Impressed civilian aircraft schemes

Martin,

I recalled a famous pic of Tiger Moth G-ADGT c.1939 in the book Aviation in Northamptonshire which clearly shows it and others with ‘standard size’ civvy reg’s on the fuselage, one other pic shows Gadget on her nose with full span reg letters across the upper wing as per pre war days. This was AFTER the camo had been applied (making a mockery of the camo as the upper wing letters are both black and white over dark/light camo!) I cannot see whether the letters were carried on the underside but I suspect it is a pretty good bet they were.

ATB

TT

Hello,

Can anyone tell me if aircraft impressed into RAF service at the beginning of WW2, had their civilian registrations painted under the wings. I’ve seen photos with the G-**** in the same position as the military serial numbers, but did the registration go under the port wing or across both as when in civilian colours ?

Martin

If it had the civil marking, it’s unlikely to be one of the impressed aircraft – more likely one of the civil registrations that flew through the war.

Hi,

Civil aircraft which were camouflaged would carry their civil registrations above and below the wings, coloured “night” (black) outlined in “Aluminium” (silver) – although it would often be mistaken for white on B&W photos. Registrations would typically be spread over both wings. The registrations were underlined in red, white and blue.

This is dated about 1942 when schemes were more formalised.

This is from 1944 – the scheme had changed a little.

It is a complex subject if you want the details spot on but I hope this helps with general guidance.

AllanK

I’m away from my files so can’t give the full reference but the source was an Air Ministry file at the National Archives. It was a directive for BOAC on how to paint their aircraft.

Don’t know about international agreements, although clearly schemes had to be recognised by neutrals. BOAC, concerned about making their aircraft more obviously British, were given approval to place Union flags on the nose.

AK

Excellent material, Pondskater…what’s the source?…Was there any kind of international agreement on markings and colour bands for civil aircraft in WWII?,

One curiosity in the British civilian WWII markings was the use of the title British Airways near the Union Jack on many of the aircraft rather than British Overseas Airways.(Pic courtesy Swedish Aviation Historical Society) (Have sent a PM)