Dambuster Lancaster roundels

Thank you antoni, PM sent.

At the beginning of the war RAF aircraft were camouflaged and marked in accordance with AMO A.154/39 which was titled Identification Markings on Aircraft of Operational Units and Marking of Unit Equipment 27th April 1939.

At this time it was expected that most bomber operations would be carried out during the daytime. Whitleys did not carry roundels under the wings but other types of bombers did and this lasted for about a year, until September 1940.

Visit of Czechoslovak president Dr E Benes to 311 Squadron 6th August 1940.

An Air Ministry conference was held on the 23rd July 1940 to consider aircraft colourings and markings. A Bomber Command’s representative explained that Whitleys, which had the lowest casualty rate of all bombers which were employed on the same duties, were finished in matt black without roundels. He asked that the removal of roundels from the under surfaces of all other aircraft might be considered. After discussion, it was agreed that roundels would not be carried on the under surfaces of aircraft with a matt black finish except where the aircraft were non-operational and tasked with Searchlight Co-operation duties.

The findings and recommendations of this conference were accepted by the Air Ministry and were incorporated into camouflage and markings policy. The new policy was circulated to all interested parties by a letter dated 11th August accompanied by an appendix which was ultimately issued as DTD Technical Circular N0.83 on 23 August 1940.

If your son would like to read an article on the evolution of bomber camouflage and markings in the first half of the war, send me an email via the forum and I will send you a pdf scan.

Thank you jeepman, antoni and Edgar for your replies, I can now give my son the answer. Brilliant.

Roundels were never contemplated on night bomber undersides, due to the white reflecting searchlight glare; the same was discovered on the fuselage roundels, which is why they went over to the narrow white and yellow circles, and the white stripe in the fin flashes went the same way. During early tests observers said the white rings glared back like a second searchlight, so something had to be done.

DTD Technical Circular N0.83 on 23 August 1940 specified no underwing roundels.

I’m sure Edgar will be along and quote chapter and verse but I’m pretty sure underwing roundels for ALL night bombers were ditched pretty early in the war. The roundels would have compromised the camouflage offered by the black undersurfaces