I have seen photos of many RAF prototype aircraft (Mainly WW2 era aircraft) carrying a Yellow P within a circle. I was wondering if anybody could shed light on why this was adopted? Was it required or all protype aircraft? And when this practice started and ended?
And just for illustration a photo of the interesting Hurricane biplane carrying the ‘P’.
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Mark
By: Edgar Brooks - 8th May 2015 at 12:32
Supermarine noted it as a requirement, and an amendment (not a modification, so possibly issued as a DTD circular) from 10-11-41.
By: Ant.H - 8th May 2015 at 11:28
I can’t find an example just at that moment, but I’m sure I’ve seen light blue Circle-P’s. Whether this is an erroneous modern interpretation or not I don’t know.
By: Lee Howard - 8th May 2015 at 11:19
The P was not always in a circle and not always yellow. Pics here: http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?119197-WORLD-AIR-FORCE-ROUNDELS&p=2223577#post2223577
Err….I think you’ll find they’re all yellow and all in circles (read the thread – it tells you about orthochromic film). The Marathon is a red herring: that’s not a prototype marking ‘P’…
By: Gerard - 8th May 2015 at 10:18
The P was not always in a circle and not always yellow. Pics here: http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?119197-WORLD-AIR-FORCE-ROUNDELS&p=2223577#post2223577
By: Wokka Bob - 7th May 2015 at 20:51
Until the better informed come along, as far as I can ascertain; Air Ministry Order (AMO) 513/41 dated 10.7.41 specified prototypes to have yellow undersides.
From 1942 (AMO 664/42 dated 2.7.42) specified yellow undersides and the letter ‘P’ in yellow encircled by a yellow ½” ring of equal diameter to fuselage roundel. Air Publication 2656A Vol 1, Sect 6, Chap 2 (October 1944) goes into more detail of the dimensions of the markings.
Currently I have yet to find the AMO that rescinds these markings.
By: windhover - 7th May 2015 at 20:15
The “P” in a 25 inch diameter circle came in to effect 11th July 1941.
It was actually not an RAF, but a manufacturers’ requirement for identifying prototype aircraft submitted under the relevant Air Ministry specification… eg: Air Ministry Specification F.18/37… “Heavily armed interceptor armed with 12 x 0.303 mgs and capable of at least 400 mph”… for which the following prototypes were submitted:
Bristol F.18/37, Gloster F.18/37: Hawker Tornado, Hawker Typhoon; Supermarine Type 324, Supermarine Type 325.
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May 7, 2015 at 11:45 am