vikingBerserker
Lieutenant General
Why would a fighter pilot need a dozen flares?
Curtiss P-36 Hawk , Curtiss Hawk Model 75
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fubar57
General
Saw that as well David. I always thought they were to indicate a distressed pilot/aircraft. Maybe the first one is for "F**ked" and then the rest indicate the level, "really", "really, really", "really, really, really" etc
buffnut453
Captain
Signaling "colours of the day" over ships? Naval gun crews are notoriously trigger-happy and so multiple flares may be required before they stop shooting at you.
GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
Before radios came into standard use, they used various flare colors (or combinations) for signalling.
(Additional because of phone interruption)
In WWI, the RFC had issued a standard for flare signals:
Red flare meant "Rally on me";
Fired by the flight leader, it was used to form up the flight on his position after taking off or to reassemble the flight after a fight.
Fired by a flight member, meant they are having trouble and need the flight to rally to them for help.
White flare meant "Return to the Aerodrome";
Fired by the flight leader only, over enemy territory, the flight was to immediately form on the leader to return to base. If fired over friendly territory, they were to return to base at best possible speed without formation.
Green flare meant "I must return to the Aerodrome";
Fired by the flight leader only, the flight command was transferred to the leader's wingman.
Also, an interesting situation where flares were used:
During the Battle of Malta, a Ju87 became seriously damaged and tried to make an emergency landing at Lucca. The British AA was fierce, preventing the Stuka from approaching, so the Stuka's pilot fired three red flares followed by a green flare.
The British at the airfield saw this and replied with a white flare, at which point the AA ceased and the Stuka was able to make thier landing.
(Additional because of phone interruption)
In WWI, the RFC had issued a standard for flare signals:
Red flare meant "Rally on me";
Fired by the flight leader, it was used to form up the flight on his position after taking off or to reassemble the flight after a fight.
Fired by a flight member, meant they are having trouble and need the flight to rally to them for help.
White flare meant "Return to the Aerodrome";
Fired by the flight leader only, over enemy territory, the flight was to immediately form on the leader to return to base. If fired over friendly territory, they were to return to base at best possible speed without formation.
Green flare meant "I must return to the Aerodrome";
Fired by the flight leader only, the flight command was transferred to the leader's wingman.
Also, an interesting situation where flares were used:
During the Battle of Malta, a Ju87 became seriously damaged and tried to make an emergency landing at Lucca. The British AA was fierce, preventing the Stuka from approaching, so the Stuka's pilot fired three red flares followed by a green flare.
The British at the airfield saw this and replied with a white flare, at which point the AA ceased and the Stuka was able to make thier landing.
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Good shots!
GrumpyOldCrewChief
Airman 1st Class
It is nice to see a "real" photo of this type of aircraft in service, in the field. Especially one that displays the national markings on the upper wing as clearly as this shot does! Compared to most other combatants' practices, these markings seem rather small.
Elvis
Chief Master Sergeant
Pulled this from a Pintrest page, but it obviously sources from a FB page.
P-36's in Finnish service....
P-36's in Finnish service....
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Snautzer01
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