Camouflage Patterns of Bf 109's

Along side my research into colour paint matches, I'll also be looking to gather materials that look at the camouflage patterns used by the Luftwaffe. I've started with a look at early Bf 109s as I currently have one of Airfix's offering on my bench.

I began my research with a look through the Bundesarchiv, so hopefully even the seasoned Luftwaffe modeller will find some images that are interest. Here is a small sample of what I have unearthed thus far.

Image via: Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1997-026-32A

Image via: Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-337-0036-02A

My starting point for the Bf 109 is looking at the changes to the camouflage made through the campaigns in the Battles of Poland, France and Britain. The significant change in the images above from later schemes is the demarcation between the upper and lower colours. In the image below you can see a soft edged demarcation about an inch of so above the bottom of the canopy. 

Image via: Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-340-0174-14A

This second image, again from 1940 shows the demarcation slightly lower, this time in line with the bottom of the canopy.

Image via: Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-058-1784A-14

To finish this post, here is a final picture of an aircraft from 1939 with an attractive Edelwiess motif. This image shows a narrow soft demarcation between green upper camouflage colours that is difficult to spot in the images at the start of this post. I hope you've enjoyed what I've found and it serves as an inspiration for building your own model of an early Bf 109.

Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-340-0175-20A