In message , Ian
writes
At this URL...

http://homepages.paradise.net.nz/southfly/hampden.htm

I have posted several pictures of 489 NZ Sqn Hampdens. I am trying to
gather information on why one Hampden (XA-Y) appears to be painted in
an 'ocean' grey and sky scheme, yet images of both earlier and later
Hampdens from the sqn show them in Green/Brown/Black schemes. (Of
course, the photo dates could be wrong...).

Hi Ian
Looking at the photos on the web and a couple of the same aircraft in
the Hampden Special I believe this aircraft is painted in the standard
Coastal Command scheme of extra dark sea grey and dark slate grey over
sky. Note that all the photos are from the same shoot and that the less
common type of B&W film (Orthochrome I think, I can never remember which
is which). This type of film gives some unusual effects with certain
colours, and the roundels are the giveaway - the red and blue tonal
values are reversed, with red coming out nearly black, and the yellow is
very dark. One noticeable trait of this type of film is it is very
difficult to distinguish between EDSG and DSG - the Hampden Special has
very faint tonal variations which may or may not be a camouflage
pattern. Note also the lack of underwing roundels, another trait of
Coastal command schemes.
The photos in the special are credited "British Official" and appear to
come from a walkround series - these were usually taken for a reason -
whether this was the colour scheme, the modified bomb doors (to enclose
a torpedo) or something else I don't know.
--
Dave Swindell