again in colour

WW2 photos

Their war years, in colour.

A portrait in uniform, a wartime wedding, home on leave. Upload the photo and see it in colour in about twenty seconds. Your first one is free.

First one free, no sign-up. Ready in about 20 seconds.

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Wing Commander C. G. C. Olive home after seven years with the RAF, with his English bride and his mother, Brisbane, 1943, in colour
Wing Commander C. G. C. Olive home after seven years with the RAF, with his English bride and his mother, Brisbane, 1943, original
BeforeAfter
Wing Commander C. G. C. Olive home after seven years with the RAF, with his English bride and his mother, Brisbane, 1943. Drag to compare.

What to expect.

  • Studio portraits and snapshots both work

    A formal portrait or a small snapshot from a family album both colour well. Scan it, or photograph it straight on in daylight.

  • The colours are a best estimate

    Khaki and air force blue come out well. Ribbons, badges and insignia can't be read from a black-and-white print, so check details that matter against service records.

  • Small snapshots come out softer

    Many wartime photos were small contact prints. Colouring doesn't add detail that isn't there, so scan the original at its sharpest.

Lieutenant Arnold Just and Private Verlie Tainton with their attendants after their wedding, Brisbane, 1942, in colour
Lieutenant Arnold Just and Private Verlie Tainton with their attendants after their wedding, Brisbane, 1942, original
BeforeAfter
Lieutenant Arnold Just and Private Verlie Tainton with their attendants after their wedding, Brisbane, 1942

Many wartime weddings happened in uniform. In colour, the day looks like any other wedding: cake, flowers and big smiles.

Colour yours free

Questions

Good to know.

Can you colour a small wartime snapshot?

Yes. Scan it at a high resolution, or photograph it close up in daylight without glare. The preview is free, so you can see how it comes out first.

Will the uniform be the right colour?

Usually close, but not guaranteed. Army khaki and air force blue come out well; ribbons and insignia are the model's estimate, so check them against records if accuracy matters.

How much does it cost?

Previews are free: one straight away, and up to three if you add your email. Keeping one photo costs £9, five photos cost £19 and twenty-five cost £49, paid once, with VAT included.

What happens to my photos?

They're deleted automatically after 7 days. They're used only to colour your photo, and we never share them.

Prices, privacy and more on the home page. Other kinds of photo: WW1 soldier photos · Old wedding photos · Victorian photos · Edwardian photos · Old photos of children