StevieD Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 The Polish chequerboard. In 1939 the red square is always at top left. In Morane/ Caudron photos from 1940 the red square is top right. In Britain it varies. Is there a correct orientation for the chequerboard? I’d imagine it should be as 1939 but why did it change in France? Many thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 (edited) Problem was that sometimes local ground staff, who paint the marking did not care how it should be. So, they made the orientation a bit random. I never heard, that orientation was differently defined by any kind of formal order during WW2, maybe I am wrong but I never heard. Pre war, PZL P 11 a MS 406 (French period. rotated insignia) Caudron 714 Mosquito still in French style - but maybe only the photo print was mirror reflected - the swastikas are wrong oriented too!) However here, on other Mosquito from also 307 Squadron again the orientation is wrong ("French style') - please not the ok written R on nose. Again French style, still 307 Squadron But below another Mosquito, looks like FB VI, so from 305 Squadron, with proper orientation back to right orientation on Spitfire Agian French style on E. Horbaczewski's Mustang So in RAF period of PAF it is likely that in certain squadrons one or another style was adopted and used, I think untill there will be another explanation this can work as temporary hypo... And with Soviets, Shcherbakov ShCh2 Pe 2 And close to moder times Mig 21 now, F16 - Please note "return" do French period orientation. The change noticable on F 16 is because the orientation has officially changed in 1993 to that previously observed in France In above figure there is evolution of Polish chaquerboard - without round (1918-21), with red on top left (officially 1921-93) and with red on top right (after 1993) Regards J-W Edited May 12, 2020 by JWM 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
303sqn Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 In the early days after the chessboard was adopted the way it was painted varied. Later it was standardised with the red squares top left and bottom right. After the defeat of Poland the Air Force reformed in France and were allowed to display the chessboard on the side of the fuselage of their aircraft. As a gesture it was painted in reverse, or as some say negative, and it was to remain in this orientation until Poland was free again. In Britain it was just down to whim. After the collapse of the Soviet Union many of the Eastern European countries discarded their Soviet era markings and reverted to those used in the past. In a 'Me Too' moment the Polish government joined in and ordered that the orientation of the markings be reversed. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 (edited) Hypothesis on "squadron depended orientation" is not confirmed by 307 Squadron Defiant But Beau has the same as later Mosquitos Other Polish Squadrons (correct): 300 301 correct, please increased size 302 correct 303 (correct) 304 (correct) 305, correct 306 French style! 308 - correct 309 correct 315 french 316 both - vide in previous post Horbaczewski Mustang Edited May 12, 2020 by JWM 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevieD Posted May 13, 2020 Author Share Posted May 13, 2020 Yes, I did wonder if it was reversed in France as a sign Poland wasn’t free. It was the variation in Britain that confused me. I suppose there were a lot more things to worry about at the time but I know there’s a Polish tendency to be accurate about these things – my father was Polish! As JWM shows most were correct orientation but even within squadrons you can’t be sure - Tadeusz Schiele’s Spitfire V of 308 has ‘French style.’ I’m just finishing 307 Defiant EW H. Not finding any actual photos I followed the instructions on the Model Maker Decals, then realised this was ‘French style’ when all other 307 Defiants are correct. No doubt ‘H’ was as well but I can’t be sure. Many thanks for your help and best to rely on photos I suppose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM Posted May 13, 2020 Share Posted May 13, 2020 Let look what can be known on Dofiants in 307 Squadron correct also Another one also correct https://www.mysliwcy.pl/forum/watki.php?id=490&ustaw=&s=291# And photo of preserved machine from 1972 in all cases correct, so 5:0 for "correct" . Have you seen any Polish Defiant with French style? I will go for "correct" Regards J-W 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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