Build up to World War Two

Reference
L40/52	Hellgrau (light grey)
RLM 02	Grau (grey)
-	Silber (silver)
RLM 62	Grün (green)
RLM 63	Hellgrau (light grey)
RLM 65	Hellblau (light blue)

In the build up to World War Two, all aviation in Germany began to fall under the influence and finally direct control of the government. Lufthansa is of particular interest as it used the same aircraft as the Luftwaffe. The airline's aircraft were painted in three schemes, overall silver, overall light grey or overall RLM 02 for use by the Legion Condor. Military training aircraft and 'civilian' aircraft were painted in the same overall finish as those of Lufthansa.

For anyone looking for a paint match for L40/52 Hellgrau it is included in the Colourcoats range by Sovereign Hobbies.

Condor Legion Fighters

Messerschmitt 109s appeared in three schemes:

1936: overall L40/52 Light Grey
1937:  RLM 62 upper / 65 lower ; RLM 63 upper / 65 lower, both with the demarcation along the bottom of the fuselage. 

1936

In the last quarter of 1936, three-tone splinter camouflage was applied to all front line aircraft.

RLM 61 Dunkelbraun (dark brown)
RLM 62 Grün (green)
RLM 63 Hellgrau (light grey)
RLM 65 Hellblau (light blue)

1938

In 1938 L.Dv 521/1 was issued and this is described in the WWII colours section.