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Hi Rob,

Your question prompted me to finally get started on figuring exactly when the Light Gray finish was introduced to the Fleet. I'd meant to got through the notes long ago, but today seemed to be a good day to have a go. Here's what I found:

23 Nov 1940 CinCUS issues camouflage instructions

20 Dec 1940 BuAer instructs Vought-Sikorsky to finish Kingfishers in overall dull aluminum.

30 Dec 1940 BuAer authorizes camouflaging of aircraft already in service per CinCUS of 23 Nov 1940

2 Jan 1941 ComAirBatFor recommends continued use of dull aluminum camouflage if delayed availability of Light Gray is unimportant.

2 Jan 1941 Vought-Sikorsky revised engineering instructions note that beginning with OS2U-2 BuNo 2206 and OS2U-3 BuNo 5284, Kingfishers will be delivered in overall dull aluminum lacquer. (Most of these aircraft were destined for shore base and cruiser assignments.

3 Jan 1941 V-S Inspector of Naval Aircraft to BuAer notes the imminent application of Light Gray camouflage, which might cover neutrality stars. Should these stars be ignored in production?

6 Jan 1941 Navy Yard Philadelphia issues contracts to purchase non-specular lacquers.

9 Jan 1941 ComAirBatFor issues report on SB2U-2 camouflage tested by Fleet Aircraft Tactical Unit. Concludes that non-specular aluminum offers only slight advantages.

17 Jan 1941 Naval Aircraft Factory reports that CinCUS has ordered purchase of enough camouflage paint for all combat aircraft. Ship-based aircraft to be overall Light Gray.

1 Feb 1941 Vought-Sikorsky reports application of Light Gray lacquer began on OS2U-2 BuNo 2239 using duPont 71 Line lacquer.

3 Feb 1941 ComCruBatFor notes that Light Gray lacquer is being purchased by NAF, who will distribute to overhaul bases. Operating units can secure paint from overhaul bases when available. Operating units can use dull aluminum until Light Gray is available.

17 Feb 1941 Pearl Harbor requests an estimated 900 gallons of Light Gray for VO and VS aircraft.

21 Feb 1941 BuAer requests NAF order quantities of dull insignia colors to support pending revision to national marking orders. [This would be one star above left wing, one below right wing, and one on either side of the fuselage.

26 Feb 1941 BuAer camouflage and marking orders that all ship-based aircraft be painted Light Gray. Amphibians not based on ships shall be painted as specified for patrol planes.

Mar-May 41 Dive Bomber filmed

7 Mar 1941 NAS Norfolk notes that Light Gray has been received and dull aluminum will no longer be used.

13 Mar 1941 Fleet confirms that all aircraft except patrol planes will be overall Light Gray. (Fleet letter on turret colors and aircraft squadron markings will be updated.)

13 Mar 1941 BuAer issues revised insignia instructions to Consolidated.

21 Mar 1941 CinCUS desires that Fleet aircraft be camouflaged “as soon as practicable....”

4 Apr 1941 ComBatFor directs each VO and VCS squadron in the Hawaiian area to provide a qualified painter to VO-VCS hangar at Pearl Harbor as soon as paint received. Also provide other men for cleaning, stripping, masking, etc. as needed.

7 Apr 1941 NAS Norfolk expects equipment and labor to be available for camouflage project on 14 April. Expects to mix Insignia Blue lacquer with Light Gray lacquer to produce Blue Gray lacquer for patrol planes.

9 Apr 1941 NAF recommends mix or 1 gal Light Gray, 6 oz Insignia Blue, and 13 oz Instrument Black to produce Blue Gray pending arrival of supplies. Additional tinting may be necessary.

2 May 1941 All planes of Saratoga Air Group have been camouflaged

13 May 1941 Pacific Fleet, BatFor - all battleship and cruiser based planes (except those to be returned to San Diego for overhaul in May) have been camouflaged. Total of 93 aircraft: 31 BatBatFor, 27 CruScoFor, and 35 CruBatFor. Painting began 7 April.

Cheers,



Dana