The early prototypes of the A-4/V-2 were painted in the familiar black-and-white roll pattern scheme. This scheme was designed to aid in tracking the rocket after launch. This pattern made it easy to observe any variation or roll of the rocket. The exact pattern was changed many times, and as with the rest of the rocket, the pattern was examined and altered if warranted-
Camouflage colors were introduced to the A-4/V-2 during the middle of 1943. At the beginning, three different schemes were designated to be tested-
SCHEME 1 - The Gebatikt (Batiked) pattern, using 5 colors: Cream White, Earth Grey, Oxide Red, Olive Green and Chocolate Brown. This scheme was sprayed and was simular to many traditional camouflage patterns.
SCHEME 2 - The Geflammt (Wavy) pattern, using only three colors: Cream White, Earth Grey and Olive Green.
SCHEME 3 - The Gezackt (Ragged) pattern, using the same three colors as scheme 2. Actually, there were two versions of this ragged scheme. The second version bacame the most popular, and was adopted in March of 1944. Cream White was replaced with Signal White and the ragged pattern simplified. Of the surviving photographs showing A-4/V-2 rockets using the ragged camouflage scheme, the majority of these are the later ragged scheme-
Later, during the waining months of the war, all A-4/V-2 rockets were painted a solid color of Olive Green only. Some Dutch eyewitnesses reported solid Cream White only rockets.
The colors were the same colors used by the German Army throughout WWII. The eight RAL - Reichsausschuss für Lieferbedingungen (Government Committee for Specifications) colors were identified by number as; RAL 9001 Cream White, RAL 9003 Signal White, RAL 7028 Earth Gray, RAL 3039 Oxide Red, RAL 6003 Olive Green, RLM 71 Olive Green, RAL 8017 Chocolate Brown, RAL 9010 Clear White, and RAL 9011 Graphite Black.
Note: RAL 9001 Cream White and RAL 9003 Signal White are not really 'white' at all.
Cream White has a hint of tan to it, while Signal White is more tan
Army rockets did not carry the national aircraft or unit insignia. But, many of the Peenemünde test rockets did carry cartoon illustrations. These illustrations were simular to WWII aircraft nose art in design and connotation. Undoubtedly, many operational A-4/V-2 rockets probably carried hand-scribbled messages directed in jest, toward their intended recipients. Many operational V-2s did have their army serial numbers painted on the body of the rocket near the upper section, as well as the lower section, adjacent to the fins.
Camouflage colors were introduced to the A-4/V-2 during the middle of 1943. At the beginning, three different schemes were designated to be tested-
SCHEME 1 - The Gebatikt (Batiked) pattern, using 5 colors: Cream White, Earth Grey, Oxide Red, Olive Green and Chocolate Brown. This scheme was sprayed and was simular to many traditional camouflage patterns.
SCHEME 2 - The Geflammt (Wavy) pattern, using only three colors: Cream White, Earth Grey and Olive Green.
SCHEME 3 - The Gezackt (Ragged) pattern, using the same three colors as scheme 2. Actually, there were two versions of this ragged scheme. The second version bacame the most popular, and was adopted in March of 1944. Cream White was replaced with Signal White and the ragged pattern simplified. Of the surviving photographs showing A-4/V-2 rockets using the ragged camouflage scheme, the majority of these are the later ragged scheme-
Later, during the waining months of the war, all A-4/V-2 rockets were painted a solid color of Olive Green only. Some Dutch eyewitnesses reported solid Cream White only rockets.
The colors were the same colors used by the German Army throughout WWII. The eight RAL - Reichsausschuss für Lieferbedingungen (Government Committee for Specifications) colors were identified by number as; RAL 9001 Cream White, RAL 9003 Signal White, RAL 7028 Earth Gray, RAL 3039 Oxide Red, RAL 6003 Olive Green, RLM 71 Olive Green, RAL 8017 Chocolate Brown, RAL 9010 Clear White, and RAL 9011 Graphite Black.
Note: RAL 9001 Cream White and RAL 9003 Signal White are not really 'white' at all.
Cream White has a hint of tan to it, while Signal White is more tan
Army rockets did not carry the national aircraft or unit insignia. But, many of the Peenemünde test rockets did carry cartoon illustrations. These illustrations were simular to WWII aircraft nose art in design and connotation. Undoubtedly, many operational A-4/V-2 rockets probably carried hand-scribbled messages directed in jest, toward their intended recipients. Many operational V-2s did have their army serial numbers painted on the body of the rocket near the upper section, as well as the lower section, adjacent to the fins.
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