Code Development

Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

Development of Aircraft, MT and Marine Craft Markings 1918 - 1939

AMWO 895/24 (18 December 1924)

Distinguishing Marks on Aircraft

The standardisation of squadron and flight marking on aircraft is under consideration and orders will be issued in due course.
Pending a decision on this subject, any squadron which has adopted a system may be permitted to retain the distinguishing mark providing it does not obscure the national marking and is approved by the AOC.
Flight Markings - It has been decided that a distinguishing mark shall be adopted in respect of flights of each squadron by painting wheel discs of the aircraft as indicated below. These markings will be taken into use forthwith.
- 'A' Flight - red
- 'B' Flight - yellow
- 'C' Flight - blue
In no circumstances will radiators, spinners or other parts of aircraft be painted in any but their original colour, nor will mottoes, badges or other devices be painted on aircraft.

AMWO 290/1920 (25 March 1920)

Markings of MT Vehicles

Images 448-49

AMWO 501/1926 (17 March 1926)

Identification Marks on Aircraft

In order to facilitate the Identification of individual aircraft while in flight, it has been decided that the respective letters and numbers of aircraft shall be painted as large as possible on the under-aide of the lower planes.
The method of marking will be similar to that which now applies to the Avro 504K and which is as follows -
1. The first letter or number commences one foot from the outer edge of the identification circle.
2. Letters and numbers are placed centrally along the under-side of the planes.
3. Those on the port wing are painted in the reverse way from those on the starboard wing so as to facilitate reading from two directions.
4. Height of letters and. figures          - 2 ft 6 in.
  Width of letters and figures           - 1 ft 0in.
  Space between letters and figures - 6 in.
  Width of marking                         - 4 in
This method will be the basis of all markings, and aircraft should be marked with letters and figures of an proportionate size. Black paint will be used on aluminium dope, and white paint on dark green dope.
(i) The provisions of this order will apply to all aircraft at home, with the exception of those of the Fleet Air Arm, and arrangements should be made for the necessary markings to be carried out as early as possible.
(ii) As regards aircraft in overseas commands, application of the order will be left to the discretion of the respective AOCs.

AMWO 290/1929 (15 August 1929)

Paintwork of RAF Power-driven Marine Craft

All RAF power-driven marine craft are in future to be painted as follows:-

Hulls	Black
Upper deck woodwork at present painted, including hoods, dodgers, funnels, ventilators, masts etc.	Battleship grey (Stores Ref 33B/40)
Deckhouses and upper deck woodwork at present varnished.	Copal varnish
Water line	Two-inch white band.
Below water, line	Solution, anti-fouling red (Stores Ref. 33A/249).
Decks and rubbing strakes	To be left bare

The RAF identification marks of 12 in diameter are to be painted on the bows.
Identification, numbers are to he painted in accordance with the instructions contained in KR & ACL para. 2020.
The work of painting is to be carried out by unit labour and paint of the specified colours can be obtained on demand from No.3. Stores Depot.
This order is applicable only to marine craft attached to Home and Mediterranean Commands.*

*Amended by AMWO 671/1929 (31 October 1929)

AMWO 349/1930 (28 August 1930)

Identification of Aircraft - Alterations to Rudder Markings

To distinguish RAF aeroplanes more readily from those of other countries it has been decided to alter the rudder markings.
On all future aircraft delivered from contractors, the rudder markings will be painted in accordance with the following colour scheme :- The parts of the rudder and tail fins which lie behind the rudder post will be painted in equal vertical stripes, a red stripe next to the rudder past, a blue stripe at the trailing edge, and a white stripe between, the total Width covering the rudder.

A similar alteration is to be carried out by RAF units to all aeroplanes on their charge. This will involve the reversal of the colours at present on the rudders, and for this purpose the following materials are to be used :-

Stores Ref	Nomenclature
	Colours, identification :-
33B/3	Blue, bright
33B/4	Red, bright
	Coverings, dope :-
33B/26	Transparent.

The colour, identification, red, may be applied over the present blue marking and the blue over the present red marking. in each instance two coats will be required. The process is to be completed by the application of one coat of covering, dope, transparent.

Units are to carry out the alteration to the rudder markings on aeroplanes on their charge at the earliest convenient opportunity, but, to secure uniformity, all aeroplanes are to have the new markings incorporated not later than 31st October, 1930.
The necessary amendments to the following Air Publications will be made in due course -
1. KR & ACI (AP 968), Chapter XII, Section XI, para. 796, sub-para. (a) (ii).

AMO E63/1930 (29 January 1931)

Identification Marks on Aeroplanes

In order to facilitate the identification of individual aircraft while in flight, it has been decided that the respective letters and numbers of aircraft shall be painted as large as possible on the under side of the lower planes

The method of marking will be similar to that which now applies to the Avro 504N and which is as follows -

The first letter or number commences one foot from the outer edge of the identification circle.
Letters and numbers are placed centrally along the under-side of the planes.
Those on the port wing are painted in the reverse way to those on the starboard wing so as to facilitate reading from two directions.
Height of letters and. figures          - 2 ft 6 in.
Width of letters and figures           - 1 ft 6in.
Space between letters and figures - 6 in.
Width of marking                         - 4 in

This method will be the basis of all markings, and aircraft should be marked with letters and figures of an proportionate size. Black paint will be used.

(i) The provisions of this order will apply to all aircraft at home, with the exception of those of the Fleet Air Arm, and arrangements should be made for the necessary markings to be carried out as early as possible.
(ii) As regards aircraft in overseas commands, application of the order will be left to the discretion of the respective AOCs.

(AMWO 171/1927 cancelled.)

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