World War II Database

1.  Bill says:
18 Nov 2010 07:01:59 PM

Mechanics working on a Mitsubishi A6M2 Model
21 at Lakunai airfield, as Mt. Hanabuki
smokes in the background.

Pilots approaching Rabaul could see it for
for miles. Many pilots would remove the
radio and radio mast, in order to save weight

2.  Bill says:
9 Jun 2011 06:46:01 AM

RINGS AROUND RUBAUL:

Rubaul was captured by Japanese forces in
Feb. 1942. As the war progressed, it was
cut-off from re-supply, and under continued Allied air attacks, Rubaul became useless.
It was by-passed by US forces and later surrendered in Aug. 1945. By that time, many of its air units, both Army and Navy were withdrawn to Truk in 1944.

3. Bill says:
15 Dec 2016 08:22:03 PM

FIELD CAMOUFLAGE: 101

As the war continued the need for camouflage became apparent. Aircraft sitting in the open became easy target for Allied fighters.
Ground crews used canvas tarps or what natural materials could be found.

A LITTLE DAB WILL DO IT:

Ground crews used dark green paint, daubed over the standard factory finish, however, different lots of paint, resulted in both both dark and light green camouflage until Mitsubishi and Nakajima A6M Zeros left the factory in camouflage. Ground crews smoothed out the paint with gasoline soaked rags.
This resulted in a type of marbled effect on the wings, tail and fuselage, the engine remained a blue/gray color.

I thank the editor/ww2db for allowing me to leave my personal comments, that also include references to historic information...