Aircraft Markings

Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

Air Ministry Orders relating to Aircraft Markings post-1945

Colouring and Marking of Aircraft

The following regulations, which take effect immediately, apply to all aircraft of the Royal Air Force in the production line and to those in the Service which require re-doping in the normal course of maintenance.
These instructions supersede those contained in all Air Ministry orders previously promulgated on this subject.
Wood and fabric aircraft. - Wood and fabric types of aircraft, e.g., Mosquito and Wellington are to be painted with a silver finish, except: -
1. night fighters,
2. night bombers,
3. training aircraft.
Day fighters. - All day fighters are to be painted with a silver finish and with the smoothest surface possible, to produce the best performance.
Night fighters. - All night fighters are to be -
1. Upper surfaces -
  
  unshaded areas - dark green
  
  shaded areas - medium sea grey.
2. Under surfaces - medium sea grey.
3. Boundary between upper and under surfaces - In side elevation, the boundary is to follow the centre line of the fuselage, but is to be curved upwards or downwards to meet the leading and trailing edges of the main plane and tail plane roots.
4. Fins and rudder - medium sea grey, with a standard flash on the fin.
5. Spinners - medium sea grey.
Night bombing aircraft. - All night bombers or aircraft with a day/night bombing role, are to be: -
1. Upper surfaces - medium sea grey.
2. Under surfaces - anti-searchlight black. (AP 2656A, Vol. 1, section 7 chapter 4)
3. Boundary between and under surfaces - pattern No 2 (AP 2656A, Vol. 1, section 6, Chapter 1)
4. Spinners - medium sea grey.
Coastal aircraft. - Medium and long range anti-shipping, anti-submarine, and GR aircraft, are (subject to para. 3 above) to be -
1. Upper surfaces - medium sea grey, except where white is specified in the following sub-para. (b).
2. Under surfaces - under surfaces as defined in pattern No 1 AP 2856A, Vol. 1, section 6, chapter 2, including the under surfaces of the wings and tail, are to be glossy white - see sub-para. (c) below for definition for special requirements for flying boats. The under surfaces between the boundaries defined in patterns Nos 1 and 2 are to be white (i.e, with the standard matt finish) and, in addition -
  1. the standard white is to be extended upwards and merged into the upper surfaces in such a manner that, in front and side elevations the aircraft appears almost entirely white;
  2. for the engine nacelles, the standard white is to be extended upwards to cover the whole of the top surface, forward of the boundary of the upper surface colour of the wing near the leading edge.
3. Definition of glossy white. - The glossy finish called for in sub-para. (b) above is to be obtained as follows: -
  1. Where "C" finishing materials are used, AP 2656A, Vol. I, section 6, Chapter 1, para. 35, sub-para. (i) will apply. Where "C" finishes are to specification DTD 751-754, the white is to be followed by a final coat of transparent cellulose finish (Stores Ref. 33B/803, 804, 805).
  2. Where "S " finish materials are used, AP 2656A, Vol I, section 6, Chapter 1, para. 35, sub-para. (ii) will apply.
  3. For flying boats, the under-water surfaces of the hull and wing-tipped floats are to be given two coats of white anti-fouling, to specification DTD 420B (Stores Ref. 33B/367.)
4. Fins and rudder - white with the standard flash on the fin.
5. Spinners - white.
6. Rubber do-icing sheath - flexible paint to specification DTD 557 (Stores Ref 33B/505)
7. Engine cowl rings - white to specification DTD 314 (Stores Ref 33B/176, 177, 343 or 396)
8. Anti-glow shrouds - anti-glow white (Stores Ref 33B/528)
9. Identification marking - the serial registration numbers on the fuselage by the tail plane are to be in light slate grey instead of night.
Other coastal aircraft not covered by para. 7 above are (except aircraft coming under para. 3 above), to be: -
1. Upper surfaces - medium sea grey;
2. under surfaces - white.
3. Boundary between upper and under surfaces - pattern No 1. (AP 2656A, Vol. I, Section 6, Chapter 1)
Training aircraft. - Training aircraft, other than operational or semi-operational types which may require an operational finish to simulate realistic conditions, are to be painted silver, if of wood or fabric construction, or left unpainted with a polished bare metal surface if of metal skin construction. In addition, a band of identification yellow is to be painted round the fuselage and each main-plane: -
1. Size of bands - yellow bands are of three widths. Small aircraft will have 2 ft. wide bands, medium size aircraft will have 3 ft. wide bands, and large aircraft will have 4 ft. wide bands.
2. Position of bands - the position for the fuselage band is between the roundel and the tail plane. The position for the main-plane band is half-way, approximately, between the roundel and the fuselage. Note. - The exact position of each band will vary by aircraft, and is to be decided by commands, so as to present the best appearance.
3. For economy, where aircraft with an operational finish are allocated for training but require the silver and yellow training scheme, it will be sufficient if the yellow bands only are applied until the complete aircraft requires re-doping in the normal course of maintenance, when a silver finish can be given.
Operational and semi-operational training aircraft in operational training units, Central Fighter Establishment, Central Gunnery School, Empire Air Navigation School, Empire Central Flying School, and other advanced training units are to conform to their operational function. This does not affect the authority given for certain specific aircraft at Empire Schools, and other advanced training units, to have a polished metal finish.
Target towing and parachute test dropping aircraft - These aircraft are to have superimposed on the training scheme given in para. 9 above, under-surface additional markings of night coloured stripes, 3 ft. wide, running from port forward to starboard aft and inclined at 60 degrees to the lateral axis of the aircraft. The distance between the centre lines of the stripes is to be 9 ft., and the centre line of one stripe is to intersect the centre of the port roundel. The under surface of the tail plane excluding the elevators is to be night.
Moveable control surfaces. - Moveable control surfaces are to be kept free from identification markings, including the yellow bands applied to training aircraft.
Communication aircraft. - Communication aircraft with a metal skin are to be paint free, i.e, in bare metal - polished bright.
Photographic reconnaissance aircraft. - Photographic reconnaissance aircraft are to be painted with a silver finish and with the smoothest surface possible, to produce the best performance.
Air observation post aircraft. - Air observation post aircraft are to be: -
1. Upper surfaces -
  
  unshaded areas - dark green
  
  shaded areas - dark earth
2. Under surfaces - as upper surfaces.
3. Spinners - dark green or dark earth.
Other aircraft. - Aircraft not specified in the foregoing paragraphs are to be uncamouflaged and unpainted, except for certain specific parts of some aircraft which may require a protective covering of paint (these parts requiring paint are to be decided upon after consideration, is given to them by the Ministry of Supply - the colour of any such painted areas is to be silver), where, however, aircraft require certain surfaces filled to provide a smooth surface, the complete aircraft should be painted to obtain uniformity of colour.
Patterns. - Where aircraft require a disruptive pattern camouflage, appropriate diagrams of AP 2656A, Vol. I, section 6, Chapter 1, will apply.
Roundels. - A decision has been made to revert to the pre-war roundel on all aircraft. Unfortunately it has proved impossible to obtain the requisite bright red and bright blue paints on account of the acute shortage of the necessary raw materials. It is hoped, however, that supplies will be available in the not distant future, and modest demands for supplies should be submitted in the usual way. Stores reference numbers are contained in AP 1086.
Details of the roundels which are to replace existing roundels when supplies of paint are available are as follows: -
1. Position and dimensions. - Position and outside dimensions of roundels are to remain as they are at present.
2. Proportion. - The proportions of the colour bands are to be as follows: -
  
  Where R is the radius of the roundel.
  The radius of the red inner = ½ of R.
  Radius of the outside of white band = ⅔ of R.
  
  Radius of outside of blue band = R.
  In the interests of economy, new roundels should be applied only when the repainting of existing roundels becomes necessary.
Tail fin flashes. - Tail fin flashes will be painted with the new red and blue colours when paints are available and when repainting of flashes becomes necessary. The overall size of flashes will remain the same, but the colour proportions are to be
changed so that the width of the red, white and blue stripes are all equal.

(AMOs A864/44 and A1035/45 cancelled)

AMO A413/47 is amended as follows: -

Para. 11 Delete this paragraph and substitute: -

"11. Target towing and parachute test dropping aircraft. - For their upper surfaces, these aircraft are to conform to the training scheme given in para. 9 above; under surfaces are to be painted yellow. Superimposed on this composite scheme, the aircraft are to have under surface additional markings of night coloured stripes, 3ft. wide, running from port forward to starboard aft, and inclined at 60 degrees to the lateral axes of the aircraft. The distance between the centre lines of the stripes is to be 9 ft., and the centre line of one stripe is to intersect the centre of the port roundel. The under surface of the tailplane, excluding the elevators, is to be night."

(AMO A413/47 amended.)

Source - Air Ministry Order A586/47 dated 17 July 1947

AMO A413/47 is further amended as follows: -

Para. 14, line 2. Delete "silver "and substitute "blue".

(AMO A413/47, as amended by A586/47, amended)

Source - Air Ministry Order A977/47 dated 25 November 1947.

AMO A413/47 is further amended as follows: -

Add the following new paras. 20, 21 and 22.

"20. Aircraft code markings and identification letters. - These are carried on an aircraft to indicate the unit to which an aircraft belongs and to distinguish an individual aircraft within the unit. Details of the code markings to be used are contained in the current edition of CD 0302. Particulars of the size, colour and position of the code letters to be painted on aircraft are contained in AP 2656A, Vol. I, section 6, chapter 2.
21. Registration numbers. - The individual aircraft registration number is to be painted on aircraft in accordance with AMO A766/45, as amended by A839/45.
22. Unit badges. - Unit badges are authorised to be carried on aircraft in accordance with AMO A721/46."

(AMO A413/47. as amended by A586/47 and A977/47, amended.)

Source - Air Ministry Order A1035/47 dated 18 December 1947.

Flying of the Royal Standard, Personal Standards and the RAF Ensign on Aircraft of the Royal Aix Force

The Instructions contained in this order are issued in regard to the occasions when the Royal Standard, or other personal standard, or the RAF Ensign, as appropriate, is to be flown by RAF aircraft.
RAF aircraft will fly: -
1. the Royal Standard when carrying His Majesty the King;
2. the personal standard of the passenger, when carrying Her Majesty the Queen, Her Majesty Queen Mary, Their Royal Highnesses the Princess Elizabeth, The Princess Margaret, The Duke of Gloucester or the Princess Royal;
3. the personal flag of the Secretary of State for Air when he is the passenger;
4. the RAF Ensign when carrying any of the following passengers: -
  1. Heads of foreign states.
  2. The Viceroy of India (until 15th August, 1947, when the Dominions of India and Pakistan come into being).
  3. Governors-General of the Dominions.
  4. The Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom, Dominions, Northern Ireland or Southern Rhodesia.
  5. Cabinet ministers of the United Kingdom Government
  6. Chiefs of staff. )
  7. Ambassadors )
  8. Colonial governors ) Except that the RAF Ensign will not be flown in the United Kingdom
  9. High commissioners )
  10. Persons and/or representatives of foreign states of similar rank and importance to those referred to in (i) to (ix) above.
  11. Commanders-in-chief for the three Services (as specially designated from time to time.)
  12. Such other persons to whom the privilege may be specially accorded by an AOC-in-C or AOC an independent formation
The Royal Standard, personal standard or the RAF Ensign, as the case may be, will be mounted on a flag staff on a socket above the pilot's cockpit and will be flown when the aircraft is on the ground or water during the time that the passenger concerned is being received for embarkation or is in the immediate vicinity of the aircraft after disembarkation.

(a) Command modification action is to be taken to provide a special socket for mounting and securing the flag and a stowage provided to hold the flag when not in use. Trial installations of this modification are to be completed by the commands shown below and details submitted under normal command modification procedure. Other commands requiring details, and drawings of the modification, are to demand them from the originating command who are to reproduce the necessary copies after approval has been given.

Aircraft	Command responsible
York	Transport Command
Viking
Lancastrian
Dakota
Dominie
Proctor
Meteor, Mks. III and IV	Fighter Command
Anson, Mks XII and XIX	Maintenance Command
Auster, Mks. IV and V	BAFO
Messenger	BAFO

(b) Where suitable modifications have already been developed, details are to be forwarded to the headquarters of the responsible command shown above.

Units whose duties include the carrying of passengers as shown in para 1 above are to forward demands for the standards and ensigns to the pare to the Air Ministy (E 7(c)1) quoting the following stores reference numbers: -

Stores Ref. No	Description	Dimensions
4B/611	Flags, Standard, Royal	18 in by 12 in
4B/612	Flags, Standard, HM The Queen	18 in by 12 in
4B/613	Flags, Standard, HM Queen Mary	18 in by 12 in
4B/614	Flags, Standard, HRH The Princess Elizabeth	18 in by 12 in
4B/615	Flags, Standard, HRH The Princess Margaret	18 in by 12 in
4B/616	Flags, Standard, HRH The Duke of Gloucester	18 in by 12 in
4B/617	Flags, Standard, HRH The Princess Royal	18 in by 12 in
4B/620*	Flags, Standard, Royal	3 ft by 2 ft
4B/621*	Flags, Standard, HM The Queen	3 ft by 2 ft
4B/622*	Flags, Standard, HM Queen Mary	3 ft by 2 ft
4B/626*	Flags, Standard, HRH The Princess Elizabeth	3 ft by 2 ft
4B/627*	Flags, Standard, HRH The Princess Margaret	3 ft by 2 ft
4B/628*	Flags, Standard, HRH The Duke of Gloucester	3 ft by 2 ft
4B/629*	Flags, Standard, HRH The Princess Royal	3 ft by 2 ft
4B/618	Flags, Standard, The Secretary of State for Air	18 in by 12 in
4B/619	Ensign, RAF	18 in by 12 in
4B/23*	Ensign, RAF	3 ft by 1½ ft

*Standards and ensigns of the larger size (i.e, 3 ft by 2 ft and 3 ft by 1½ ft respectively) are for use by the King's Flight only and demands for these items are not to be submitted by other units.
Standards and ensigns are to be accounted for as items of unit equipment and are to be released when the unit ceases to be responsible for carrying the passengers mentioned in para. 1 above.

Paras. 155, 156 and 158 of KR & ACI will be amended in due course.

Source - Air Ministry Order A646/47 dated 7 August 1947.

Air Publication 2656A

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