RAF aircraft were painted in standardized camo patterns, the colours involved depended on the role of the aircraft in question and the geographical region it served in. Paint scheme versions existed for both land and sea operations in both tropical and temperate areas. It is worth noting that underside colours were not technically tied to the upper surface colour combinations. For example, Azure Blue was adopted for use by units in tropical areas like Malta/N. Africa because Sky, at one time in widespread use by RAF day fighters over NW Europe, stood out like a sore thumb in other areas of the world. Nationality markings were also standardized with regard to size and placement on the aircraft. The use of colourful pre-war squadron markings (not unlike US FG markings as seen on wartime P-51/P-47s) was suspended for the duration of hostilities, and replaced by the use of code letters.
There are, of course, always exceptions to the rule...
