Uniform of AR pilot, Serbanescu

I am looking for information on the colour of the uniform worn by Alexandru Serbanescu in this picture



What I need to know are the following:
- What colour was the blazer? Was it blue, navy or green? - What colour were the trousers? Were they the same as the blazer?
- What colour was the cap?
- What colour was the tie?
- What colour were the shoes? Brown or Black?
- What colour was the shirt? White or light blue?
- What colour were collar patches (braids)? Green?

Any info that could precisely identify the colour will be greatly appreciated. Are there any colour photographs of such a uniform?

Radu

This post has been edited by Radub on January 16, 2009 11:31 am

I have seen a colour drawing of Serbanescu in one of the Rumanian books (perhaps Armata Romana, by RAI?), where you can find the answers (of course, if you trust the artist).

Gen. Dénes

Hi Denes,
I have the book and the artist is Horia Serbanescu. I am working on a 1/32 figure and I need info on how it should be painted. I need to get as close as possible to the real colours.

Was the uniform the same colour as the RAF blue? This is a relatively darker blue.

http://books.google.ie/books?id=iHzWAjDrlb...orm&lr=#PPP1,M1

Was it the same as the Luftwaffe blue? This is a relatively greyish blue.

http://books.google.ie/books?id=agsYY4Sqtc...orm&lr=#PPP1,M1

Another question I have is about the "propeller" on the left upper arm. Did Serbanescu wear such a symbol at the time of that photo?

All help welcome.
Radu

The romanian WWII aviation uniform was more likely dark blue-grey (albastru-petrol)
There is an intersting article about this issue in a french magasine Militaria ( I had scanned but I lost the HDD with that scan) maybe someone could help you with a copy.
Anyway I will look in to my pictures from Pipera Museum mayby I find the original uniform exibited there.

See below the link with the french magazine

http://militaria.histoireetcollections.com...ne-1941-42.html

Hi Cantacuzino,
Is that article good? I was looking into buying it by their postage fee is 8 euro for a 6 euro magazine. Before I spend that kind of money, I would llike to make sure that it is worthwhile. Are there many photos, colour references etc?

Also, I would greatly appreciate if you sent those photos from Pipera to me. they will definitely answer the question of colour.

Radu

The Militaria magasines are known for this kind of uniforms article. They dressed a real man in WW2 uniform (original ar repro) and they made pictures, explaining the colors and materials of accesories (googles,gloves etc). As i remember in this rom. av. article are both flying suit and street uniforms.

I can not tell you if it worth the money but I think is the best you can find on the market.

Sounds like good value for money to me. That is what I need.
I will get the magazine. Please let me know if you find the Pipera photos.

In the meantime, if anyone has any replies to my questions, all answers will be most welcome.
Radu

I have posted on this forum in the past uniforms, visor caps, side caps and shoulder boards from the AR in the blue colors you are looking for. They should still be availble. The shades of blue will vary due to different manufacture, time period, and tailor shop. For the purpose of your model figure, Serbenescu's drawings are fairly accurate in color.

Thanks REGAL UNIFORMA COLECTOR, I already got some info from previous posts. I would really like to make sure that I get it as close to "right" as possible.
I ordered the magazine that Cantacuzino recommended. Hopefully that will answer the specific questions I asked above.
Radu

The two images of air force uniforms posted by REGAL UNIFORMA COLLECTOR still visible on the forum:

http://www.worldwar2.ro/forum/index.php?sh...indpost&p=56947
http://www.worldwar2.ro/forum/index.php?sh...indpost&p=50708

Thanks Victor,
I found those pages while researching this subject. They are very interesting.
This particular image shows the colour and texture, which is very similar to "RAF Blue":


One more question: in this photo the cuff ranks are placed on a purple patch that matches the colour of the collar patches (braids). Was that common practice, and if so, considering that Serbanescu was a fighter pilot and his collar patches were supposed to be green, should there be a green patch under his cuff ranks?

Radu

This post has been edited by Radub on January 17, 2009 12:13 pm

Here are a couple of photos (taken from Denes Bernad's Rumanian Aces of World War 2)

They both seem to indicate that there is a patch of colur under the cufff ranks.





Radu

This post has been edited by Radub on January 17, 2009 12:24 pm

The magazine with the article arrived this morning. It is very good and it answers many questions. Thanks for the hint Cantacuzino.

Were the buttons on the tunic/blazer (on chest and cuffs) white or yellow metal?

My question about the base patch under the cuff ranks is still standing. The photo in the article is not very clear, but there seems to be a patch there.


Is there any information about that?

Radu