Camouflage = & Markings ».2 British Aircraft in U.S.A.A.F. Service 1942-1945A Spitfire VB of 309th FS, 31 FG, with Us roundel and the fu flash have been painted out with Dark Green, (USAAF) BRITISH AIRCRAFT IN U.S.A.A.F. SERVICE THE United States of America was the main arsenal of the “Free World” during the Second World War and many thousands of aircraft were supplied to its ‘Allies. Great Britain took considerable numbers, both by outright purchase or on a lend-lease basis. Less well known is Britain’s supply of over 1000 aircraft and sliders for use by the USAAF, practically all in the European and Mediterranean Theatres of War (ETO and MTO), In the main, this involved three combat types and an assault glider which were employed in operations for which comparable US designs were not available. Spitfire XIs and Mosquito XVIs were used for fast high-altitude photographic work over Europe. Beaufighter VIs were used in the MTO for ht-fighting duties until replaced by P-61 Black Widows, and Spitfire V, VITI and IX models equipped carly fighter units and tactical reconnaissance units before Mustangs were received. The USAAF in the United Kingdom also received some two hundred training and communication aircraft from the RAF in the absence of American types—which did not arrive in ‘any numbers until the spring of 1944. A few communi- cation types were also acquired in the Middle East and Far East but on a very temporary basis. Other British designs, usually single examples, were acquired, 194 for test in the USA and technical evaluation. Generally, the original camouflage finish was retained by all these aircraft during their American service although there were many interesting variat Day Fighter Spitfires The first two USAAF fighter groups to arrive in the UK had been trained on P-39 Airacobras in the USA. As this type had a very inferior performance to German interceptors of that time—summer 1942— and P-39s were not immediately available in the UK, it was decided to equip these units, the 31st and S2nd Fighter Groups, with Spitfire Vs obtained from the British. These were predominantly Spitfire VB models drawn from storage at Maintenance Units. A few Spitfire I[As and VAs were used for training in the early stages. Standard British day-fighter camouflage of the period was retained and this consisted of upper surfaces with a shadow-shading pattern in Ocean Front Cover: Mosquito XVI, NS710, L, of 653rd BS, 25th BG, January 1945,Grey and Dark Green, while undersurfaces were in Medium Sea Grey. Dark Green corresponded to the official USAF shade Dark Olive Drab, in fact, on US built aircraft destined for the RAF, manufacturers applied Dark Olive Drab whenever British camoufiage requirements stipulated Dark Green, Ocean Grey had a blue-green hue and was a slightly lighter tone than USAAF Neutral Gray, while Medium Sea Grey had ANA 621, Dark Gull Gray, as the US equivalent, this being a much lighter shade than Neutral Gray. Special ‘friendly fighter type’ recognition markings were also maintained on these Spitfires: the 18 inch wide band round the rear fuselage and propeller spinner both painted in Sky, and the 4 inch wide yellow stripalong the outer portion of each wing leading edge. The Sky shade was commonly described as duck-eng blue. When received by the USAAF Fighter Groups, the Spitfires were usually still in British markings and one of the first duties of ground personnel was to replace the British roundel with the current US. national marking, the cocarde. This consisted of a five-pointed white star on a dark blue background, and US regulations required that the device should be displayed on both sides of the fuselage and above the left and below the right wing. On the Spitfire this was accomplished by painting out the upper right and lower left wing roundels with appropriate camouflage colours and superimposing the white star marking, over the remaining roundels. The standard size of fuselage roundels on Spitfires was 36 inches in diameter, those on the wings being $6 inches on upper surfaces and 32 inches on the lower, both centred 72 inches from the tips. On the fuselage, the ‘outer ring of the roundel was yellow, and on many US Spitfires of the 3ist and 52nd FGs this was painted out in camouflage colours and the diameter of the US cocarde applied was only 32 inches, corresponding with the outside diameter of the blue portion of the roundel. However, on some aircraft the yellow ring was not immediately painted out, although by early September 1942, most Spitfires of the two groups Mere to be seen without it, Later, on Ist October, USAAF units were advised by Eighth Air Force HQ toadda 2 inch concentric ring of Identification Yellow as an outline to the fuselage cocarde. To what extent this order was carried out is not known, because later The diameter of the US cocarde painted under the wing of a Spitfire was 32 inches, the same as the roundel it replaced. On this aircraft, however, a larger roundel was originally ‘applied, and thowsh painted out, its perimeter can still be discerned. (USAAF) The Sky code testers on early US Spitfires were generally 24 inches high and I6 inches wide. On aircraft of the 2nd FS, however, the ‘tail’ of the Q made the height of this letter 28 inches on all aircraft of the squadron, This photograph was raken in October 1942, (USAAF) in that month, both groups prepared to sail for Gibraltar where new Spitfires would be available for use in the November Allied invasion of North Africa. The British red, white and blue tail flash on 31st and S2nd FG Spitfires was painted out with camou- flage colours, and in the 31st FG it became the practice to paint the aircraft serial number near the top of the fin in approximately 4 inch high black characters. This was in keeping with USAAF regulations which called for the radio-call number (derived from the serial number) to be painted on the vertical tail. When this was done, the original serial, painted on the rear fuselage (in 8 inch high characters), was usually painted out. In any case, it was often partly obliterated by unit markings, Unlike the all-numeral serials, assigned to aircraft built for the USAAF, those of British military aircraft were prefaced by either one or two letters, the complete serial always having five characters. The majority of British combat aircraft used by USAAF units had serials composed of two prefix letters and three numerals These early American fighter units were initially under the operational control of RAF Fighter ‘Command while in the UK, and British operational Procedure was followed. The RAF system of unit and individual aircraft recognition markings was adopted and three-letter codes were displayed on the US Spitfires in the same fashion as on those operated by RAF units. A pair of letters on one side of the fuselage cocarde indentified the squadron and a single letter on the opposite side was the individual ‘plane- in-squadron letter. The letters were painted in Sky and were generally 24 inches high, the squadron combination being placed forward of the cocarde on the left side of the fuselage, and to the rear on the right side, The squadron codes allotted to the 31st FG (from Air Ministry sources) were HL, MX and WZ for the three squadrons of that group, and QP, WD and VF for those of the 52nd FG, Late in September 1942, the three RAF Eagle Squadrons, formed with American volunteers, were turned over to the US Eighth Air Force in the UK, 195Dominie 1, VIII ASC Beaufighter VI, 415 NFS Mike BaileySpitfire VB, EN918, of 335th al FS with freshly painted individual aircraft letter X contrasting with other Sky markings and the Aulled white star. Darker blue paint on the cocarde is where the centre of the roundel was painted out. (USAAF) together with their Spitfire Vs, to form the 4th Fighter Group. The aircraft of the new group retained the same squadron code letters as used in RAF service (even though the squadrons had been re-numbered) and the only change in markings was the substitution ofthe US cocarde for the British roundel. In practically all cases, the yellow fuselage ring was retained by 4th FG Spitlires which continued to operate from the UK until March 1943, Tactical Reconnaissance Spitfires Two other USAAF groups received Spitlire V day-fighters in late 1942 in lieu of suitable American types. The 350th FG was formed at Duxford, Cam- bridgeshire, in October and operated a mixed com- plement of Spitfires and Airacobras (P-39 and P-400s) in a tactical-fighter training role, Apart from the US national markings, Spitfires of the 350th FG were in Standard British camouflage and markings, Unit identification letters do not appear to have been carried by any of these aircraft during the short time the group spent in England, and its subsequent operations in North Africa were initially with the P-39 Airacobra The 67th Observation Group arrived at Membury, Wiltshire, in December 1942 and its four squadrons subsequently received a number of Spitfire Vs for use in training for low-level tactical reconnaissance operations. Many, if not all, of the aircraft initially igned were used by the 31st and 52nd FGs prior to their departure for Africa, and in some cases the unit markings had not been removed. Eventually, the A Spitfire VB of 334th FS with code letters 18 inches high and non-standard serial number (EN782), painted in smaller figures And further back than usual. (Aeroplane). 19712th, 107th and 109th Observation Squadrons of the 67th Observation Group were allotted codes and these were ZM, AX and VX respectively. Although the fourth squadron of the group, the 153rd, received some Spitfires, no code combination has been positively identified for this unit, and its redesignation as a Liaison Squadron in May 1943 indicates that its ‘employment of the Spitfire was brief. (AC this date the other squadrons and the group were redesignated from Observation to Reconnaissance.) A colourful touch was added to 67th RG (Reconnaissance Group) Spitfires in the spring of 1943 when some aircraft of the 12th RS (Reconnaissance Squadron) appeared with yellow-painted spinners, and those of the 107th RS with red. Whether this marking was a temporary tactical marking or an unofficial decoration is not known to the author, but it had apparently been abandoned by the autumn of that year. In. June 1943, a revised national marking was introduced which consisted of a white rectangle placed on either side of the existing cocarde and the whole bordered in red. Alterations effected on Spitfire fuselage national markings partly obscured the aircraft's identification letters. ‘The letters were repainted clear of the new markings but the squadron codes were now placed forward of the National Insignia on both sides of the fuselage while the individual aircraft letter could just be squeezed in between the Sky band and the new marking. For a reason unknown, the 109th RS usually painted out the Sky band on its Spitfires during the latter part of 1943, but the 12th and 107th squadrons did not follow this practice. In August 1943, the Insignia Red surround to the National Insignia was changed to Insignia Blue but Spitfires were still to be seen with both blue and red bordered ‘star and bar’ markings for several months afier that date. Some clipped-wing Spitfire Vs were operated by the 67th RG prior to conversion to P-S1 Mustangs late in 1943 and early 1944, and their markings and camouflage were similar to those of the group's other Spitfires. Mediterranean Spitfires When the 31stand 52nd FGsarrived in Gibraltar early in November 1942, they found tropicalised versions of the Spitfire V awaiting them. These aircraft were finished in a completely different colour camouflage to the Spitfires flown in the UK: a scheme designed for the arid areas from which the two groups would operate in North Africa. The shadow-shading pattern was in Dark Earth and Middle Stone, colours which can be loosely described as a medium shade of brown and a lighter shade with a distinct yellow hue. The undersides were painted in Azure Blue, a slightly pale sky blue, No Sky bands were applied to the rear fuselage and no yellow strip appeared on the leading edge of the wings. To these aircraft, the two groups applied their respective squadron code letters, similarly located to those on the Spitfires used in England. The colour of code letters was Sky or a light grey, but as the North African campaign progressed, ‘came to be used more and more for this purpose. Even with the introduction of the revised National Insignia in June 1943, the positioning of code letters on Spitfires of these two groups remained the same, i.e. squadron code forward of the national marking ‘on the left side of an aircraft and to the rear on the right side. The size of code letters did vary however, and on later Spitfires assigned to these units, they were only 18 inches in height, Where more than 26 aireraft were assigned to a squadron—and during the latter part of 1943 this was normallly the case—the additional machines were usually distinguished by double aircraft letters. For example, the 309th Fighter Squadron of the 31st FG at one time had Spitfire Vs lettered WZ:A and WZ:AA. The “plane-in-squadron letter or letters were often repeated under the nose of Spitfires in the 31st and 52nd FGs; the colour and size varied but most were in yellow or black and six to nine inches high, An additional national marking carried by several Spitfires at the time of the North African landings was a representation of ‘Old Glory’, the US flag. Painted in full colour on both sides of the fuselage forward of the USAAF. NATIONAL INSIGNIA DETAILS \ Tee 3 rye syee2 “xd P ey r SUE > oe ca SEE notes | xD See NOTES | be beotaas REAR EDGE OF Tare'd BLUE STRIPE DiviveD into 1B EQUAL SPACINGS, To] Lee wax. nupner With N. OTTAWAY 1971 198 “oxD FROM POINT OF STAR. ‘SURROUND Mex Wie. NOTES: DIAMETER SPECIFIED 20” MINIMUM INCREASING BY 5" STEPS. YELLOW SURROUND SPECIFIED 2” WIDE DIAM. OF BLUE DISC TAKEN AS BLUE EDGE ALIGNED WITH HORIZONTALcocarde, it measured about 30 by 12 inches. Allied planners believed the Algerian and Moroccan populace might not be familiar with the US star marking and the addition of the Stars and Stripes would, it was hoped, ensure recognition as a “friendly” type. In common with other Allied fighter types operating in the MTO, Spitfires of the 31st and 52nd FGs had their spinner painted Insignia Red late in 1943. At this time, more powerful Spitfire models, chiefly Mk IXs but at least seven Mk VIIIs, had replaced the Mk Vs, Most of the new aircraft were finished in the Middle East camouflage scheme of Dark Earth and Middle Stone, but: some of the Spitfire IXs had temperate schemes of Dark Green and Ocean Grey. Photographie Reconnaissance Spitfires The high-altitude strategic reconnaissance units of the US Eighth Air Force, based in the United Kingdom, Were at first equipped with stripped down versions of the Lockheed Lightning for photographic missions over Germany. These aircraft proved vulnerable to enemy interception, and in the autumn of 1943, the Eighth Air Force acquired several Spitfire XIs which were faster at high altitude and better suited to missions over heavily defended targets than the Lightnings. The Spitfire XIs were operated by the 14th PS (Photographic Squadron) and the complement varied from eight to sixteen aircraft. Standard RAF camou- flage finish was maintained, this consisting of an overall coat of PRU Blue, a cerulean blue with a slight green hue. The only exception was the spinner which was a very dark blue, in fact Roundel Blue. US National Insignia were superimposed on the roundels and the centre dise of this device was usually 32 inches in diameter. Serial numbers on Spitfire XIs were located on the rear fuselage, just forward of the tailplane, but in contrast to normal practice the height of the characters was only 4 inches and the colour Sky Grey. This shade was very pale, little more than ‘an off white, For betteridentification from the spring of 1944 14th PS Spitfires had the serial repeated on the vertical tail. The prefix letters were painted just above US Spitfire squadrons. foliowed the RAF practice of painting an additional individual aircraft letter on the under ‘side of the nose. The cofour was usually Sky. This aircraft is XR-Z of the 334th FS. USAAF) the top rudder hinge: one on the fin and one on the rudder, each about 6 inches high. The number part of the serial was painted below the letters in 12 inch high figures, usually with two digits on the fin and the other on the rudder. The colour of these markings was Identification Yellow. By carly 1943, the special high-altitude blue camouflage was being removed from many 14th PS Spitfire XIs as it was considered that the extra miles per hour obtained from a highly polished metal Spitfire V's of the 12th and 109th Reconnaissance Squadrons, photographed in the autumn of 1943 after the introduction of the revised National Insignia, Note that only aircraft of the 12th RS (coded ZM) carry the Sky fuselage band. (USAF) 199surface were of greater value. The fabric covered rudder either remained in the original PRU Blue or was painted Olive Drab and in some cases red; the latter is believed to be a unit decoration, introduced during the last days of hostilities. The spinner remained dark blue and an anti-glare strip of olive drab or PRU Blue extended from the windshield to the spinner. ‘At about this time, a group marking in the form of a 12 inch wide red stripe on the nose, below and running parallel to the exhaust manifold, was introduced. The serial number was painted on the tail only, that part (on polished metal being in black and that on the rudder in yellow. The 14th PS had on hand one or two Spitfire Vs for pilot familiarisation purposes and these were finished in standard temperate camouflage fighter schemes. The only additional markings were red spinners and approximately 9 inch high individual aireraft letters painted in white on tail fins. ‘After hostilities, from the second week in May 1945, code letters were painted in white on the underside of the right wing of 7th PG Spitfires. This was pres- cribed as an anti low-flying measure to which all 8th AF units were subject. The codes consisted of squadron letters plus the individual aircraft letter but the former have never positively been identified. The Spitfire [Xs were returned to the RAF during the period June-September 1945. ‘The Bristol Beaufighter In the spring of 1943, four independent night- fighter squadrons, the 414th, 415th, 416th and 417th, arrived in the United Kingdom from the USA to train with RAF units on Beaufighters. During flight training at British installations, the Beaufighters flown were assigned to RAF units and as far as can be determined, none of these aircraft were turned over for USAAF use in the UK. ‘On completion of training, each squadron was despatched to North Africa where they were equipped with Beaufighter Mk. IVFs. The aircraft were obtained from RAF Maintenance Units in the area and were in two camouflage schemes. Aircraft that had been in the MTO since early in 1943 were chiefly finished in a U.K. BASED A/e IN TEMPERATE LAND SCHEME CAMOUFLAGE: 56 "DIAM ROUNDEL. (ON EACH WING WAS PAINTED OUT WITH DARK GREEN. FOR TEMPERATE , MID STONE FOR TROPICAL SCHEME 32° COCARDE ON SAME CENTRE AS RAF. ROUNDEL WAS. ON UPPER PORT WING. COCARDE OF SIMILAR SIZE AND POSITION UNDER STARBOARD WING. 2 YELLOW QUTLINE TO UNDERSIDE COCARDE (ON SOME AIRCRAFT. N-0FTAWAN. AZURE “BLUE 200 1973 ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF PAINTING OUT STARBOARD SKY BAND AND SPINNER = U.K. DARK EARTH DARK GREEN OCEAN GREY. MEDIUM SEA GREY. SIE FIN FLASH. SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE MK. Vv. MODIFICATIONS To CAMOUFLAGE AND MARKINGS OF FIGHTER VERSIONS OF SPITFIRE IN U.S.A.A.F SERVICE 1942- 43. U.K AND MT, ROUNDEL ON FUSELAGE CONVERTED BY SUPERIMPOSING WHITE STAR AND FILLING IN BLUE DISC. YELLOW SURROUND USUALLY RETAINED, IF NOT, PAINTED QUT WiTH MATCHING CAMOUFLAGE COLOURS, 36" QUTSIDE DIAM. YELLOW. 30° 0. DIAM. BLUE. MID STONE RETAINED IN MT.0. (2 (Ee TROPICAL LAND SCHEME CAMOUFLAGE ~ M.7.0(wi disruptive pattern of Dark Earth and Middle Stone on upper surfaces while the lower parts of the aircraft were in Night (black). The varying pattern of this scheme on Beaufighters suggests it was applied by service units. On some machines, the black extended ‘well up the fuselage sides to a line above the wing root, While on others, only the bottom of the fuselage was $0 painted, ‘The second camouflage scheme was that introduced in November 1942 on Beaufighters in production, and consisted of an overall coat of Medium Sea Grey with a disruptive shadow-shading pattern of Dark Green for the top surfaces. The majority of these aircraft had one of two approved patterns but a few Beaufighters, resprayed ‘in-the-field’, had completely different designs. Moreover, the USAAF squadrons obliterated the British national markings with Dark Green, but in the case of the red, white and blue fin flash, the painting-out ran to giving most, if not all, of the fin and rudder a Medium Sea Grey finish, Dark Green or Dark Olive Drab was also the customary choice for touching up repaired areas. On receipt of a Beaufighter in USAAF squadrons, all roundels were painted out and the US ‘star and bar’ marking was applied in the appropriate positions, the insignia with red surrounds being used in the first instance, In general, the US ‘star and bar’ insignia on Beaufighter fuselages was positioned over the roundel and had 32 inch diameter central discs. Those on the ‘wing were of similar dimensions and centred between 90 and 108 inches from the tips, there being consider- able variation, Unit markings were rare on Beaufighters and the only squadron known to have adorned its aircraft with identification numbers was the 417th Night Fighter Squadron (NFS). During 1944, this squadron The personal Spitfire V, IK 226, of Lt. Col. R. A, Ames, 309th FS, here photographed over the Mediterranean in the spring of 1943. Camouflage ts Dark Earth and Middle Stone on the upper surfaces. ‘Double’ individual aircraft lerter AA is of interest. made a practice of painting the last two digits of the aireraft’s serial number in white near the top of the rudder. The size of these figures was approximately 8 inches high, The location of the full serial number on. a Beaufighter was on the rear fuselage beneath the horizontal tailplane and elevator root. The figures were 8 inches high and the colour black, officially termed “Night” on Air Ministry colour charts, The four US Beaufighter squadrons gave night defence for the 12th Air Force, first in North Africa, and then Sicily and Italy. Two operated from France later in the war. Conversion to P-61 Black Widows commenced towards the end of 1944, but Beaufighters ‘were still on hand by the end of hostilities in May 1945, Clipped-wing Spitfire VB of 109th Reconnaissance Squadron in an undignified pose, but showing the absence of Sky fuselage band and serial number. Many areas of the original camouflage have been overspraved with Dark Green or Dark Olive Drab. (Via K. Rust) 201The complement of a USAAF Beaufighter squadron was normally 12 aireraft De Havilland Mosquito ‘The photographic reconnaissance version of the Mosquito had a very high performance and this and other factors made it a desirable aircraft for specialized operations the USAAF was conducting from the UK. Between February 1944 and May 1945, the Eighth Air Force acquired over 70 Mosquito XVIs for use in long-range high-altitude photographic reconnaissance, night photographic reconnaissance, weather scouting, radio counter measures and monitoring activities. The first examples were received in February 1944, and by April, a provisional reconnaissance group, the 802nd, had been established at Watton, in Norfolk, The Mosquito XVIs were finished in PRU Blue overall with Roundel Blue spinners and Night serial numbers 8 inches in height and located just forward of the tailplane on both sides of the fuselage. At Watton, the British national markings were painted out with PRU Blue and the ‘star and bar’ applied to the fuselage and wings as required by USAAF regulations. a a rs ove) Spivire XT of 14 Unlike most other British types entering USAAF service, the location of the National Insignia bore no relation to that of the original British roundels, On the wings, the US marking was placed near the tip, the centre being approximately 72 inches from that point, The diameter of the circular part of the marking, was aiso considerably less than the roundel: 40 inches compared with $4. National Insignia of the same dimensions were used for the fusclage and were consequently larger than the 36 inch diameter roundels they replaced. Placement of the National Insignia was 96 inches from the centre to the wing root. By June 1944, the Mosquitoes at Watton had been organised into. two provisional squadrons named the 8th Reconnaissance Squadron, Special, and the 8th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, Light. At this time, an individual aireraft letter was assigned to each aircraft for radio-call purposes and this was painted ‘on both sides of the fin, The letter was 18 inches high and the colour white. To distinguish between aircraft of the two squadrons, the letters on Mosquitoes of the Weather Squadron were framed in a white circle. This was 30 inches in diameter and approximately =) a ¢ mt PS in overall PRU Blue finish, Serial MB93O ts in Sky Grey on the rear fuselage (USAAF). (Below) MB9SO photographed at a later date afier the serial number had been repeated on the fin and rudder in yellow. (USAAF)SPITFIRE L.F. VB. 67 TH. RECON. GRP. U.K. AUGUST 1943. TEMPERATE LAND SCHEME. SKY CODES SPITFIRE F. VB. 31ST. FTR. GRP, UK. SEPT. 1942. TEMPERATE LAND SCHEME, SkY CODES SPITFIRE F. VB Trop. 31ST. FTR. GRP, M.T.0. APRIL 1943 TROPICAL LAND SCHEME, SPITFIRE F. VB Trop. 52. ND. FTR. GRP. M.T.0. APRIL 1943. TROPICAL LAND SCHEME. RAF ROUNDELS ON UPPER WINGS, NO COCARDES. OLIVE DRAB SPITFIRE F.IXE USED BY Col. E.P, ALLEN U.S. 9TH TAC. NATURAL METAL FINISH. RUDDER RETAINS ORIGINAL CAMOUFLAGE ROUNDEL RED OLIVE DRAB — SPITFIRE P.R.xi BLUE ea 7TH PHOTO. GRP. Je UK. iH NATURAL METAL FINISH. ets N-OTTAWAY 1975. 203MBOSS, another Spitfire XI of 14th PS with the serial repeat (R. Besecker) 3 inches ‘thick’. In August 1944, the organisations at Watton were regularised; the group becoming the 25th Bombardment Group (Reconnaissance); the 8th Reconnaissance Squadron, Special, becoming the 654th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy, Special); and the 8th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, Light, becoming the 653rd Bombardment Squadron (Light, Weather Reconnaissance). Aircraft markings remained unchanged. On two or three occasions during July and early August, Mosquitoes of the USAAF on long-range reconnaissance over Germany had been attacked by Mustangs. To avoid these unfortunate incidents and clearly mark the Mosquitoes as friends, the vertical tails of those at Watton were painted red. The aircraft letters were not obscured and continued to be painted in white, but in the case of the 653rd BS, the vhite circle was painted out by the red, leaving the aircraft letter on a circular backgournd of PRU Blue. ‘The red used was RAF Roundel Red or the equivalent US shade, Dull Red (ANA 818). This was only an interim scheme, for a month later, an order was issued to the effect that the red area should extend to the whole tail nit, and in practice, this also included the extremity of the fuselage forward to a point about 3 or 4 inches from the initial letter of the serial number. (On aircraft received by the 653rd after the introduc~ tion of these red markings, it was usual for the aireraft letter to continue to be placed on a circular background of PRU Blue. Occasionally, the letter on 654th aircraft was on a rectangular background of PRU Blue, but normally the letter was painted in white directly onto the red fin. "Those Mosquitos in service at Watton in June 1944 received the familiar black and white stripes that were applied as a ‘friendly" recognition aid for the cross- channel invasion of June 6th 1944. As specified, each stripe was to be 24 inches wide, commencing outboard of the engine nacelles on the wings and 18 inches forward of the tailplane on the fuselage. Neither the serial numbers nor the US National Insignia were ‘obscured by these markings. 204 wed on the vertical tail for easier identification of the aircraft. Combat missions, completed by 25th BG Mosqui- toes, were signified by special symbols painted on the noses of the aircraft. The symbol used by the 653rd BS was a modified representation of the official squadron badge: a mosquito with telescope, perched on a cloud. Simpler forms, used on some aircraft of the squadron, had just the cloud with a red lightning flash. The 654th BS made use of a camera and flare bomb symbol for mission symbols on its Mosquitoes. The 654th BS was engaged in special night recon- nnaissance missions during the winter of 1944-1945 and aircraft used for this purpose had their undersides painted black. This had a gloss reflective finish and was ANA 622, the US shade known as “Jet” that was developed for the P-61 night-fighter. At least two of these Mosquitoes were transferred to the 492nd BG early in 1945 and were used on operations to pick up radio messages from Allied agents in enemy territory. Three Mosquito HII dual-control trainers were on hand at Watton, but as far as can be ascertained, these aircraft always retained their RAF markings. ‘The National Insignia as applied on the left wing of a USAAF Beaufighter VI, This aircraft was an early arrival in North “Africa and has black undersurfaces. (RCAF)36" DIAM, ROUNDEL OVERPAINTED WITH 32"NOMINAL DIAM. COCARDE. BRISTOL BEAUFIGHTER N.F 6 § 10. USED BY 414-417 TH, NIGHT FTR. SQUADRONS ULS.A.A.F, 1943-5. FINISH: STANDARD R.A-F, NIGHT FIGHTER CAMOUFLAGE - MEDIUM SEA GREY OVERALL WITH UPPER SURFACE SHADOW- SHADING OF DARK GREEN. WING ROUNDELS WERE ON UPPER SURFACE ONLY. THESE PAINTED OUT WITH DARK GREEN AND U.S. COCARDES APPLIED AS SHOWN. FUSELAGE ROUNDELS WERE OVER- PAINTED WITH COCARDES. FIN FLASHES PAINTED OUT WITH MED- IUM. SEA GREY. SERIAL NUMBERS USUALLY RETAINED. DARK GREEN FIN FLASH was 27” HIGH x 24" WIDE. VARIABLE — 7/6" AND }2"NOMINAL DIAM. COCARDE ON 3/0" NOTED, PORT UPPER, STARBOARD LOWER WING. ss SOME A/C HAD COCARDE ON EACH WING. BEAUFIGHTER N.F. GF. GERBINI, SEPT. 1943, , a OLIVE DRAB. NOTE MANUFACTURER'S VARIATION OF CAMOUFLAGE ON FUSELAGE OF THESE A/c. BEAUFIGHTER N.F. GF. 415 TH NF. SQDN. DIJON , SEPT. 1944. NOTTAWAY 1973. 205MOSQUITO P.R. MK XVI THE BO2.NO. RECON. GROUP (PROVISIONAL) OF THE U.S, StH. AA.F, (LATER RE~ 109" DESIGNATED 25m. BOMB. GROUP) WAS EQUIPPED WITH THIS TYPE APRIL 1944 — F-8 AIRCRAFT WERE P.R.U. BLUE OVERALL. RAF MARKINGS WERE PAINTED OUT WITH THE SAME COLOUR AND U.S. COCARDES SUBSTITUTED AS SHOWN. AiR MINISTRY SERIAL NUMBERS WERE RETAINED. RAF ROUNDEL WAS 54" DIAMETER. U.S. COCARDE 40" NOMINAL DIAMETER TYPE 4. ON PORT UPPER ; STARBOARD UNDERSIDE. PoRT TOP VIEW FIN FLASH | Ni T T/e. was 24" fe é : AFT OF WING ROOT T/E fA o 54'| | SQUARE R.A.F, ROUNDEL WAS 36 "DIAMETER. U.S. COCARDE 40" NOMINAL DIA. TYPE 4. INVASION STRIPES APPLIED JUNE STH/6TH 1944. 5. AT FIRST ON BOTH UPPER AND | LOWER WING SURFACES AND COMPLETELY AROUND FUSELAGE FROM SEPT. [944 CONFINED TO UNDERSIDES ONLY AS SHOWN. WING TANKS OFTEN PAINTED BLACK ON AIRCRAFT WITH INVASION STRIPES. PORT UNDERSIDE VIEW. NeOTTAWAY. 1973. 206The standard camouflage scheme for Beaufighter night fighters during the last two years of the war is sported here by V8839 ofthe 15th NES, photographed in September 1944: overall Medium Sea Grey with disruptive pattern of Dark Green. (J. Mutin via S. Blandin) Mosquito Night Fighters While USAAF interest in the Mosquito was chiefly confined to reconnaissance models, a few night- fighter versions were borrowed from the RAF during the winter of 1944-1945. Shortage of P-61 Black Widows led to seven Mosquito XIIIs being assigned to the 425th Night Fighter Squadron (NFS) at Etain, France, and these aircraft were eventually transferred to the 416th NFS. which was operating temporarily from the same base. The 416th NFS converted from Beaufighters to Mosquitoes in the absence of P-61s and had about a dozen on strength at Pisa, Italy, during February and March 1945, Little information is available on the markings of these US-operated night-fighters, and while one or two did carry the National Insignia on the fuselage, it seems likely that others were operated with their normal British markings. Camouflage schemes were similar to the Beaufighters: overall Medium Sea Grey with disruptive pattern of Dark Green on the upper surfaces. At least one Mosquito and possibly others, operated by the 416th NFS, had the undersurfaces repainted in Smooth Night, the gloss black finish recommended for intruder sorties. Communication, Target-towing and Training Aircraft When the USAAF first moved into the UK in 1942, it brought only combat aircraft, and its requirements for support aircraft were largely met from British sources. Large numbers of US-built types did not begin to arrive until 1944 and thereafter the British aircraft were gradually returned, although a few were retained until the very end of the war. It should be pointed out that many of the support aircraft obtained from the RAF were not of British manufacture and design, but US machines, obtained early in the war Red, white and blue trim tab graces Beaufighter KW147 of the 415th NFS. Personal markings were the exception on USAAF Beaufighters. (USAF)MISSION-COMPLETED SYMBOLS The common form, used on weather reconnaissance Mosquitoes of the OS3rd BS. is on the left and was dorher! from the se dPon’scriblem, shown simplified on the righ, which in this form was also used as a imission-completed symbol. ‘and subsequently rated obsolete and assigned to target-towing and training duties. ‘As major repair and maintenance was normally undertaken by RAF units, many of these aircraft retained their British markings throughout their Service with the USAAF, thus avoiding the time- ‘consuming business of painting out and painting on different national markings. However, there appears to have been no hard and fast rule, and while some of the training and target-towing units always operated. their British types without changing the national markings, there were other units that went so far as to give the aircraft USAAF style camouflage of Dark Olive Drab and Neutral Gray with the serial number repainted on the vertical tail ‘Aircraft suitable for towing gunnery target drogues were an early requirement, and-in addition to obsolete Havocs, Bostons and Vengeances, adapted for this role, the RAF also supplied several Lysanders and two Defiants, ‘Westland Lysander The Lysander became the RAF’s primary target towing aircraft after the type was retired from ‘Army-Co-operation Squadrons. It retained the Dark Farth and Dark Green shadow-shading pattern on its upper surfaces while the lower surfaces received the standard target-towing colours of Trainer Yellow with black stripes. The black stripes were 36 inches wide and 72 inches apart and were diagonally inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the aircraft. The majority of the Lysanders used by the USAAF retained British roundels, and the few aircraft that did receive the US cocarde had this applied to the fuselage only. Boulton Paul Defiant ‘Only two Defiant III target-tugs are known to have ‘been loaned to the 8th AF and these were operated by the Combat Crew Replacement Centre (CCRC) at Bovingdon during 1943. Standard British camou- flage for this type consisted of Dark Earth and Dark Green shadow-shading on the upper surfaces, and yellow undersurfaces with the black diagonal bands. Serial numbers of these Defiants were DR944 and DRO945, painted on the fuselage just forward of the tailplane in black 8 inch high characters. DR945 carried the code letters JW forward of the US National Insignia on the fuselage, and the individual aircraft Ietter U aft of these markings. Interestingly, this aircraft carried both British and US markings; the wing roundels and red, white and blue flash being retained. The code JW was that of the 326th Bombardment Squadron which was the embryo unit of the Bovingdon CCRC. This marking was kept ‘on DR94S when it was transferred to the 94th BG in 1944, Airspeed Oxford ‘Over 200 aircraft of British origin were loaned to the USAAF in the UK for communication and light transport flights between airfields. Additionally, many US manufactured types, operated by the RAF, were also turned over for use by the American forces for such duties. These included the Harvard, Bermuda, Boston, Hudson, Reliant, Argus, Vigilant and Traveller. ‘The principal British type, assigned to combat and service units as a base communications aircraft, was the Airspeed Oxford. Over 120 are known to have worn US national markings during the period August 1942 to May 1945, and there were several others that were operated in British markings by US crews. As would be expected with a non-combat type, those marked with the National Insignia remained in the original paint scheme of Dark Earth and Dark Green upper surfaces and Trainer Yellow undersurfaces. 208MOSQUITO PR.16's— 2511 BOMB. GROUP NSSIO OF 653 RD BOMB. SQDN (L) JUNE 1944, _| PRU BLUE nounnet auc J marr siack NS S68 OF 654 TH, BOMB. SQDN. (SP) JULY 1944 NS5I5 OF 654 TH BOMB. sqoN. (sP) AUGUST 1944 . NSSI9 OF 653 RD. BOMB. SQDN. (L) OCTOBER , 1944. MM 389 OF 654 TH. BOMB. SQDN. (SP) JANUARY 1945 OTTAWAY 1973 209NS519, photographed in September 1944 shortly after the introduction of the red tail markings. A circular backing of PRU Blue was left for the aircraft letter as a 653rd BS identification marking. (T. Piedimonte) Nevertheless, some USAAF stations preferred to see the Oxford in a dress more in keeping with the standard uniform of aircraft of their service, and during 1943, a number of Oxfords appeared resplen- dent in Dark Olive Drab and Neutral Gray. VII Air Service Command carried out several such paint jobs, as did some of the heavy bomber stations in eastern England, Oxford Il, DFS07, received by the 388th BG at Knettishall in the summer of 1943, was repainted in this fashion with the additional embellish- ments of white engine cowl rings and a yellow radio- call letter C on its fin. The 388th BG even devised a special USAAF-type serial number for this aircraft: 43-6507! Another olive drab and grey convert was 73559, lettered M in yellow on its fin, one of a number of Oxfords operated by the 2nd Strategic Air Depot from Alconbury. ‘The serial number on the Oxford was, as with most British aircraft, located on the rear fuselage in black (MAP shade Night) 8 inch high characters. In US service, the three or four numerals in the serial were sometimes also painted across the fin and rudder, the colour being yellow, T1076 was an example where the number part had been applied to the tail, 1076 being used as a radio-call. Oxford AB717, serving with the 387th BG, however, had both prefix letters and number painted on its vertical tail. White circle around the individual aircraft letter on this Mosquito XVI was the identification marking used by the Sth RS (P) (L)—later 65ird BS—from June to mid August 1944, (M. Havelaar) ‘A few combat groups adorned their Oxfords with unit identification markings, particularly after the early spring of 1944, when bright colours came into use. For the most part, unit markings were the exception rather than the rule, and this applied to most types taken over from the RAF. A yellow triangle, sported by a few USAAF Oxfords on their fuselages just forward of the National Insignia, was a marking inherited from previous RAF users: the Blind Approach Training Unit. 654th BS Mosquito XVI with red rail surfaces and letter F left on a rectangular PRU Blue patch. (T. Piedimonte)DARK GREEN DaRK EARTH ‘D.H. TIGER MOTH 353RD. FTR. GRP, 1943 | YELLow uber 9 MILES MASTER I 496 FTR. TRC. GRP. JULY 1944, —_ PERCIVAL PROCTOR IT. 365TH. FTR. GRP. MARCH 1944. SKY CODES 8-P. DEFIANT 7.7. HW C.C.R.c. May 19.43 U.S. COCARDES ON FUSELAGE Onty, AIRSPEED OXFORD 389TH BOMB. GRP. JUNE 1944, N.OTTAWAY 1978, 2uIn this photograph the red tail surfaces show up a lighter shade than the PRU Blue finish. Spinners are painted with RAF Roundel Blue, standard colour on all PR Mosquitoes. (via R. Hill) Avro Anson Only 9 Ansons are known to have been used by the USAAF in the UK, and only one of these is reported ‘as having US national markings. This aireraft, AX62: was in silver finish and had presumably been given & face-lift by its US operators. D.H. Tiger Moth “The Tiger Moth light biplane was issued primarily to fighter groups of the 8th AF where it was popular as a station ‘hack’, As far as is known, all examples kept their Dark Earth and Dark Green camouflaged top sides and yellow undersides while in US service, Black undersides distinguish ths 654th BS machine. Mission- completed symbol used on aircraft of this squadron was a Camera shape above a flash’ bomb. (I. Piedimonte) (Flight) 6 ee Se nd US national markings were applied, and in some cases the aircraft were decorated with personal insignia, DE74S, assigned to the 353rd FG from August 1943 to January 1944, had a grotesque face painted on the front of the nose during the final weeks of its use by this group. Miles Master TT & 11 ‘About 30 Masters were used by 8th and 9th AF units, chiefly for fighter training but also as commu- nications aireraft, The fighter training establishments at Atcham and Goxhill had a number of Masters during 1943, and some were marked with US insignia ‘The majority retained British national markings and, occasionally, RAF unit identification numbers. Finish was similar to the other training types with Dark Earth and Dark Green upper surfaces and yellow undersides. D.HL. Dominie Usually known as the DH 89 in US service, at least five of these light transports were operated by VIII Air Service Command installations from late 1942 to the summer of 1944 While two retained the Dark Earth, Dark Green and Trainer Yellow paintwork, three were repainted with Dark Olive Drab top sides and Neutral Gray undersides. On one of these, X7522, the number part of the serial was also painted in’ approximately 8 inch high yellow figures across the vertical tal. The national marking on NS569, N, of 564th BS is interesting in that stencil lines on the star have not been painted over.Horsa I, 9 TCC Mosquito XVI, 653 BS, 25 BG Mike BaileyA red lightning flash through a white cloud was the mission completed symbol used by most aircraft in the 65ird BS (see drawing on page 208), This Mosquito XVI carries fifty such markings. (USAF) Percival Proctor Approximately 30 Proctors were obtained for use as light comminications aircraft, the majority being employed by VIII and IX Air Service Command installations. In many cases, these aircraft were operated without any change in their British markings, while others were to be seen with the US National Insignia on the fuselage and British roundels on the wings. Camouflage was Dark Earth and Dark Green, and the undersides were finished in Trainer Yellow. ‘This colour was the equivalent of the U.S. Identifica- tion Yellow, a deep shade tending towards orange. Flurricane I~ Only three examples of this fighter type are known to have been operated by the USAAF in the UK. ‘They were used for fast communications by the Eighth Air Force, one of them being on the strength of 8th AF HQ for some months. These Hurricanes did not receive US insignia. A few Hurricanes were obtained by USAAF units in the MTO for similar purposes during 1943-1946. Oxford, T1263, did not suffer irreparable damage fiom a wheels-up landing in an English corn field, The aircraft has normal British camouflage for the type, plus the blue bordered ‘star and bar” markings positioned over the roundels, As this insignia partly covered the serial numbers ‘on the fuselage, the latter were repainted in yellow, further back. (Jim Cope) 214 Oxford, AS728, of the 4th FG, finished in Dark Olive Drab with Neutral Gray undersides, The serial number was painted ‘on the fin in Black, (K. Braybrooke) Two airmen of 353rd FG pose with DET4S, the much loved Tiger Moth. This example retained its ‘original trainer finish of Dark Earth and Dark Green upper surfaces and Trainer Yellow lower surfaces. The US cocarde ix positioned ‘over the British roundel. The name “Dorothy,” in red with white edging, is painted on the fuselage between the two cockpits, (USAAF via Rust)Other British ‘Types in US Markings Airspeed Horsa gliders were supplied to US units in both the ETO and MTO during 1943 and 1944, and were used in substantial numbers during airborne operations, particularly those of 6th June 1944 and 24th March 1945, The US-operated Horsas had the star and bar insignia superimposed on the British roundels, but otherwise retained normal British mouflage and markings, Dark Earth and Dark Green were the colours of the disruptive pattern for top surfaces, while the undersides were finished in smooth Night. This black shade was brought well up the sides of the fuselage. Marshalling numbers were often roughly painted on the fuselage, but more usually theve were chalked on. During the Second World War, there were a number ‘of exchanges of aircraft types between Britain and America for evaluation by their respec- tive test centres. Those from Britain were marked with the US National Insignia upon their arrival in the USA, and in most eases this was superimposed on the British markings. Aircraft sent included D.H.82A Queen Bee, V4760; Hotspur II, BT769 and BT770; Defiant 1, T4106; Spittire VA, R7347 and W3119: Spitfire VII, EN474; Spitfire VC, AA963; Hur MA, 22974; Typhoon, MN235: Meteor, EE2I and 24 Horsa gliders, Photographs exist which show Albacores, Seatires and Sea Hurricanes with US National Insignia. However, these aircraft were not operated by US forces but were Fleet Air Arm aircraft taking part in the North African landing of November 1942. The use of one national marking by all Allied air forces, involved in the initial sorties, was thought to be less confusing for the French who, it was hoped, would give a friendly reception, © Roger A. Freeman. Acknowledgements Robert C. Jones, Norman Ottaway, and the Imperial War Museum, Bibliography Aircraft Markings of the World by Bruce Robertson. Camouflage & Markings, (RAF Fighter Command) by Robert C. Jones and James Goulding. BRITISH COMMUNICATIONS, TARGET-TOWING & TRAINING TYPES OPERATED BY THE USAAF Representative Ale Unit Relinquished Westland Lysander Serial T1552 496 FTG 29, 2.44 TIST4 359 FG 21. 8.44 v9356 4.GTT Fit, 15. 7.44 vo778. Bovingdon Hq. 2. 2.44 9867 LccGs 1 7.44 Boulton Paul Defiant Serial DR944 1. CCRC 3.7.44 DR945 94 BG 17. 8.44 Airspeed Oxford Serial R6093, 445 BG 14.10.44 Wool! 362 FG 29. 3.44 Vv4126 7PG 13. 9.44 ABT52 356 FG 24, 8.44 EDIS2 492 BG 5.9.44 HNI22 483 ASS 10. 9.44 Avro Anson Serial AW9I1 1CCRC 3. 5.44 Dsss7 3SAD 17, 5.44 D.H. Tiger Moth Serial DE262 356 FG 11.12.44 DE429 3 TAD 19.10.44 Miles Master Serial W8836 496 FTG 29. 1.44 AZ694 1ccGs 31. 5.44 AZTI6 302 TW 21. 7.44 DL830 3 GTT Fit, 9.12.44 D.H. Dominie Serial X7403, 302 TW 28, 4.44 X7523 2SAD I. 8.44. Percival Proctor Serial P6227 317 ASG 30.11.44 Z7216 353 FG I. 7.44 HM288 363 FG 31. 3.44 HM350 STAD 31. 7.44 Hawker Hurricane Serial P3757 8 AF HQ 20.12.44 VoRa4 8 AF HQ 24. 1.44 Q8G— Ait Service Group; ASS—Air Service Squadron; CCGS—Combat Crew Gunnery School; CCRC Combat Crew Replacement Centre; FTG—Fighter Train SAD—Strategic Air Depot; TAD— Tactical Air Depot; T ETO AND MTO 1g Group; GTT Flt.—Gunnery & Tow Target Flight; 'W—Transport Wing. SPITFIRE UNIT CODES ay 335FS 4 FG Mx 307FS 31 FG DP) 4FS 52 FG AX 107RS 67 RG ap 2FS 52FG WZ 309FS 31 FG HL 308FS 31 FG VF SFS 52FG XR 334FS 4 FG MD -336FS) 4 FG vx 109RS 67 RG ZM 12RS 67RG 215 stthis Spitfire VB has the serial number (BM635) on the Sky band cover most of the original serial on the rear juselage VL. (T. Piedimonte) Copyright Ducimus Books Limited, London, England. Printed in England,