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RNZAF TBF COLOURS AND MARKINGS

Colours are matched where possible to those in the current Fs.595 fan deck.

All RNZAF TBF's were delivered in the Standard U.S.Navy '4 Tone' scheme of:

Upper fuselage and leading edge of wings: Non-Specular Sea Blue (Fs.35042).

Upper wings and tailplanes: Semi-Gloss Sea Blue (Fs.25042).

Mid fuselage and fin/rudder: Intermediate Blue (Fs.35164).

Undersides of fuselage, wings, tailplanes, landing gear struts and interior of wheel wells: Insignia White (Fs.37875).

Wheel hubs: Natural Metal.

Prop hubs: Were either Natural Metal or Gloss Black.

Bureau number and type: 1.5" BLACK letters and numbers on the fin.

Interior: Cockpit: Bronze Green (Fs.34048) - To wall of rear cockpit.

Remainder of interior: Interior Green (Fs.34151).

Bomb bay: Bronze Green. (See walkaround photos)

As delivered to the RNZAF, almost all had RAF roundels in six positions, with an Orange/Yellow(Fs.33538) outer ring on the fuselage only. Some appear to have had a plain dark Blue circle overpainting the roundel on the lower wing surfaces. The uppers appear to have been type 'B'.

Fin flashes were the narrow RNZAF type - Red leading (Fs.30109), White, Blue (Fs.35056).

Note: There appear to have been several variations of the position of the demarcation line between the upper N.s.Sea Blue and the Intermediate Blue, and on many aircraft, the N.s Sea Blue was carried further back on the fuselage sides under the tailplanes.

The wing roundels appear to have been repainted, either on assembly at Hobsonville or at Darton Field, some with the lighter RNZAF Blue/White/Blue (Fs.35183) roundels used only in New Zealand. White bars were also added to the upper wing and fuselage roundels at this time, those on the fuselage having only the forward bar to accommodate a White letter (only used for training) added aft of the roundel.

The NZ serial number was added to the fuselage sides under the tailplanes in 8" high Black letters and numbers. These were in the standard RAF style of the period.

NZ 2504 after assembly by Unit 36 at Hobsonville. U.S. Navy '4 Tone' scheme with RAF roundels in six positions.
Narrow RNZAF type fin flash. 1.5" high Bu.No and type stencilled on fin in Black.

TBF-1C NZ2510 at Darton Field, late 1943. '4 Tone' scheme. RAF type roundels on fuselage. Letter 'J' in White on fuselage was only used for training in NZ. Special note: The underwing roundel appears to be either a roughly overpainted RAF 'C' type, or the often quoted plain Blue (Fs.35056?) disc which appeared on the wings of Hudsons, Kittyhawks and Catalinas delivered around this period.
NZ 2510 had the misfortune to be the first RNZAF TBF to suffer battle damage when hit by AA fire during a strike on Kavieng in March 1944.

TBF-1 NZ2506 of 30 Squadron on a training flight off Gisborne. '4 Tone' Scheme . RNZAF Light Blue/White/Blue (Fs.35183) roundels with White bars on wings. Note: Fuselage roundel has only the forward bar. Letter E was White.

Before 30 Squadron left for the Islands, the wing roundels were repainted in the Operational RNZAF roundel Blue (Fs.35056) and the Red centers of the fuselage roundels were repainted with RNZAF Blue, leaving the outer blue in the RAF Roundel Blue (Fs.35044) as delivered - a most unique roundel. The letters were overpainted, and the aft bar added.

This shot of TBF-1C NZ5208 gives a good overall view of the RNZAF's TBF operational markings. '4 Tone 'scheme. Operational RNZAF Blue/White/Blue (Fs.35056) roundels in 6 positions.
White bars to roundels on fuselage and upper wing only. Narrow RNZAF fin flash. Last 3 of the serial ahead of the roundel were 12" high and stenciled in White, and were also added to the lower front cowl lip. Serial number under tailplane was 8" Black.

The only addition to these markings was the stenciling in of the last three of the serial in White 12" numbers on the fuselage sides forward of the roundel, and on the front lower cowl lip as per the US Navy practice in the operational area. Later deliveries appear to have had a full RNZAF Yellow/Blue/White/Blue roundel on the fuselage sides.

TBF-1C NZ2547 at Espiritu Santo 1944. Note 'as new' condition other than fading of the upper wing surfaces.
RNZAF Corsair in background.

Target Tug and Post War markings:

The first wartime target tug scheme had the rear fuselage and tailplane assembly from the lower 'stinger' position back painted with Orange-Yellow (Fs.33538), the remainder was left in the standard 'Four Tone' scheme, although several appear to have been repainted in either overall Ns.Sea Blue, or in (NZ) Blue Sea Grey (Fs.35053 - 35109) e.g. NZ2504, NZ2522. Serials were in the standard positions in 8" Black. The undersurfaces appear to have remained Insignia White.

The second scheme had the aircraft repainted overall in Orange-Yellow with Matt Black bands added to the fuselage and wings. Serials were White (See NZ2503)

TBF-1C NZ2522 in the target tug scheme of 1944/45. Fuselage appears to be (NZ) Blue Sea Grey/Insignia White and tail section in Matt Orange/Yellow (Fs.33538). RNZAF Blue/White/Blue roundels. Note White surround to fuselage roundel.

NZ2503 in the most colourful of TBF target tug markings. General and Utility Flight, Ohakea, 1946..Overall Matt Yellow (Fs.33538) with Gloss Black bands. Rudder was Gloss Red (Fs.11136). Serial was White. Last two on either side of nose were Black.
RNZAF Blue/White/Blue roundels with no bars in six positions. Narrow fin flash.
This a/c was ditched in the Waitemata Harbour in Auckland after an engine failure on 17th March, 1956.

NZ2503 in a hanger at what is probably Ohakea in the mid to late 1940's. (Via Anthony Galbraith)

A frontal view of NZ2503 taken at the same time as the previous photo. (Via Anthony Galbraith)

NZ2504 while with 42 Squadron, Ohakea 1959. Silver (Fs17178) doped topsides with Matt Black anti-glare panel on upper cowl.
Gloss Yellow (Fs.13538) undersides with Gloss Black stripes. Gloss Yellow fuselage band and Upper wing band.
White fern leaf roundels. Wide fin flash.

NZ2504 showing the underwing serial, and position of black bands.

NZ2504 in a hanger at Wigram - Note: NZ prefix to serial under port wing only. Gloss Yellow (Fs.13538) undersides with Gloss Black bands and Matt Black anti-glare panel on upper cowl. Silver (Fs.17178) doped upper surfaces. Roundel Blue is Fs.15182. (Via Dave Stewart)