British Roundels

[Tiger]

I was wondering why certain roundels were used on certain parts of the aircraft, and why they had many different types and variations. Thanks.

http://www.homepages.mcb.net/bones/01UKAV/roundels/RAF_ROUNDELS.htm

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

it's not quite as easy as the site makes out, it also depended on the command and cammo scheme on the aircraft, if you have any more specific questions they'll be easier to answer, but each one has it's own explanation, for example the white was kept to a minimum later in the war as it was often too visible, and also only believe the ratios on that site, the dimensions of roundels varied according to the plane and it's position.............

interestingly when the RAF was first formed they wanted to put the roundels right under the cockpit but the pilots weren't too keen on having something that looked just like a target right next to them so it was decided to move it back

 

[Tiger]

Why did some have a yellow ring?

 

[Gnomey]

This site should explain some things: http://cocardes.monde.online.fr/v2html/en/pays/royaume_uni.html

The yellow ring was to improve the contrast to the camoflaged aircraft.

 

[Tiger]

Thanks Gnomey, that site seems to answer most of my questions. The only question I have is why did some aircraft have different types of roundels in different places instead of all the roundels being the same?

 

[KraziKanuK]

Tiger, if you want to know, get British Aviation Colours of WW2, ISBN 0-88254-407-1 put out by the RAF Museum. Vol 3 of the series.

There is a table that shows what roundel goes with which type of a/c. It gives dimensions and placement for the roundels and fin flashes.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

again it comes down to type of aircraft and when/where they flew, Bomber Command used the B-type roundel on the upper surfaces as it was harder to spot, and thus incresed it's chances of not being spotted at evening/early morning, and none were worn underneath because they were easily spotted by spotlights, fighter command however aften prefered roundels with white in and even the yellow border because in the heat of combat it was easier to spot the white and yellow parts so you don't end up shooting your own guys, and cammo has a lesser part to play in fighter operations, and fin flashes traditionally match the fusilage roundels, if you have a large white section in your side roundel, you have a large central white stripe in the fin flash, small white area=small stripe in fin flash, as for positioning they always tried to get them in the traditional 6 locations (one either side of mid/rear fusilage, one on each upper outside wing and one on each lower outside wing) unless the mission profiles meant it was best to do something different (as in BC not using lower roundels at night) or the plane was unusual and couldn't have them in the normal places..........

 

[Tiger]

again it comes down to type of aircraft and when/where they flew, Bomber Command used the B-type roundel on the upper surfaces as it was harder to spot, and thus incresed it's chances of not being spotted at evening/early morning, and none were worn underneath because they were easily spotted by spotlights, fighter command however aften prefered roundels with white in and even the yellow border because in the heat of combat it was easier to spot the white and yellow parts so you don't end up shooting your own guys, and cammo has a lesser part to play in fighter operations, and fin flashes traditionally match the fusilage roundels, if you have a large white section in your side roundel, you have a large central white stripe in the fin flash, small white area=small stripe in fin flash, as for positioning they always tried to get them in the traditional 6 locations (one either side of mid/rear fusilage, one on each upper outside wing and one on each lower outside wing) unless the mission profiles meant it was best to do something different (as in BC not using lower roundels at night) or the plane was unusual and couldn't have them in the normal places..........

Thanks lancaster, that makes sense. It always had me wondering if there was logic behind it or whether it was the lack roundel decals or some other reason.

KraziKanuK I'll go to the library on Monday and see if they have it or if they can get it in.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

in most cases roundels were painted on i believe, the transfers in your link above, being only 9", were proberly used on RAF ground vehicles, there was always logic to the roundels chosen.................