picture request

[phantom II]

The top picture and the others from that series are 417 Sqn RCAF when based in Tunisia. They transitioned to Mk VIII's before Operation Husky flying them until March 1945 when they received Mk IX's.

In response to your question, SAAF used orange on the fin flash and roundel in place of red.

Cheers,
RichB

I did not realize that fine point . I always thought it was due to poor coloring or paint issues .
That brings up a question . Can you actually tell the difference in black and white pictures ?

 

[paddy]

I supose you might if you had a comparison or reference but i think you would have to be looking for it.
well done RichB, i wondered how long it would take a Canadian to spot 417

 

[RichB]

I did not realize that fine point . I always thought it was due to poor coloring or paint issues .
That brings up a question . Can you actually tell the difference in black and white pictures ?

The orange can appear lighter than the red. The tricky bit can be that the aircraft came from RAF depots with RAF roundels. The squadrons would repaint with orange when time and material allowed so they could have both styles of markings in use.

A little trivia. The RCAF Maple Leaf Roundel was approved for use on the RCAF Ensign in June 1940. It's use on aircraft was delayed until January 1946. Other Commonwealth air forces would follow suit with springboks, kangaroos, kiwis, etc.

During the war some RCAF squadrons applied an 8" maple leaf roundel below the windscreen.

Cheers,
RichB

 

[paddy]

I think also the Canadians and Australians and New Zealand commands were within the RAF during the was so were not allowed to paint their own roundels till after so 417 was an RAF Squadron (Canadian) where as the SAAF were integrated but never part of the RAF ?