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the photographs also show the squadron
emblem placed on the engine cowling, an
upright red Scottish lion on a yellow shield.
Out of respect for the heritage and traditions
of No. 602 Squadron, Finucane had this
emblem applied to the engine cowlings of
the squadron’s Spitfires. Once again, the
photographs clearly show the repainted
upper surfaces, which have historically been
misinterpreted as an “inverted” Ocean Grey/
Dark Green camouflage, something that,
in light of the detailed Life photographs, is pure
nonsense. Several similarly repainted No. 602
Squadron Spitfires from autumn 1941 to spring
1942 are documented (interestingly, all from “B”
Flight).
A key detail in determining the most probable
scheme was to establish which photographic
filter had been used and then compare
the images with those of other aircraft
photographed under the same conditions.
In this case, the filter was red. When comparing
various camouflage possibilities, the final
comparison yielded the closest match between
BM124 and aircraft PA103, BM124 and NX890,
BM124 and NX857, and BM124 and EP200.
Within the same tonal spectrum, the aircraft
appears to be finished in the Temperate Sea
Scheme.
What was the reason for overpainting
a newly delivered aircraft? The most probable
explanation is described by Paul Lucas in
Guideline Publications ´ Colour Conundrum:
RAF Day Fighter Schemes 1941–1943, vol. 2:
“The reason why the Temperate Sea
Scheme might have been adopted by some
Fighter Command Day Fighters could be
explained by the operational requirement
to escort and support No.2 Group Bomber
Command's Blenheims in their low level anti-
shipping strikes, which were being carried
out as Operation Channel Stop. As part of
this Operation, the Blenheim Bombers of
No.2 Group had adopted the Temperate Sea
Scheme for their upper surfaces from 26 July
1941, as described in the June 2018 issue of
SAM. As for why Fighter Command might have
been motivated to adopt the same camouflage
scheme, an RAF Intelligence report, dated
18 August 1941, stated that No.602 Squadron
report new camouflage on bombers very
effective as they found it difficult to keep
them in view. In addition to this, fighter
aircraft themselves took on an increasing
anti-shipping role during 1941, with Hurricanes
modified to carry two 250lb General Purpose or
Semi Armour piercing bombs for this purpose.
These Fighter attacks were considered so
successful, especially in view of the much
lower casualties suffered by the Hurricane
Bombers compared to the Blenheims, that
from 9 October 1941, Fighter Command began
to assume responsibility for Operation Channel
Stop with Bomber Command being fully relived
of its commitment to the Operation from
25 November. Thus the application of the
Temperate Sea Scheme to the upper surfaces
of the Day Fighters involved in these attacks
would make tactical sense.”
From the above, it becomes clear why the
new BM124 upper surfaces were immediately
overpainted upon its arrival with No. 602
Squadron. It provided superior concealment
during low-level escort missions and Rhubarb
operations.
Close-up of the “QUEEN SALOTE” inscription on Spitfire
BM124. The word “of” was removed from the negatives.
(Photo: Imperial War Museum)
F/Sgt W. W. J. “Bill” Loud with Spitfire BM124, donated to Britain by Queen Sālote of Tonga. Delivered
on 14 March 1942 to No. 602 Squadron. This photograph, taken on 21 May 1942 at Kenley, confirms that
the wings carry neither black walkways nor stencilling, and it is entirely evident that, for “some reason,”
the upper surfaces of the fuselage and wings were completely repainted. (Photo: Imperial War Museum)
Flight Lieutenant Brendan “Paddy” Finucane DFC. (Photo: Imperial War Museum)
HISTORY
INFO Eduard
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December 2025