SBD2 Dauntless (Static) by Blood_Hawk23!

[bobhegf]

I think around the time the US attacked Guadalcanal. I remember reading an after action report that the Zeros that were encountered were painted green.

 

[kelticheart]

I think around the time the US attacked Guadalcanal. I remember reading an after action report that the Zeros that were encountered were painted green.

Yes, Japanese aircrafts started getting camouflaged with green paint, too visible from above in their light grey livery, already at the end of 1941.

I remember few years ago our Japanese member Talos2005 writing here that the practice had started at the time of the Pearl Harbour attack. Several torpedo/level bomber carrier squadrons had already painted their Kates green, while some of them attacked Pearl with incomplete paint jobs because there was not enough time and green paint left.

Bombers were camouflaged before fighters, most of the fleet aircrafts were camouflaged with green tops and light grey undersides at the time of the Coral Sea and Midway Battles. At Guadalcanal, 90% of Japanese aircrafts had their green camouflage.

As to the props, early planes had an anti-glare dark brown finish back with a natural metal front. By the end of 1942 all aircrafts were factory-equipped with solid, dark brown propellers. They were all license-built Hamilton Standard props.

BH, I believe "early" and "late" Zeros will be a perfect definition, matching the Pacific War history.

Cheers!
KH