RAF Photo-reconnaissance High Altitude PRU (1940-1945)

RAF Photo-reconnaissance High Altitude PRU (1940-1945)

Beginning in December 1940, tactical aircraft used in photo-reconnaissance began to adopt their own specialized camouflage designs, introducing many experimental colors and patterns of which only a few were eventually standardized. The first of these aircraft were originally painted Camotint Green, a pale green developed by the famous Australian photography pioneer Sidney Cotton (later head of the RAF’s Photographic Development Unit or PDU) during pre-war secret flights over Germany and which was also the basis for the Sky Type S. As well as the confusion surrounding the Sky Type S, Camotint Green has also often been described as ‘Duck Egg Green’ and was probably more similar to Eau-de-Nil. Camotint Green was originally used on Blenheims and early photo-recon Spitfires. However, as photoreconnaissance missions began to be carried out at higher altitudes, it was decided to move to a new colour which resulted in the introduction of PRU Blue (PRU standing for Photo Reconnaissance Unit) around 1941. Also developed by Cotton and the PDU team, this was a deeper blue with a hint of grey which became the standard colour for high altitude photography. UK based USAAF aircraft including Reverse Lend-Lease Mosquitos as well as P-38 (F-5). Spinners were also typically PRU Blue, although many ended up being painted black.

Photo-reconnaissance
Spitfire
Blenheims
Lease Mosquitos

Painting Guide:

Camotint Green: This particular Camotint Green is almost impossible to find, but a modeller could easily be forgiven for using a somewhat bright 210 Sky or (preferably) Eau-de-Nil as a substitute.

PRU Blue: PRU Blue is relatively well represented, although noticeably absent from the Gunze range and a few others. It fades quite a bit so there is a good amount of room for the colours to get the right brightness. Most seem to be capturing the darker freshly painted shade.