Hello everybody,
according to table 3 , scheme A3 was used for SM81 too. Is there any pictorial reference/photograph of any SM81 camouflaged that way? Thanks a lot for help. Carlo
A3 scheme
-
Stefano
- Generale di Brigata Aerea
- Posts: 172
- Joined: Sun Nov 12, 2006 2:40 pm
- Location: Padua, Italy
Band scheme A3 as you find it in CMPR book or in this site is partially wrong for S.81, as it was composed by four colours, not three. The following image from the same CMPR book (2nd edition) shows it: look at port wing.
This pattern can be found also in an official FIAT drawing for BR.20, even though the paints were not the same (img courtesy of Rick).
The patterns are almost identical, lacking only the black in SIAI. Colours for S.81 were Giallo Mim 3, a green very similar to Verde Mim 1, a brown very similar to Marrone Mim 2 and Grigio Mim of course. By the way, all b/w photos I've seen suggest that band-camo S.79s hadn't Grigio on uppersides.
Band scheme was seldom used by RA's S.81s, as most part were Cachi Avorio Chiaro overall.
(photo source: Arena, Mimetizzazione dei velivoli dell'Aeronautica Italiana, STEM Mucchi)
However, they were sent to Spanish war
(photo source: Pedriali, Guerra di Spagna e Aviazione Italiana, USSMA)
Here, pilots found that this scheme was rather ineffective, so altered it with ripples and spots of contrasting colours (see in this forum>colour & camouflage schemes>SM81 in Spain). At last, only the Balearic-based aircraft, as happened for S.79s and CR.32s, kept the band scheme, as the enemy bombing threat was low there.
(photo source: Pedriali, id.)
I hope this helps.
Stefano
This pattern can be found also in an official FIAT drawing for BR.20, even though the paints were not the same (img courtesy of Rick).
The patterns are almost identical, lacking only the black in SIAI. Colours for S.81 were Giallo Mim 3, a green very similar to Verde Mim 1, a brown very similar to Marrone Mim 2 and Grigio Mim of course. By the way, all b/w photos I've seen suggest that band-camo S.79s hadn't Grigio on uppersides.
Band scheme was seldom used by RA's S.81s, as most part were Cachi Avorio Chiaro overall.
(photo source: Arena, Mimetizzazione dei velivoli dell'Aeronautica Italiana, STEM Mucchi)
However, they were sent to Spanish war
(photo source: Pedriali, Guerra di Spagna e Aviazione Italiana, USSMA)
Here, pilots found that this scheme was rather ineffective, so altered it with ripples and spots of contrasting colours (see in this forum>colour & camouflage schemes>SM81 in Spain). At last, only the Balearic-based aircraft, as happened for S.79s and CR.32s, kept the band scheme, as the enemy bombing threat was low there.
(photo source: Pedriali, id.)
I hope this helps.
Stefano