British Aircrew Going Green
Since the Second World War, most (see exception) flying clothing had been produced in shades of blue / grey, life preservers in orange / yellow, protective helmets were white or silver. This all changed to green at some point dring the Cold War.
Ground equipment also changed from anti-collision yellow to green, the date of this change may be found to coincide with the flying equipment, if I can find evidence of that too.
This page is about gathering evidence of that date when the change happened.
Please note, that I believe there have been two different green colours used to paint flying helmets, starting off quite dark, then a change to a lighter green as can be seen on modern helmets. The original change to dark green is documented below, however, the switch to the slightly lighter green is still un-evidenced at time of writing.
RAF/RN Resources
RAFSC Eng SI, Volume 3, Part 4, Section 3, Mod FC/0101/RAFG (14 April 1974)
This modification is applicable to helmets: Mk1A, Mk2, Mk2A, Mk3, Mk3A, Mk3B. It should be noted that this list includes all protective helmets in service at this time. Also it should be noted that only the Hawk aircrat is listed as applicable for an unknown reason, perhaps this may have been the original trial for the green colour.
Quote:
This modification introduces Matt Dark Green paint when required to either camoflage or to reduce reflective glare of aircrew protective helmets.
This document also notes the Air Ministry Stores Reference number of the paint as: 33B/2242595, Paint Matt Dark Green.
In order to establish what 33B/2242595, Paint Matt Dark Green looks like, in absence of any information cross refrencing Air Ministry Stores Reference (Section 33B) numbers to standard paint codes, I found the following reference:
AP101B-1005-1A, Section 2, Chapter 4 (AL 102, June 1982)
Unrelated to aircrew flight equipment, this document is the paiting guide for the T5 Lightning; however, it defines "Dark Green" as, quote:
BS 381C/641M
This is assuming the definintion of "Dark Green" didn't change between 1974 and 1982.
BS381C 641 relates to: HTML Hex: #56564A | RGBA: 86,86,74,1
The document can be found in my EE Lightning Technical resource page.
Service Photographs
RAF Harrier GR1, 1 Sqn, early 1970s
This image (estimated to be from 1972 to 1974) shows a Mk3B helmet in Dark Green worn by a Harrier GR1 pilot.
It is interesting to note that the headset and chin strap screws, and cradle harness adjustment fittings have been sprayed over with green paint, indicating an in-service re-spray, rather than coming from the Helmets Ltd factory in green.
Exception
Jungle Green Mk2 / Mk2A fling coverall
This quote from AP1182E, Volume 1, Section 1, chapter 16 (AL 69, June 1958) shows us that "Jungle Green" Mk2 / Mk2A flying coveralls were avilable at the end of the 1950's.
Quote:
4. Suits are made in two colours, blue-grey and jungle green, for use in appropriate conditions.