Luftwaffe in Africa paint set

Two faces of Mediterranean camouflage

German machines operating over Africa and the Mediterranean were given a special factory finish that changed once during the campaign. From roughly April 1941 to the end of that year the upper surfaces carried the sandy yellow RLM 79a, which was then replaced by the markedly browner RLM 79b and lasted until the units were withdrawn from the African shore. Both variants are in the set separately, so a machine from any phase of the fighting can be built without mixing the shade.

Patches, undersides and markings

The olive green RLM 80 was applied by field units on the spot as irregular patches over the factory camouflage, which gives a modeler great freedom. The lower surfaces, and on some Bf 109 machines in the E, F and G versions as well as the Bf 110G, were covered by the light blue RLM 78. The interior of the cockpit is covered by the dark RLM 66, which was given to instrument panels and to all the surfaces visible through the glazing. The sixth bottle is filled with RLM 04, the standard yellow of tactical markings, used to paint engine cowlings, bands around the fuselage, spinners and parts of the vertical tail.

Working with the set

This maker's blue range is applied with a brush and its binder is acrylic, so it thins with water and the tools clean up without any smell. Two or three light coats with a short pause are ideal for covering an area. RLM 04 yellow covers more easily if a white base goes under it. If you want soft edges to the RLM 80 patches, work the brush almost dry and rub the paint in rather than lay it on. A light coat also lets the engraved panel lines show, which a thick one would flood.