Paint Policy
Overview
Because JG Nr. I is a historically inspired cyber-squadron, our official paint schemes are pseudo-historical. We, of course, follow authentic German examples of color and camouflage, looking to the historical Jagdgeschwader 1 for inspiration. However, liberties have been taken for both stylistic and functional reasons.
The JG Nr. I Paint Policy is as follows:
Basic Standards
1. All official JG Nr. I paint schemes, be they for Central or Allied aircraft, must be approved by the Geschwaderstab before they can be included in an official JG Nr. I Paint Pack.
2. All JG Nr. I pilots, who are full and active members of the squadron, are entitled to have one personal paint scheme added to a paint pack for every German aircraft flown by the Unit.
3. All JG Nr. I paint schemes for Rise of Flight and Flying Circus (IL-2 Great Battles) must be saved as a DDS file, with a size of 2048×2048 pixels per inch. All DDS files must include an Alpha layer, which allows for realistic reflections on aircraft surfaces.
Camouflage Schemes & Colors
1. Historical camouflage patterns are to be used as much as possible, keeping in mind that there are often exceptional aircraft that break commonly held standards.
2. Mid-war aircraft (1916) are to use the standard brown and green camouflage on their wings, as seen on aircraft like the Albatros D.II.
3. Late Mid-war aircraft (1916-1917) are to use the standard purple and green camouflage on their wings, as seen on aircraft like the Albatros D.III. Note that different manufacturers sometimes added their own interpretations to specific aircraft.
Some examples:
a. Light greys on LFG Roland C.IIs
b. Greens and Browns on Fokker D.IIs
c. Streaky olive green over a turquoise base on Fokker Dr.Is.
4. Late-war aircraft (1917-1918) are to use the Lozenge (Buntfarbenaufdruck) camouflage, noting that a variety of different patterns and colors were used, including special styles for naval aircraft and night bombers.
5. Historical colors should be used as much as possible when choosing paint colors for an official JG Nr. I paint scheme. Hue and monitor variations, as well as simulated weathering and simulated wear-and-tear, should all be taken into account, however. If real color shades are not available, due to conflicting sources, other non-historical colors may be used so long as they closely resemble the historical colors.
General Markings
1. All JG Nr. I aircraft are to display the Schwarzes Kreuz (black cross) in historically appropriate places. As a squadron, JG Nr. I will use the three archetypal variants of the Schwarzes Kreuz: the Early-war Tatzenkruez design (1914 – 1915), the Mid-war Tatzenkruez design (1916 – March 1918) and the Late-war Balkenkreuz design (March 1918 – 1919). A complete stylistic evolution of the Schwarzes Kreuz can be found here.
2. The Hakenkreuz (hook cross or swastika) is not to be used on any JG Nr. I aircraft attached to the official JG Nr. I Paint Pack, even though it was often used in the early 20th century as a sign of good luck. The use of the Hakenkreuz violates Dictum #3 of JG Nr. I’s Dicta Jagdgeschwader (code of conduct document).
Unit Markings
1. All JG Nr. I aircraft, circa 1916-1918, must display appropriate Jagdstaffel (Jasta) colors and/or markings.
2. Jagdstaffel markings depend on the specific Jasta, the year, and the aircraft type. While some freedom is allowed, these unit markings should be as accurate as possible, emulating historical examples.
3. Jagdstaffel 4 (Jasta 4) colors:
a. Halberstadt D.Vs during 1916 were reddish-brown and olive green in color, with blue undersides.
b. The classic Jasta 4 unit marking is a single black spiral band, which encircles (wraps around) the fuselage of the aircraft from nose to tail. This marking was used in 1917 and 1918, and is most often seen on Albatros D.IIIs, Albatros D.Vs, Pfalz D.IIIs and other aircraft of similar type.
c. Fokker Dr.Is should carry off-white cowlings, struts and wheel covers. The black spiral was deemed not possible to continue on the triplane.
d. Fokker D.VIIs should carry black noses, struts and wheel covers.
4. Jagdstaffel 6 (Jasta 6) colors:
a. The classic Jasta 6 unit markings are black and white chordwise stripes on the upper and lower tailplane surfaces, with black noses. These markings were used throughout 1917, and are often seen on Albatros D.IIIs and Albatros D.Vs.
b. Fokker Dr.Is should carry black and white stripes on the tailplane (top and bottom), and black engine cowlings.
c. Fokker D.VIIs and Fokker E.Vs should carry black and white tailplanes (top and bottom), with black and white cowlings. A black and white petal pattern was also used on the cowlings of the Fokker E.Vs. Black and white wheel covers are the norm, as is the use of lozenge wings and fuselages.
5. Jagdstaffel 10 (Jasta 10) colors:
a. The classic Jasta 10 unit marking is a yellow nose. These are found on Albatros D.IIIs and Albatros D.Vs throughout 1917.
b. Pfalz D.IIIs and Fokker D.VIIs should carry yellow noses. It is also possible to supplement the yellow noses with yellow struts and wheel covers.
c. Fokker Dr.Is should also carry yellow noses. These can be painted in chrome. It is also possible to paint the struts and wheel covers in yellow.
6. Jagdstaffel 11 (Jasta 11) colors:
a. The classic Jasta 11 unit marking is a red nose, often supplemented with red on the engine cowling, struts and wheel covers. This style of marking dates from 1917 to 1918, and is found on Albatros D.IIIs, Albatros D.Vs, Fokker Dr.Is, and Fokker D.VIIs.
b. Identification within Jasta 11 is done through the use of an alternate “personal” color on the tail. All red aircraft are not allowed out of respect for Rittm. Manfred von Richthofen.
Personal Markings
1. All active JG Nr. I personnel are allowed to choose a personal marking, which can be placed on their aircraft. Traditionally, these markings take the form of an emblem which is placed underneath the port and / or starboard side of the cockpit. A personal color, used alongside a Jagdstaffel (Jasta) colors or marking, is also recommended.
2. A pilot’s personal marking can take many different forms. They can be name tags, cartoon figures, emblems, color patterns or civic flags. It is of course preferred that these personal markings fall into the style of historical examples. Further, all personal markings must be pre-approved by the Geschwaderstab and conform with the Dicta Jagdgeschwader. As a result, no Nazi or NSDAP heraldry may be used, as this would violate Dictum #3.
3. Personal victory markings, known as Abschussbalken (kill bars) did not exist within the Luftstreitkräfte (German Air Arm) of the First World War. As a result, their use is prohibited within JG Nr. I.
4. Counting bullet holes on aircraft was a form of sport by pilots and ground crews, however. Bullet holes were repaired with a small bit of airplane fabric, and were painted with the attacker’s national emblem (a roundel) and the date of the shooting. Called “corn plasters” (hühneraugenpflaster), these early form of honor markings are allowed as a way to dress up a personal paint scheme.
5. Gaudy non-historical markings are discouraged- where possible, historical examples are to be used.
Conclusions
1. JG Nr. I’s paint policy is firmly rooted in historical inspiration. However, in-game requirements and the need for artistic expression are taken into account.
2. A nutshell summary of the above:
a. All official JG Nr. I paint schemes should have a Jasta color painted on them. A personal color, used to identify the specific pilot, is also highly recommended.
b. Paint schemes should avoid gaudy non-historical markings. While subjective to personal taste, no JG Nr. I paint scheme should look like a “clown car.”
c. No JG Nr. I paint scheme can violate JG Nr. I’s code of conduct document. All hate symbols are banned. No Nazi or NSDAP heraldry may be used, as this would violate Dictum #3.
d. Paint schemes should attempt to match the aesthetics of the other JG Nr. I paint schemes already approved for use in the official JG Nr. I Paint Pack.
3. All questions regarding the above rules should be directed to the Geschwaderstab.
Addendum No. 1
Entente Aircraft Overview
1. While JG Nr. I is a German-focused geschwader, there are times when the unit flies Entente aircraft. This is especially true during tournaments.
2. Please refer to the following addendum when looking to create Entente personal skins.
Basic Standards
1. Historical color and camouflage patterns appropriate to the aircraft and the period of the aircraft are to be used as much as possible.
2. Historically appropriate roundels are to be used at all times. These must be from the Allied combatant nations. Allied combatants include, but are not limited to, the principal Allied Powers (the United Kingdom, France, Russia, Italy, Belgium, and the United States).
3. All Entente aircraft must show an Entente nation’s historical cockade on the rudder. These cockades cannot be overpainted and must match the national roundel used on the wings and fuselage of the aircraft.
4. Historical Armee de l’air (AdA), Royal Flying Corps/Royal Air Force (RFC/RAF), and United States Army Air Service (USAAS) color shades should be used as much as possible when choosing paint colors for an Entente paint scheme. However, hue and monitor variation, simulated weathering, and simulated wear-and-tear should be considered. If accurate colors shades do not look correct, other non-historical colors may closely resemble historic colors. A color reference chart for specific periods is available below:
b. Royal Flying Corps/Royal Air Force (RFC/RAF)
c. United States Army Air Service (USAAS)
5. All Entente aircraft should show appropriate squadron colors (red, yellow, black, and white) on the vertical stabilizer or tail. Look to historical examples for how these markings should be applied.
6. Regarding squadron recognition codes, all Entente aircraft should use either a <>YZ or a YZ<> formula. In this formula:
a. <> represents the placement of the national roundel. The roundel must be from an Allied combatant nation.
b. Y will always be the first letter of the pilot’s nickname or online handle.
c. Z is optional. But when used, will always be the last letter of a pilot’s nickname – OR – the second letter of a pilot’s nickname.
7. Personal markings should be restrained and appropriate to the aircraft and period. Gaudy markings that are non-historical should be avoided. No aircraft should look like a “clown car.”
8. No paint scheme can violate JG Nr. I’s code of conduct document. All hate symbols are banned. No swastikas may be used, even if there is an attempt to replicate the pre-WW2 “luck symbols.” Any violation of this is a violation of Dictum #3.
9. JG 1 personnel cannot display any form of victory markings on their aircraft. Victory markings did not exist during the First World War. This restriction has also been implemented to prevent the constant updating of skins and stolen valor incidents.
10. However, pilots and ground crews counted bullet holes on aircraft as a sport. Bullet holes were repaired with a small bit of airplane fabric and painted with the attacker’s national emblem (a German cross). The shooting date was also added. Called “corn plasters,” these early forms of honor markings are allowed as a way to dress up a personal paint scheme.