only starting 27 November 1940 and then removed by April 22,1941.
So the black wing should be only aircraft delivered before April 22,1941.
But this doesn't look convincing after having seen 2 Soviet planes with black wing against 2 with sky wing.
I've tried to understand the color from the wheel doors and disks, but without conclusive results. The color of the outer side of the wheel disk should be related to the wing undersurface, but I can't say if it is the same for the inner face.
Does anyone know more on this?
Regards
Massimo