RAF tail flash

Rudder stripes first came into use by an instruction dated 7th March 1915 with blue leading. Night flying types had red and blue stripes only. Altered to red leading in 1930 and discarded in 1934.

At a meeting on 8th March 1940 at the Air Ministry, the question of recognition markings arose and the C in C Fighter Command mentioned that he had heard from the Air Component in France that the markings applied to the rudders were proving a very effective identification feature. The Coastal Command representative mentioned the work being done by 16 Group with regard to this matter. After some discussion,. the C in C Fighter Command agreed that the roundel showed up much more distinctively with a yellow ring around the outside but he appears to have thought that some form of tail marking was also required.

On 3rd April the Air Ministry wrote to Coastal Command to inform them that the idea of applying recognition markings to the tail of an aircraft was being considered, but that such marking should not be applied to the control surfaces because of problems associated with mass balance. The alternative suggested by the Air Ministry was to carry markings on both sides of the fin and on the upper and lower surfaces of the fixed portion of the tailplanes. While a yellow fin was suggested, it was realised that defeat the object of camouflaging the aircraft. The Air Ministry requested Coastal Command consider the idea of applying national markings on fixed surfaces and reply with their views.

On 1st May 1940 the Air Ministry sent signal X485 to all Commands at home and overseas amending the markings carried by RAF aircraft. Fuselage roundels were to be circled with a yellow band the same width as the existing blue band. Vertical stripes of red, white and blue were to be painted on the fins. Because those aircraft in France had set a precedent of applying vertical stripes on the rudder, and this was perceived as causing problems with the rudder’s balance, the signal stressed the new marking was to be applied to the fin. Blue should be nearest the rudder, but clear of the hinge. Because no size of the new marking was given, many different interpretations arose. On 11th May a further signal, X740, was sent stating that the fin markings of three vertical stripes need not necessarily occupy the whole surface of the fin. It was sufficient that the width of the marking was such that it was to be clearly visible. On no account were the hinge points or moveable surfaces to be painted.

Thanks, I had my suspicions and don’t actually remember the other thread, plus searching isn’t easy.

Is there a good book anywhere that details RAF markings, sizes, colours, positions etc over the years and the changes?

I don’t know if the rudder striping was an order, or just a proposal, but on April 3rd., 1940, the D.O.R. demurred, telling the Air Ministry that it would adversely affect the pre-balanced rudders, and proposing, instead, that the fin be used (presumably he didn’t know that 1 Squadron had gone ahead and proved him wrong – or rebalanced their rudders, which wasn’t easy.)
Although I haven’t found the order, it appears that the Ministry did order the fins to be used, on May 1st., since, on May 11th., they clarified it, saying that the stripes did not need to cover the whole fin, they just had to be big enough to be visible.
Edgar

The same question was asked here a few months back…

http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?t=100580

As far as I can make out the changeover to Red leading was 1930 and 1935 for the deletion of the of rudder stripes until I think their re-adoption by 1 Sqn in France in 1939 when they kept being bounced by French a/c then later to the fin flash became the norm.

John

I briefly thought I was going mad and had got some artwork wrong without noticing but upon checking, during the early years the blue was at the front on the port side but at some point before 1939 it changed to red being at the front.Therefore what was the date when it officially changed over and did French markings have an effect on it?

Yes, it was to differentiate from the French. I believe RAF changed in August 1930. In Australia, we followed RAF markings, and the RAAF changed to red leading edge in October 1930, with all markings to be changed by the end of that year.

Rudder striping in the RAAF (presumably RAF) was discontinued in 1934 as aircraft performance improved.

No idea, but I do know that the RAF’s last single-seat Hunter had the starboard fin flash applied the wrong way round with the blue at the front! :p