The Official Monogram U.s. Navy And Marine Corps Aircraft Color Guide- Vol 2-: 1940-1949
by John M. Elliott is a seminal reference work for military historians, aviation enthusiasts, and scale modelers. Published by Monogram Aviation Publications, this volume provides a meticulous, document-based history of the camouflage and markings used by American naval aviation during its most transformative decade—spanning the buildup to World War II, the intensity of the Pacific theater, and the transition into the early jet age. Comprehensive Historical Context
Despite being originally published in the late 1980s by Monogram Aviation Publications , the book remains a staple in the hobby. It provides the necessary evidence to debunk common myths, such as "experimental" schemes that appeared only at the squadron level without official documentation. For those building models of the PBY Catalina or the Douglas TBD Devastator, this guide offers the most authoritative reference for achieving historical accuracy. Vol 2 1940·1949 - Gruppo Falchi Bergamo
In 1945, the Army-Navy Aeronautical (ANA) standard attempted to unify colors across both services. This guide reproduces and explains ANA 157, showing how "Navy Blue Gloss" (ANA 623) differed from "Sea Blue Gloss" (ANA 607). For the first time, historians could see the Navy’s shift to the "Glossy Sea Blue" overall scheme late in the war—a direct precursor to the modern jet age. by John M
specifically zeroes in on the explosive growth years of 1940 through 1949. This period begins with the "Yellow Wings" era fading out and ends with the introduction of high-speed jets like the F9F Panther and the Banshee. Unlike Volume 1 (covering the pre-war years) or later volumes, this decade includes:
: Specific documentation on how technical stencils and safety markings (like ejection seat warnings) were applied to various airframes. Why It Remains Relevant Vol 2 1940·1949 - Gruppo Falchi Bergamo In
Websites will tell you a color "looks like" something. Monogram tells you the chemical formula and the official stock number. For museums restoring an FM-2 Wildcat or a T-6 Texan (used as a hacksaw in the late 40s), this guide is the signed affidavit of authenticity.
First, a word on credibility. The "Official Monogram" series carries weight because it is built on primary source documents. Author John M. Elliott and the team at Monogram Aviation Publications didn’t guess by looking at faded warbirds at airshows. They went into the National Archives and pulled the actual . Your monitor is RGB (light)
In the world of historical aviation research and scale modeling, few things are as debated, elusive, or critical as color. A modeler can have perfect rivet detail and seamless seams, but if the paint is wrong, the illusion fails. For decades, enthusiasts of United States Naval aviation have turned to a single, definitive source to settle disputes and guide their airbrushes:
Why do we need a 30+ year old guide in the digital age? Because the internet is filled with "screen-visible" color matching. Your monitor is RGB (light); aircraft paint is CMYK/RAL/Lacquer. The Monogram guide was created using spectrophotometry on actual preserved artifacts and original paint chips from the Naval Supply Depot.