What Colors Do You Paint Flares in Racks?

BobE · 10 April 2002, 07:13 AM

What colors do you paint flares in racks? I have only seen black and white pictures of them and the parts of the flares showing above and below the racks appear to be a little different. The bottom part looks like a white paper and Boden schatz does mention cardboard cartridges. Are they capped or marked in different colors? It would seem necessary in order for the firer to shoot the proper color. Thanks in advance for any info you can provide.
Bob E

StephenLawson · 13 April 2002, 05:54 AM

I have always used red & green as colors for daylight aircraft. Night operations would probably use white marked cartriges as colours are not mentioned by any of the former bomber or night operation crews (Home Defence for instance)that have been interviewed (to my knowlege at least.) *In my research on the German Kests ( late 1918 ) *they did use red and green flares. *Most of the time it was to signal nearby units of enemy activity (Allied Bombing units) either coming into Germany headed for a target-Green. *Or for units heading out of German territory - Red. *This gave the attending units a direction to look for enemy activity and what direction they maybe heading. STL

BobE · 13 April 2002, 12:38 PM

Stephen,
Thanks for the reply. There seems to be very little tangible info around on this. I am wondering, if they used red and green flares they must have been color coded for the user's benefit. Was the entire casing colored red or green or was just the upper cap? In pictures, the entire flare, where visible above and below the racks or belts containing them appear to be uniformly white. Dan-San once advised that they were brass! I wonder if there are any existent examples around in some museum somewhere. At least it appears I can pretty much use my own opinion until someone comes up with documentation. I can predict with certainty that this will appear the day after I complete my model!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * Bob E *:

StephenLawson · 13 April 2002, 06:24 PM

I tend to stick to red & green over 4/5 of the length of sprue and the primer casing I use a dirty brass colour.

BobE · 14 April 2002, 10:13 AM

Thanks Stephen. That's what I needed; the recommendation of a highly respected modeler that know one will argue with. Now I can say "Well Stephen Lawson says so!"
* * * * * * * * * Bob E

StephenLawson · 15 April 2002, 04:42 AM

Darn it, I do like a good arguement. Maybe I should use a pseu- a pseu- a pseud - a pseudo... fake name.