Soviet Air Force of WWII

The Red Army Air Force, also known as the Workers' and Peasants' Red Army Air Force (VVS RKKA), was established in 1924 after the reorganization of aviation forces left over from the Russian Civil War.

Combat Activities of the Red Army Air Force

In the 1930s, the Soviet Union pursued an active foreign policy, deploying its military forces in international conflicts and supporting its allies. Beginning in 1925, the USSR supplied weapons and military equipment to Chinese revolutionaries and organized pilot training. Soviet instructors participated in battles in northeastern China, particularly around the Chinese Eastern Railway, although Soviet aviation's involvement was officially denied.

In 1936, the Spanish Civil War erupted. During the conflict, Soviet pilots encountered the German Luftwaffe and the Italian Regia Aeronautica, who were supporting the nationalists. Over the skies of Spain, Soviet pilots acquired invaluable combat experience, which was later applied during World War II. The civil war concluded in April 1939 with a nationalist victory.

At the same time, tensions flared between the USSR and Japan. In 1938, hostilities broke out at Lake Khasan, followed by the 1939 Battles of Nomonhan. Soviet pilots successfully repelled attacks by the Imperial Japanese Air Force. The conflict ended in September 1939 with a Soviet victory.

In September 1939, the Soviet Union invaded Poland, providing air support for ground troops with light bombers such as the Polikarpov R-5 and Tupolev SB, as well as Polikarpov I-16 fighters. The Polish campaign showcased the strengths of Soviet aviation but also exposed technical deficiencies.

In November 1939, the Soviet Union launched the Winter War against Finland. The Red Army Air Force bombed Finnish defensive positions, engaging with the experienced Finnish Air Force. The war ended on March 13, 1940, highlighting significant deficiencies in Soviet training and equipment.

On June 22, 1941, Germany initiated Operation Barbarossa. Soviet pilots fought against the Luftwaffe and the air forces of Germany's allies, including the Royal Romanian Air Force and the Hungarian Air Force. Romanian squadrons conducted reconnaissance and bombing missions on the Eastern Front, while Hungarian units engaged in aerial combat.

What Colors Were Used for Painting Red Army Aircraft?

The palette of paints for Red Army aircraft includes colors used for the camouflage of Soviet-made combat aircraft from the late 1920s to the late 1940s. These paints were applied to equipment used during key battles, such as the Winter War, World War II, and postwar operations. They were also used on Soviet aircraft supplied to allies, including I-15 and I-16 fighters, as well as TB-3 bombers for China, I-16 aircraft for Mongolia, and aircraft deployed during the Spanish Civil War.

How Did the Camouflage of Soviet Combat Aircraft Evolve Between 1920 and 1945?

In the early 1920s, Soviet aircraft featured a simple paint scheme: protective green on the upper surfaces and light blue on the undersides. This scheme remained standard until the mid-1930s.

During the mid-1930s, a switch to gray or silver finishes was introduced, offering practical benefits like corrosion protection and resistance to sunlight and heat. However, during the 1939 battles at Nomonhan, this color scheme proved ineffective for ground concealment. To address this, irregular black or green stripes and patches were added to the silver or gray base, often using tank paints like 4BO (4БО) or 3B (3Б). This temporary field camouflage could be seen on SB bombers, DB-3s, and I-153 fighters.

By 1940, lessons from these battles prompted a return to green-and-blue camouflage. Upper surfaces were painted green, while the undersides remained light blue. This pattern became the standard for Soviet aviation on the eve of the German invasion in 1941.

In 1941, additional black patches were incorporated into the green scheme to further improve concealment on makeshift airfields and reduce visibility during enemy aerial reconnaissance.

By 1943, new camouflage standards were introduced. Fighters adopted a two-tone gray scheme with dark and light gray tones. Bombers, on the other hand, featured a three-tone pattern combining green, dark gray (or black), and light brown. By the war's end in 1945, the gray patterns were expanded to include bombers as well as fighters.

What Paints Were Used for Soviet Aircraft?

In the 1920s, paints used on aircraft were not yet standardized. By the late 1930s, specialized aviation paints were introduced. Lacquers from the A II series were used for wooden and fabric surfaces, while enamels from the A (А) and AE (АЭ) series were applied to metal components.

In 1941, new paint standards were established. For fabric and wooden surfaces, AMT (АМТ) or AGT (АГТ) series paints were used, while A-series (А) enamels continued to be applied to metal parts. As noted earlier, in field conditions where aviation paints were scarce, tank paints like 4BO and 3B were often substituted.

It is worth noting that aircraft supplied under the Lend-Lease program retained their original camouflage colors of British and American aviation. Soviet paints were used only for national insignias and markings.