This is interesting as I am engaged in a paralell dicussion on the markings of 607 and 608 Sqn’s on Britmodeller at this time.
John
Hi,
I am the author of ‘607 Squadron: A Shade Of Blue’. I noticed your posting on another forum re Wapiti colours of 607 Squadron. There is a flaw in that posting and this I would like to put right. The flaw is that the Wapiti’s of 607 Squadron carried squadron colours.
The aircraft of 607 Squadron did not carry squadron colours until they were equipped with the Hawker Demon September 1936. 607 Squadron had no official ‘colours, until late 1936 early 1937. The matter was only under discussion with the College of Heralds from mid 1936.
Photo’s of the Wapiti I have, show their upper decking as very dark, possibly black, dark green or blue, this was finished in a high gloss. ‘Camouflage and Markings’ Harleyford. P 72 states that all RAF Wapiti’s were painted with black upper decking to avoid glare. However, the gloss finish on 607s Wapiti’s would make a bit of a nonsense of this as the glare would come from high gloss paint.
The ‘mauve’ carried of the squadron colours and carried on the Demons is very light in tone when compared with the dark colour on the Wapiti’s upper decking: there is no way that this dark colour is Mauve. However, I can confirm that SOME Wapiti’s did carry a light coloured cheat line, this may be yellowish: emphasis on ‘some’ Wapiti’s. However the photo’s I have that show this date from 1935 therefore, in no way could it be squadron colours. It may be flight colours, the squadron consisted of three flights at that time or it could be personal choice.
Hope this is of help.
Best Wishes.
Robert Dixon.
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