|
|||||
The NKAP Templates Explained
Part 2
This pattern was much more in line with the other NKAP template
work, and represented a much better scheme from the point of view of the Factories.
This application is certainly known on numerous Pe-2s, and seems to have been
in use right through 1945. It is also interesting to note that this same pattern
might have been executed with AII lacquers (probably Green, Light Brown, and
Brown), as well. A number of NKAP Var.#2 schemes of this type wear colors that
are very incongruous with the appearance of AMT, but in line with AII; noting
that the Pe-2 programme utilized large quantities of AII lacquer right through
to the Post War period, it seems very plausible that this was in fact done.
As well, several permutations of this arrangement are known in AII colors on
the Pe-2, and one has to think here that this template again was the source
of inspiration for these.
The appearance of the Pe-2 in Ax-m metal lacquers is most interesting, as well.
These colors are all quite dark, and the resulting contrast within the scheme
is very low indeed.
This effect is all the more pronounced in black-and-white
photography [you can replicate this to a degree by viewing this image in Greyscale],
where the colors are often completely indistinguishable. I have the suspicion
that this is in fact the reason why we see so many late War Pe-2s drawn in various
artwork in single color green schemes. I would contend, rather, that most of
these are very probably Ax-m lacquer camouflage applications.
The Variant #2 template was thought to have been used on the Tu-2 programme, as well, and certainly there are many examples of this aircraft that seem to be wearing versions of this scheme. Alas, the full story of the development and implementation of coloration on the Tu-2 programme remains largely unknown.
U-2/Po-2
The venerable kurkurznik ('corn-stalk
cutter') was not exempt from the design intentions of the NKAP during the Great
Patriotic War. During 1943 an NKAP template was issued for this extraordinarily
useful machine, and was intended for use on the military versions of the aircraft,
only. The template lists the AMT colors -4/-12/-1 again, and but really offers
little else in elaboration.
The
number of photographs of U-2s (Po-2s) in various collections dating from the
GPW are certainly in the thousands. And the permutations of odd, strange, curious,
brilliant, absurd, indifferent, and remarkable camouflage applications shown
therein are beyond any count. But in all of that, one simply does not run across
any U-2 that I can recall which features this pattern. Indeed, one rarely encounters
a U-2 that is possibly covered in AMT lacquers of any kind.
With so many known examples, why do we not see this one?
I suspect that the answer is very logical, in fact. AII aviation aerolacquers
were developed during the 1930's specifically to cover fabric surfaces. Indeed,
this is precisely why the NKAP recommended the use of AII Aluminum as a primer
for fabric surfaces later on. Noting that the U-2 is entirely fabric covered,
it seems altogether possible that AMT lacquers were never used by the Factories
making the workman-like biplane because these would have given inferior results
to AII. It is certainly true that there are no described AMT camouflage applications
from the Factories for the U-2; perhaps this is the explanation why.
As well, there was certainly no need for additional camouflage
patterns on this programme. The number of Factory applied schemes on the U-2
is astounding, and one cannot see where any of these Factories would have needed
to increase their already burgeoning repertoires of applications. With AII possibly
in exclusive use, and no need for additional scheme ideas, it seems very possible
that the manufacturers of the U-2 simply ignored the NKAP templates altogether
(as, by the way, they were certainly entitled to do).