D Day Lanc's

Thanks chaps, answer much appreciated.

Lancs definitely were designed with glider towing in mind – I know they even had the place for a release handle in the cockpit.

I think they wouldn’t have been allowed to be used as tugs by Harris, though. The Lanc was far too efficient a bomber to let it go out and be used in a secondary role.

…and let’s be honest, a stripey Lanc would look pants! :p

Has anyone seen the film ‘The Longest Day’ recently.
I seem to remember that the special effects boys inadvertantly showed Lancasters towing the gliders, if so, were they shown as having invasion stripes, I can’t remember.
I went to see the premier of the film when I was a kid, some of the technical advice was dire, even to me aged 12 at the time, and the comments from my old man who was a real veteran of the event were hilarious. Skyraiders flying over the fleet and Me108’s strafing the beaches were just about acceptable, but Lancasters towing gliders, nooooo.
I presume they tried it at the time though, or were Lancs too precious to be considered.
Incidentally, were 4 engined bombers not given stripes as they would inevitably be back on duty over Germany as soon as possible.

SHAEF Oerational Memorandum No 23, Distinctive Marking Aircraft issued 18th April 1944 gave the instructions for markings which were to be applied to American and British aircraft to make them readily ientifiable to friendly grpund, sea and air forces. They were to apply to the following types of aircraft:

Fighters and Fighter Bombers.
Tactical and Photographic Reconnaissance aircraft.
Aircraft employed in spotting for Naval and Field Artillery.
Light Bombers.
Medium Bombers.
Troop carrier aircraft, including four engine types.
Glider tugs,including four engine types.
Liasion airctraft and Air Observation Platforms.
Coastal Command, Air Sea Rescue and disembarked Fleet Air Arm aircraft except for seaplanes and four engine aircraft which need not be marked.

The instructions would not apply to the following types:

Four engined bombers.
Air transports.
Gliders.
Night Fighters.
Seaplanes.

In May 1944 Gliders were moved to the list of aircraft to carry distinctive markings. On June 7th 1944 and order was issued that from 8th June Night Fighter and Intruder aircraft operating over shipping lanes or the assault area during daylight hours should carry distinctive markings.

As XM692 has suggested, it was only the glider-towing heavies that had D-Day stripes applied. Allied strategic bombers were exempt from being painted with the stripes, whether they were day or night bombers.

Perhaps it’s to do with medium/low level op’s (glider towing, SOE etc…) during daylight hours ?

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