Jump to content

striped tail Lancaster, 550 Sq, daylight formation markings?


Troy Smith

Recommended Posts

on Hyperscale this was posted

http://www.network54.com/Forum/149674/thread/1479232962/last-1479242221/(View+All+Messages+In+This+Thread)

linking to this

https://www.warhistoryonline.com/military-vehicle-news/invasion-stripes-in-35-images.html/2

 

with various random pics and someone who doesn't know much about Typhoon identity stripes,  but does have one pic I'd not seen before

 

image094_small1.jpg

 

mentioned as perhaps a 550 sq plane?

 

I've seen temporary markings on Lancs before, but this is a new one too me, so thought worth sharing here.

Anyone know more about the photo?

a quick google of  "550 squadron lancaster formation markings"

got this

http://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?128617-Invasion-stripes-on-Lancasters

with  the above photo

edit - larger pic

http://www.550squadronassociation.org.uk/original-site-archive/lib/image094.jpg

 

a search  here 

http://www.550squadronassociation.org.uk/

has not  turned up the above photo on the site, but I presume it identity is known there?

 

there is this shot

 

http://www.550squadronassociation.org.uk/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FOLBCameron/Images/LM273-AirCrew-and-GroundCrew.jpg

with a white(?) stripe over the fuselage  door

more on LM273 here

http://www.550squadronassociation.org.uk/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FOLBCameron/index.php

 

Hope of interest

 

T

Link to comment
Share on other sites

the odd 'blue' is due most likely due to  a colour filter,  note also the fin flash and roundel show the same reversal of 'colour'

 

Code letter looks to be 'P'?  

I've tried to find out more from the site, but no luck as yet.   

 

I'll email them, as more info would be fascinating, as well as making for a striking model.

 

cheers

T

EDIT on the archived site the photo is captioned

"SGT FRANK WRIGHT (Tail Gunner) SGT LEONARD WARTNABY (Mid Upper Gunner)
In crew of Fl.Lt STONE. NOTE “INVASION STRIPES” OM TAILPLANE"

which lead to  this

http://www.550squadronassociation.org.uk/documents/public/Lancasters-Crews/FlLtRPStone/index.php

funny they should call them 'invasion stripes'... time for an email

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by Troy Smith
more info
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

If you look carefully there are also markings on the rudder/fins.

I do believe this is a temporary marking system for the daylight raids.

Initially I thought they were strips as used by the SDF Flight that operated out of Binbrook; that unit utlilsed crews from numerous No1 Group stations, but this seems not to be the case as the SDF had two horizontal strips on the rudder/fin unlike those shown in the 550 tail end photo.

Ian

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...