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Oberfläschenschutzverfahren und Anstrichstoffe der deutschen Luftfahrtindustries und Luftwaffe 1935-1945 by Michael Ullmann
Reviewed by David E. Brown
A new book, Oberfläschenschutzverfahren und Anstrichstoffe der deutschen Luftfahrtindustries und Luftwaffe 1935-1945 (loosely translated as "Surface Protection Procedures and Paints of the German Aviation Industry and Luftwaffe"), takes a giant step toward addressing this need and presents in one publication a compilation of the current state of knowledge on this subject. It is the culmination and natural evolution of author Michael Ullmann's research on Luftwaffe paints over the past 5 years, having been manifested in several earlier self-published books in both German and English. The focus of the publication is a thorough examination of the technical evolution of Luftwaffe paints and their components from the early 1930s to the war's end. The research is presented in chronological format with supporting documents, figures, drawings, photographs and profiles. Unlike most previous and recent works (excepting those noted above), the author bases his research on a significant amount of primary data obtained from the archives of various German public and corporate institutions such as the Deutsche Museum, Daimler Chrysler Aerospace, Dornier, RAL, Lufthansa, etc. In addition to examining official paint charts, preserved aircraft and components and numerous photos, the author obtained excellent and unselfish cooperation from noted authorities globally in the form of peer review, documents, photographs, etc. In his book, the author lets the documents speak for themselves but offers commentary, references and/or interpretations in each section and subsection where warranted. In so doing, there is much new information presented here for the first time, previous material and knowledge is buttressed with supporting evidence, old myths and controversies are clarified, and most pointedly, new interpretations and theories on some of the more controversial aspects of Luftwaffe colour research are offered and supported with the appropriate data. Looking closely at the book itself, it contains 291 pages bound with a colour laminated hard cover and is about 24 x 17 cm (10" x 7") in size. The binding and printing are first rate. The paper quality is very good and photo reproduction is excellent, as are the choices of photos to represent different subjects discussed in the book. Wisely, the author has indicated on selected colour images that they were digitally enhanced. The reader is thus offered the interesting opportunity to make comparisons with those that have been previously published and evaluate the merits of this enhancement. The text is supported by 127 black / white and 22 colour photos of aircraft and components (many new to this writer), 36 figures (includes tactical and national makings placement, mixing utensils, paint thickness, etc.), 14 Oberflächenschutzliste (2 in colour!) and 8 colour profiles. Most importantly, the author has included full transcriptions of all the most important Luftwaffe camouflage and markings documents such as the various Luftwaffendienstvorschiften: L.Dv.521/1 (1938), 521/1 (November 1941), 521/2 (March 1943) and 521/3 (1937), and Sammelmitteilungen Nr.1 (01.07.1944) and Nr.2 (15.08.1944). Indeed, over 1/3 of the book is taken up with these transcriptions and is the first time that they have all been published in their entirety. To facilitate its use as a superior reference, a number of Appendices are present that include:
Finally, and rare for a German publication, no less than four (4) Indexes are included covering aircraft types, RAL numbers and colours (including Italian colours), paint / lacquer / primer / thinner types, and finally, lacquer colours. The book begins with the author laying the foundations of this treatise with an overview of his research methodology (hypothesis / data / interpretations), the basics of colour, theories and uses of camouflage colours, and then a historical review of the evolution of the Luftwaffe's various camouflage schemes and paints. This latter section provides additional discussion on paint application methodologies and special schemes (winter, tropical, naval and night). The main portion of the book deals with the technical description on the evolution of the paints themselves and provides impressive details on the different process of paint manufacturing and raw materials, colour alteration by deviation from prescribed procedures (thinning, mixing, application method(s), drying conditions), substituted materials and their uses, dates of paint and associated material introduction / withdrawal / re-introduction and the like. Through his research, the author has made a number of important discoveries and interpretations, which include:
The author also proposes the fascinating theory that given their almost identical matches the pre-war colours Grau 41 & 42 may later have become the ubiquitous Farbtöne 74 Dunkelgrün and 75 Mittelgrün. While acknowledging no official evidence has yet been discovered to support this theory, nevertheless it goes far in explaining some of the sightings of these colours during the year prior to their official introduction in 1941. No book is perfect and this work is no exception. Slightly detracting from this fine work is its text in the German language. However, to those knowledgeable with the subject and with the help of a good dictionary and/or translation program this should be considered but a modest challenge. For those who prefer to wait it is understood that a full English translation of the book will be published under the title "Luftwaffe Colours" by Hikoki in the summer and will be considerably expanded with over 100 additional photos and more profiles plus a colour paint chip chart. (Readers should note that a colour paint chip chart is currently available directly from the author.) More information on the units of pictured aircraft would have been a nice addition but this omission is understandable given the context of the book. A coated paper would have accentuated the crispness of the photos and more photos would be desirable, although these would have likely raised the cost of the book. A more representative sample of the various Oberflächenschutzlite would be useful, as virtually all included in the book are of bombers and seaplanes with only two late war aircraft (Me 262 and Do 335). However, this is likely due to the paucity of known Os-Liste for mid- to late-war fighter aircraft. In summary, this work is an important publication that no researcher, aircraft restorer or modeller can afford to be without. Those requiring this work now should not hesitate in obtaining it as the German language will not prove insurmountable in the extraction of most information. Also, given its technical focus, it should be considered as a complimentary volume to the long awaited camouflage and markings book by Ken Merrick due from Monogram later this year. The technical details of the various paints, lacquers, primers, coatings, etc., presented are critical to understanding the evolution of the Luftwaffe's camouflage in response to the tremendously varied climatic and environmental conditions its aircraft operated. In addition, the deteriorating progress of the war had a direct and profound impact on these paints, and the responses of the German aviation industry and Luftwaffe were reflected in the production and painting of its aircraft and hence their appearance as seen in period photographs and surviving aircraft. A thorough understanding and appreciation of these processes and their manifestations is vital to those wanting to paint both models and actual aircraft. This book provides the reader with this knowledge and so is very highly recommended. David E. Brown Ullmann, Michael, 2000: "Oberfläschenschutzverfahren und Anstrichstoffe der deutschen Luftfahrtindustries und Luftwaffe 1935-1945". ISBN 3-7637-6201-9 Bernard & Graefe Verlag Heilsbachstrasse 26 D-53123 Bonn Germany This writer would like to extend his sincere thanks to Bernaerd & Graefe for the review copy of this book. Review Copyright © 2000 by David
E. Brown
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Since the publication of Kookaburra's 5 volume "Luftwaffe Camouflage
& Markings" series (Merrick, 1973; Smith & Gallaspy, 1976, 1977;
Smith et al., 1979 and Fleuret, 1981), Ken Merrick's "German Aircraft
Markings" (1977), and Monogram's "Official Painting Guide to Luftwaffe
Aircraft" (Merrick and Hitchcock, 1980), much new research has been
undertaken on the fascinating subject of Luftwaffe camouflage and markings with
the commensurate amount of new interpretations and discoveries. However, these
advances in our knowledge have been presented and/or published in a piecemeal
and haphazard fashion with or without supporting documentation. Further, a
number of controversial theories and interpretations have crept into this field
of research to the point of becoming entrenched and accepted as
"facts". This situation has existed for almost 20 years. Until now.