by Steve Mackenzie

Kittyhawk IV FT881 450 Sqn coded OK-D the 3rd 'No Orchids' at Iesi in late 1944 with OK-X FX585 (painted DFS) in the background. Photo:via Craig Busby

A very rare colour scheme used on Kittyhawks in Italy was the Day Fighter Scheme (DFS) of Green and Gray over a light Grey (exact colours can vary per attached), rather than the usual Temperate Scheme. Even rarer were these late Kittyhawks (P-40Ns) in Desert Scheme, but that is another story.

The image above is a perfect example of this. FT881 (the 3rd airframe with the 'No Orchids' artwork) is a perfect example of a much worn and faded temperate Scheme. It is obvious that FX585 in the background is something entirely different. There were very few of these DFS painted airframes, I have seen 4 of them with 450 Sqn and 2 with the SAAF, five are presented in this article. Undoubtedly there were more with the other extant P-40 operators in Italy.

A closeup of OK-X FX585 (painted DFS) in the background. Photo:via Craig Busby

I am assuming here that the original scheme of Olive Drab (as it came from the factory) with Dark Earth segments added by the RAF has had the Dark Earth areas overpainted with a light Grey (much lighter then the official Ocean Grey used with the Day fighter Scheme). Lower surfaces appear to be still Med Sea Grey (which is actually darker than the upper surface Grey).

A profile that I did of the scheme, colours as per above. Standard national markings in six positions, White codes, Black serial, Red spinner. Note there are some changes to the usual 'B' pattern used on Kittyhawks, the code letters are smaller than the usual 450 Sqn style of the period, and wierdly the fuselage roundel is further to the rear than normal.

This airframe FX585 got around. It was at one stage with 11 Sqn SAAF coded ND-S. In the attached image it can be seen that it has the DFS scheme, but the panel around the exhausts has been replaced by one in faded Temperate colours. This is likely before it went to 450 as it has a fuselage band which it does not have as OK-X.

Two images of 450 Sqn RAAF Kittyhawk Mk.IV, OK-L, FT859, Pilot: S/Ldr Jack Doyle, Fano 1945.

I drew this airframe way back in issue 18/1 (time flies doesn't it). It likely that it drew a few comments from the masses at the time. Then I called out the colours Dark Green / Ocean Grey upper surfaces with Light Grey lower surfaces i.e standard DFS (we know a little better now). White codes , Red Spinner & Black serials. Note that the upper wing roundels are of the 'C' type and that the aircraft has flat wheel hubs. Also the upper cowl panels may have been replaced at one stage. Another with a leftover fuselage band.

And the profile that I did of the scheme, colours as per FX585 above. National markings in six positions (note the 'C1' upper wing roundels introduced in Italy in Jan 1945), White codes, Black serial, Red spinner.