Markings

[Reynolds]

Okay, could someone please show me the difference in tail, wing, and side markings between RAF and RCAF planes? Thank you in advance!

[VooWho]

Should also post this in the Skins forums, for the guys in their know alot about this stuff.

[Guppy35]

Originally posted by Reynolds
Okay, could someone please show me the difference in tail, wing, and side markings between RAF and RCAF planes? Thank you in advance!

You specific to WW2?

Then there isn't any difference beyond squadron codes.

[MiloMorai]

The RCAF squadrons, 400 to 445, used the same national marking as the RAF. Some squadrons (ie fighter) had a small white circle with a red maple leaf in the circle on the fuselage under the cockpit. This is simular to other nationalities under RAF command who also had a national symbol on the fuselage. Poles usually put their read and white square symbol on the engine cowl.

After WW2 the red RAF centre was replaced by a red maple leaf.

[MiloMorai]

Dan, if you do not have them already,

RAF SQUADRON CRESTS, RAF STATION CRESTS, RAF UNIT CRESTS AND BADGES http://www.rafmarham.co.uk/gallery/crests-index.htm

[Reynolds]

Specific to fighters, specific to WWII. When going through my photos, I noticed some had tail markings that looked like this: ######

And some look like this:

#####

The difference between the two being the size of the white stripe. One, on clearly RAF planes such as early RAF Spitfires, is twice as wide as on RCAF planes such as Mosquitos clearly marked as RCAF. Also, the RAF appears to have a tiny red dot on the side versus the RCAF's large one, and so on. Here are some pictures:

well, it turns out my hosting site has something about bandiwth...

Anyway, so its just me? There is no difference in thinkness of the circles and stripes?

[Guppy35]

Originally posted by Reynolds
Specific to fighters, specific to WWII. When going through my photos, I noticed some had tail markings that looked like this: ######

And some look like this:

#####

The difference between the two being the size of the white stripe. One, on clearly RAF planes such as early RAF Spitfires, is twice as wide as on RCAF planes such as Mosquitos clearly marked as RCAF. Also, the RAF appears to have a tiny red dot on the side versus the RCAF's large one, and so on. Here are some pictures:

well, it turns out my hosting site has something about bandiwth...

Anyway, so its just me? There is no difference in thinkness of the circles and stripes?

What you are seeing is the change in RAF markings that took place in 1942.  Any photos of planes prior to this would have the equal red white blue bands and the smaller red dot in the fuselage roundel.

1942 Spitfire Va with the early roundels


1945 Spitfire XVI with the late roundels

[Reynolds]

Ah, thank you! So, there is really no difference in basic markings between RAF and RCAF? (Also, what does RHAF and SAAF stand for?)

[Guppy35]

Royal Hellenic Air Force  (Greece)
South African Air Force (SAAF)

If you look at the Spit skins, you'll see one by Kev of a SAAF marked Spit.  They used orange instead of red in the markings.  Otherwise the same.  Kev did a Greek Spit V as well.

We have a 403 Squadron Spitfire XVI which is Canadian.  Same markings as an RAF bird.

[Reynolds]

Yeah it was Kevs skin that made me wonder what SAAF was.

So, if there was no marking difference, the RCAF squads were Canadian pilots, but RAF planes? Or how was it organized? (Particularly with Mosquitoes)

[Guppy35]

Originally posted by Reynolds
Yeah it was Kevs skin that made me wonder what SAAF was.

So, if there was no marking difference, the RCAF squads were Canadian pilots, but RAF planes? Or how was it organized? (Particularly with Mosquitoes)

They were operating as part of the RAF during WW2.  As Milo mentioned, they were numbered differently depending on what country.  The RCAF squadrons were in the 400s

Poles in the 300s along with the Czechs, Norwegians, Belgians etc.

RCAF Squadrons were made up of only Canadians.  That does not mean that Canadians didn't serve in RAF squadrons.


As an example.  41 Squadron, which is one of my 2 favorites cause they flew the Spit XII.  They had in that RAF squadron during the XII time, 2 Americans serving in the RAF.  South Africans, Rhodesians, Poles, Belgians, Canadians, a white Russian, Frenchman to go along with the English pilots.

The general consensus was that 'mixed' squadrons actually operated better then those of one country origin.

That being said, RCAF 400 numbered squadrons were made up of Canadiens.

An interesting tidbit, I can find no explaination for, is that the RCAF Typhoon squadrons operating in Normandy did not use Rockets, only bombs, while the RAF Tiffie squadrons use the rockets.  No clue why.

If memory serves, 418 was the best known of the RCAF Mossie squadrons.

[Scherf]

418 was an intruder squadron, so a little bit different from the classic nightfighter work undertaken by 406, 409 and 410 Squadrons.

That said, 418 was far from all-Canadian. Its most successful pilot was an Australian named Scherf.

[MiloMorai]

Reynolds,

you need to get some of the Osprey 'Aces' series books. (~$15-20 US)

Though the profiles are not always the best, they represent the a/c that are being profiled.

In 1945, the RAF changed there upper wing roundels to include the middle white circle. Seems there was an ID problem with some of the Allies (American??).

[Reynolds]

Id LOVE to get them. Problem is, im out of money. Even after christmas that just covered my debts

[Guppy35]

Originally posted by Reynolds
Id LOVE to get them. Problem is, im out of money. Even after christmas that just covered my debts

Bought a book a paycheck from the time I was 16 Reynolds.  They add up after a while and next thing ya know 30 years later you have more books then you know what to do with

"Terror in the Starboard Seat"  Dave Macintosh, is the 418 Squadron Mossie book to read.  Great fun