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Aircraft profiles

dewoitine

SOH-CM-2025
Hey !
I am looking for a site of aircraft profiles from the WW1 and WW2. There was a Russian site that I can’t find due to conflict.
Thank you for your answer.
 
If you’re after WW1 & WW2 aircraft colour profiles:


1. The “mystery” Russian site​


  • Wings Palette – classic Russian-hosted colour-profile site.
  • Old address: wp.scn.ru (often referenced as “Wings Palette”).WW2 Aircraft Forums+2CombatACE+2
  • Access can be unreliable from outside Russia now (sanctions / routing issues), which is probably why you can’t reach it.
2. Very similar / related Russian resources
  1. flyingmachines.ru
    • Huge WW1 focus: profiles, photos, and text from the “Centennial Perspective” & similar series.Flying Machines+1
    • Often carries the same artwork you used to see on Wings Palette, especially for Great War types.Britmodeller
  2. airwar.ru – “Уголок неба / Sky Corner”
    • Massive Russian aviation reference site with sections for WW2 fighters, bombers, etc.Airwar+1
    • Has 3-view drawings, line art, and some colour/marking info; not as “pure profile gallery” as Wings Palette, but very useful.
3. Non-Russian profile collections
  1. BoxArtDen – Aircraft Profiles
    • Scans of classic Aircraft Profile and Aircam booklets (WW1 and WW2).Box Art Den
    • Lots of RAF, USAAF, Luftwaffe, etc. bomber and fighter profiles in one place.
  2. PlanesInProfile.com
    • Smaller, more focused site; detailed WW2 fighter profiles with notes on pilots and units.Planes in Profile
  3. Virtual Aircraft Museum / 3-view sites
    • Not so much colour profiles as 3-view drawings, but still handy for modellers and sim-skinners.WW2 Aircraft Forums+1
 

Aircraft Colour Profiles – Quick Reference Sheet

WW1 & WW2 colour schemes, camouflage, and squadron/aircraft codes


1. The former Russian go-to sites
Wings Palette
URL:
traditionally wp.scn.ru
  • Massive collection of WW1 & WW2 colour profiles.
  • Includes camouflage variations, squadron codes, theatre markings, individual aircraft identifiers.
  • Access now unreliable due to geopolitical blocking, but still the site many people remember.
FlyingMachines.ru (WW1-heavy)
  • Excellent for Great War aircraft, markings, and unit flavours.
  • Often contains the same art that used to circulate on Wings Palette, especially for early fighters and two-seaters.
  • Good for colours, national variations, and experimental schemes.
Airwar.ru / Уголок Неба (WW2-heavy)
  • Large reference library with line art, some colour profiles, and technical data.
  • Strong on Luftwaffe, Soviet, Japanese, and Italian aircraft.
  • Not strictly a profile gallery, but gives reliable camouflage pattern descriptions.
2. Excellent non-Russian alternatives
BoxArtDen – Aircraft Profiles Archive

  • Scans of the classic Profile Publications and Aircam/Airwar booklets.
  • Superb source for RAF Bomber Command, Luftwaffe night fighters, USAAF, IJAAF, IJN, Regia Aeronautica, etc.
  • Includes unit codes, serials, squadron colours, nose art, theatre bands, tail flashes.
PlanesInProfile.com
  • Curated WW2 fighter profiles.
  • Each artwork includes pilot/unit information, variant details, and historical context.
WW2Aircraft.net Forum – Colour/Markings Section
  • Many of the old profile sheets re-posted by enthusiasts.
  • Very good for clarifying squadron codes, serial placements, and differences between marks.
Imperial War Museum (IWM) Photo Archive
  • Not profiles, but authentic colour photos, rare slides, and factory finish images.
  • Extremely reliable for verifying tone, pattern, and stencil position.

3. Good supplementary sources for authenticity
Osprey Aircraft Series (book scans online)

  • Widely shared online.
  • Profiles are modern, high-quality, and often based on original ORB/logbook research.
  • Especially strong for Luftwaffe Experten, RAF aces, and unit-specific schemes.
Classic Publications / Jerry Crandall artwork
  • Among the most accurate for JG 26, JG 300, RAF night battles, etc.
  • Often reproduced on modelling forums.
Model-specific profile collections

For colour scheme accuracy, modelling communities can be invaluable:
  • Britmodeller (RAF, Fleet Air Arm, camouflage discussions)
  • Hyperscale (Luftwaffe details, late-war colours, RLM debates)
  • The Aerodrome Forum (WW1 national markings & camouflage)
 
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