32 Squadron RAF Between the wars

Hmm, must be a difficult one to answer. Here is a picture of my Snipe so far. I am trying out real aluminium panels here for the first time. Fit is not perfect at the moment but I am still working on that. The questions I had regarding the markings are still unanswered. Why did these Snipes have the B-Type roundels on the fuselage? Is the answer that 32 Squadron was a nightfighter unit in 1923/24? Did they have B-Type roundels on the wing panels as well (the upper wing panels would have been difficult to reach)? On the photograph it looks as if the metal panels were painted silver. I’Ve nearly made up my mind that I’m doing my Snipe this way as well, although I must admit that shiny metal panels would look great. I’m hoping that a few people here can help finding the answers to these questions.

Pretty as they might be but I doubt that the Snipes did carry the wing bar. They were with the Sqn a very short time. April 23 to Dec 24 with the third flight only being formed in June 24. As to the Blue, again I think it’s roundel Blue and not a lighter shade. The RAF has always used available stores reference stuff, Red, White, Blue, Black and Grey, paint that was in general use on Sqns. Green and Yellow, possibly by local purchase order or in use as Flt colours. Remember that this was settling into peacetime when the military adhere to routine, bull…., and toeing the line, with no room for individuality. Unless one had the rank to carry it off and then it’s called Esprit de Corps. I think those roundels were “toned down” with a distemper wash.

John

Thanks for the thread bump Bro’ and thanks John for tuning in with your thoughts. I had actually already started painting on the night flying B-Type roundels while watching the Champions League match yesterday! It was only after the game that I saw this thread update. After reading what John thinks I decided to remove the roundels I had painted on. It was a pure coincidence that I used none fuel proof paint this time, so I was able to get rid of what I had done with some white spirit and a roll of toilet paper. No damage done. I will now go for the standard A-Type roundels everywhere as the Snipe will definately be more on the pretty side with them (although the night flying B-Roundels certainly had more Funk, if you know what I mean).
With all the painted on details like white interplane struts (with black ‘socks’) and the blue fuselage bar with its white diagonal lines, I would be very surprised if these Snipes didn’t have the blue bar between the upper wing roundels so I am going to add that as well. Also you can see the wheels covers of the two on the photograph have different colours which might indicate that they are from different flights, which would indicate that this photo is from 1924. Maybe the squadron leader here had an eye for details. One more thought: I might do the fuselage and upper wing bar in a lighter blue than the roundel blue as it looks lighter on the photo. This would be a question for you John, did the squadrons at the time use paint available from RAF stocks or did they find there own suppliers? I actually had the original photograph of that top image in my hands the last time I was in Hendon. I could slap myself for only getting a photocopy instead of a scan on cd.
However, I might find out a bit more about 32 Squadron Snipes as I was able to locate a copy of W.A. Scott’s Book (called ‘Scotts Book’ – not easy to find with that title), of the Mildenhall – Melbourne Flight fame who flew Snipes in 32 Squadron in 1923. Might shed some light on 32 Squadron being a night fighter unit, although John’s observations on absent flare brackets and landing lights make perfect sense – why didn’t I see that?
Thanks again for tuning in, John and Peter. Any more comments anyone? I’ll be very pleased to hear from you all.

Well as I’ve been specifically volunteered :confused: I’ll start the ball rolling with my thoughts.
As far as I know 32 wasn’t a specific night fighter unit and the best suggestion I have seen is that the roundels were “toned down” purely as an day ident exercise marking.

Also it’s quite ridiculous to paint an a/c Silver and use it as a night fighter and paint night roundels on as a compromise. Even so the slightly later Hawker Woodcocks of 17 Sqn though still silver didn’t quite go as far as changing the roundels. If you look at the photo, those Snipes are not carrying either nav lights or the necessary flare brackets so that pretty well rules out night flying.

I think it’s a “one off” occasion and the standard roundels would normally be carried by 32Sqn. Were the a/c overall Silver? I’d say yes as the RAF hadn’t quite reached the later “Bullshine baffles brains” stage of the late 20’s and 30’s.

Why were the night fighter units Silver? I think that it was just to keep a cadre of night qualified squadrons, just in case the need ever arose and after all they had just fought the war to end all wars.

My pen’orth.

John

I’m bringing this back to the top Chris. Surely there must be someone around who’s in the know. John Aeroclub perhaps?
Come on Fellas! Get cracking!:)