Handley Page Hampden

Kelly Wellington
So...Now I have a question with regards the livery I have planned.

First, almost all pix I have found for Hampdens (or in-line engine Herefords) have the lower surfaces in non-spec black. This is, of course, how they were fitted for bomber service. I know that the Hampden served in the Coastal Command and I suspected that there was an alternate livery which did not include the 'bomber black'. I think I found it in the 489 Squadron of the RNZAF, stationed at Leuchars in Fife, between April 1942 and November 1943. The problem? I have three separate sets of possible livery colours on Hampdens being presented for that squadron. #1 is Dark Sea Gray over a bilious green which I assume is supposed to be 'Sky'. #2 rendering is in a colour I would reference as 'Deck Tan' (as it was what was called for the underside on my dark gray Mosquito) with an underside of light gray (or again, maybe, 'sky'). #3 is a medium gray over a light gray.

#1 seems out of date, as the Hampden would be replaced by Beaufighters before the Mosquitos which carried this colour scheme in 1944.

#2 I've never seen anywhere. It looks more like it should be in service in the Mediterranean.

#3 Same...I've never seen it.

I was expecting some sort of sand and spinach over duck eggs. Or, even the temperate sea scheme over sky.