FW190D-11 / D-13 question

[NZtyphoon]

Such was the shortage of raw materials for paint many of the late-war German aircraft (Fw190D, Bf 109G-14-10 and K-4) had natural metal undersurfaces except where components were wooden or steel; these were painted in the standard RLM 76.

[lonewulf]

Yes, agree with most of the comments above. As the War progressed, and standards slipped, German paint manufacturers often supplied paint in tints and tones that deviated in varying degrees from RLM standards. New upper surface tones were also introduced by the RLM in 1944, before the older redundant colours were formally withdrawn. This increased the potential for variation. In some instances these colours were not properly documented. Subcontractors were also forced to improvise from available paint stocks, including the newly approved defensive camouflage colours and mix and match as best they could. When these sub-assemblies were finally brought together and assembled as a finished aircraft, this relaxation in standards and the necessity for improvisation became apparent.

That said, in some cases garish striping was applied to the undersides of some Luftwaffe fighters in the final stages of the War and was indeed intended to assist the FLAK defenses, particularly around airfields, to distinguish between German and allied aircraft.