Why did RAF planes have French flag?

In an attempt to conform to the appearance of French military aircraft, rudder stripes reappeared on aircraft (mainly Fairey Battles and Hawker Hurricanes) of the RAF based in France, starting in early September 1939. These stripes were painted in standard RAF colours in the order blue, white, red.

Why did British Spitfires have French flags?

At high speeds, the tail insignia looked like the Iron Cross, and many British soldiers were shooting at the planes, especially when they flew low. The insignia was then changed to a reverse French flag so that the soldiers on the ground could recognise it as friendly, whether or not they recognized it as British.”

Why did RAF roundel have yellow?

The standard inter-war (1920 – 1939) roundel with a yellow ring added to make identification of friendly aircraft easier. Painted on both bombers that operated at night and night fighters on the fuselage. The same as the camouflaged surfaces (1937 – 1939) roundel but painted onto the fuselage only until July 1942.

What is the insignia of the RAF?

Royal Air Force – Insignia. This is an early Canadian eagle for RCAF or RAF trained in Canada for Khaki Great Coats, tropical jacket wear and by AOP pilots on Khaki BD. For the record, the Shoulder Flashes were worn on each arm, at the top of the tunic sleeve, just below the shoulder.

What did the French air force do in ww2?

On May 17 French air force bombers carried out six sorties and French navy dive bombers 20. On the 23rd the air force managed just two bombing sorties and the surviving navy dive bombers six, with Latécoère 298 floatplanes based at Cherbourg carrying out a further 18 bombing missions south of Boulogne.

What does an RAF wing commander do?

Usage. In the early years of the RAF, a wing commander commanded a flying wing, typically a group of three or four aircraft squadrons. In current usage a wing commander is more likely to command a wing which is an administrative sub-division of an RAF station.

Why is RAF blue?

RAF blue. The shade derives from the light blue uniforms issued to the newly formed British Royal Air Force in 1920, which were influential in the design of the uniforms of some other air forces around the world. Similar shades are still used in Royal Air Force uniforms and the Royal Air Force Ensign.

What did the Air Force do in WW2?

The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF or AAF) was the major land-based aerial warfare service component of the United States Army and de facto aerial warfare service branch of the United States during and immediately after World War II (1941–1945).

What is the national insignia of the RAF?

If you look at the RAF’s combat aircraft the insignia are red and blue. White is only used on the roundels and tail flashes of non ‘front-line’ aircraft. The first national insignia used by what was then the RFC was the union flag painted on the wings of their aircraft. Unfortunately the most visible part of the flag was the St George’s cross.

Why does the Royal Air Force (RAF) have wings?

The Royal Air Force (RAF) has used various ‘wings’ brevets as identifying symbols for aircrew since its formation, with hotly-contested political debates within the service over their symbolic value dating back to the time of their introduction by the Royal Flying Corps. [1]

What was the first national insignia used by the RFC?

The first national insignia used by what was then the RFC was the union flag painted on the wings of their aircraft. Unfortunately the most visible part of the flag was the St George’s cross. In the heat of action this could be mistaken for the Iron Cross on German aircraft.

Why did the British change the insignia on WW1 planes?

From a distance, this resembled the black and white crosses used on German aircraft, leading to friendly fire from British infantry. The insignia was changed to the roundel on the logical grounds that it’s better to only get shot at by the enemy.