Warbird Information Exchange

I have a quick question regarding the “Cream and Green” color scheme that I have seen on many WWII-era military aircraft instruments. It is not a radium dial, but what was the purpose of the green color? I have seen these types of gauges primarily used in Navy aircraft... was this a Navy standard? It doesn't have the typical anchor stamp on it anywhere, nor does it have any sort of Naval depot decal. Was it just a post-radium color scheme? Anyone have the background on it? This altimeter is an example of what I am talking about. I have 5 of these altimeters and this is the first to have a non-radium, cream and green face. I don't want to have the face re-done as it is in perfect condition, but I am wondering what the original application would have been... Can anyone confirm the proper application of this color scheme and/or the appropriate time period of application?

Thanks in advance.



Here's the aforementioned altimeter next to a standard radium B-8 airspeed indicator.

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Taylor Stevenson

And...

During the 1941-45 time period, were all instruments painted in luminescent, radium paint? I had heard there was a shift in 43/44/45? to a non-radium paint, but have found no written confirmation. I have aircraft instruments that are most definitely WWII-era that don't make the Geiger counter go nuts, which would seem to prove the non-radium paint theory, but I cannot be sure and would like more details.

There's gotta be an instrument nut out there???

On a side note, my child will end up like Superman with all the radium I hang around

T

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Taylor Stevenson

Maybe used with red lights?

It could also be fluorescent, meant to be used with ultraviolet cockpit lighting

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Lest Hero-worship raise it's head and cloud our vision, remember that World War II was fought and won by the same sort of twenty-something punks we wouldn't let our daughters date.