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Remembered Today:

Squadron Markings


hmsk212

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Hi,

 

I came across this when I was at Kew on Saturday and wondered if there are complete lists of these markings available anywhere.

 

Steve

1022681068_SquadronMarkings.JPG.8e26288104d766f6522d033480590afd.JPG

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The subject was covered in the book 'British Aviation Squadron Markings of World War I: RFC - RAF - RNAS' by Les Rogers.

 

Copies are still available, but are a bit pricey.

 

Graeme

 

 

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4 hours ago, hmsk212 said:

Hi,

 

I came across this when I was at Kew on Saturday and wondered if there are complete lists of these markings available anywhere.

 

Steve

1022681068_SquadronMarkings.JPG.8e26288104d766f6522d033480590afd.JPG

Hi

 

TNA, AIR 1/867/204/5/523 has letter CRFC. 1693 (G). dated 23rd April, 1916, has the original markings as applied to the BE.2 squadrons, other squadron types did not need them then.

TNA, AIR 1/1589/204/82/74 has letter CRFC 1693G  with markings for squadrons dated 26 August 1917.

 

'Camouflage '14-'18 Aircraft' by O G Thetford, Harborough Publishing, 1943, has pages 62 to 77 showing drawings of British squadron markings.

'Aircraft Camouflage and Markings 1907-1954' compiled by Bruce Robinson, Harleyford, 1956, has pages 42 to 45 showing similar drawings to above of British squadron markings.

 

I hope that is of use.

 

Mike

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8 hours ago, hmsk212 said:

Hi,

 

I came across this when I was at Kew on Saturday and wondered if there are complete lists of these markings available anywhere.

 

Steve

1022681068_SquadronMarkings.JPG.8e26288104d766f6522d033480590afd.JPG

Hi

 

TNA, AIR 1/867/204/5/523 has letter CRFC. 1693 (G). dated 23rd April, 1916, has the original markings as applied to the BE.2 squadrons, other squadron types did not need them then.

TNA, AIR 1/1589/204/82/74 has letter CRFC 1693G  with markings for squadrons dated 26 August 1917.

 

'Camouflage '14-'18 Aircraft' by O G Thetford, Harborough Publishing, 1943, has pages 62 to 77 showing drawings of British squadron markings.

'Aircraft Camouflage and Markings 1907-1954' compiled by Bruce Robinson, Harleyford, 1956, has pages 42 to 45 showing similar drawings to above of British squadron markings.

 

I hope that is of use.

 

Mike

 

Hi

 

A 'PS', I should mention other 'temporary' markings were worn by Corps squadrons when undertaking particular tasks, these were not 'squadron' markings but were to identifying the particular aeroplane to the troops on the ground they were supporting.  These tasks included Contact Patrols, Counter Attack Patrols, aeroplanes supporting Cavalry formations and Tank units as well as machines involved in ammunition dropping.  These markings can be seen in quite a number of photos of RE.8s, FK.8s and BE.2s in particular, also the markings worn are mentioned in orders and instructions prior to a battle.  As I mentioned these are not identifying a squadron but particular aeroplanes undertaking a particular task.  For those that are interested I had an article published in the Summer 1916 edition of 'Cross & Cockade International' on this subject ('Markings worn by RFC/RAF Contact Patrol and Associated Mission Aeroplanes') which illustrates the markings that were worn in addition to squadron markings.  The Corps squadrons had their squadron markings removed from the 22 March 1918 and other squadrons had their markings changed from that date.

 

Mike

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Many thanks to you both for your replies.  I will look up the references next time I am at Kew and also keep an eye out for the books by Les Rogers and Bruce Robinson. Mike I will also look out for the Cross and Cockade International item you had published in I assume 2016 rather than 1916 unless you are a lot older than I think.

 

Steve

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13 hours ago, hmsk212 said:

Many thanks to you both for your replies.  I will look up the references next time I am at Kew and also keep an eye out for the books by Les Rogers and Bruce Robinson. Mike I will also look out for the Cross and Cockade International item you had published in I assume 2016 rather than 1916 unless you are a lot older than I think.

 

Steve

Hi

 

Yes, 2016, not that old but old enough to lose a century!  However, in my defence I have spent the majority of my life in the 20th Century rather than the 21st!

 

Mike

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