Lockheed PV-1 Ventura

The Venturas were delivered to the RAF and SAAF in the standard three-colour US Navy scheme. Fuselage decking and flying surfaces were Sea Blue, the flanks Intermediate Blue and the undersides White. The US insignia, overpainted with an approximate background colour, were replaced by B and C1 roundels and standard fin flashes, in which Orange replaced the RAF Red, as usual.

Post war, the standard fit in the 1950s was Extra Dark Sea Grey upper surfaces and Sky undersides. The squadron codes (MS for 17 Squadron and MT for 22 Squadron) were in Yellow and individual aircraft letters were repeated, also in Yellow, on the tailplane above the rear fuselage. A Blue separating tape was used on the White nose radomes. Spinners and whell covers were Red or Blue, depending on the flight, while the underside serial numbers were placed parallel to the wing leading edges.

Before they ended their service, a number of Venturas wore an upper surface finish of Dark Sea Grey (which matched the upper surface finish of the SAAF’s Buccaneers). The undersides were finished in PRU Blue with a single Yellow aircraft letter which was placed immediately ahead of the Castle insignia. All paintwork was gloss.