Lockheed F-4A-1-LO to french AF infos needed

rafju said:

Dear All
As the title says, may be you can of any help to clarify some points that I've not found in french books.
activity period: 1943 (following the "Operation Torch")
operation theater: North Africa
I just read that the first two planes "devoted" to the french 33è Escadre de reconnaissance" were the S/N
41-2363
41-2365
And now, what I need to know is about their previous life, before they were in the french Escadre, from which unit did they belong, this is to explain some parts of their nose' markings.

Please what is this marking indicated by the arrows, sometimes under new french marking or partially erased?
The period photos below are either of the 363 or 365:
View attachment 807531

View attachment 807533

View attachment 807534

With many thanks for any info
Raphael

Click to expand...

Daniel BASTIEN said:

I confirm : This is a marking (2 crossed chemist cornulas) that had been placed on 4 Lightnings of the Reconnaissance Group 2/33 which participtaed to Operation Shingle, the landing at Anzio in January 1944.

The paint was a special paint that reacted to contact with the combat gases that the Allied command feared the German could use. If, upon landing, the marking had changed color, it would have meant that the plane had flown through a toxic cloud. In such a case, the mechanics would have had to spray the aircraft with water before touching it... and be very careful.

Click to expand...

Daniel BASTIEN said:

I confirm : This is a marking (2 crossed chemist cornulas) that had been placed on 4 Lightnings of the Reconnaissance Group 2/33 which participtaed to Operation Shingle, the landing at Anzio in January 1944.

The paint was a special paint that reacted to contact with the combat gases that the Allied command feared the German could use. If, upon landing, the marking had changed color, it would have meant that the plane had flown through a toxic cloud. In such a case, the mechanics would have had to spray the aircraft with water before touching it... and be very careful.

Click to expand...

rafju said:

Dear All
As the title says, may be you can of any help to clarify some points that I've not found in french books.
activity period: 1943 (following the "Operation Torch")
operation theater: North Africa
I just read that the first two planes "devoted" to the french 33è Escadre de reconnaissance" were the S/N
41-2363
41-2365
And now, what I need to know is about their previous life, before they were in the french Escadre, from which unit did they belong, this is to explain some parts of their nose' markings.

Please what is this marking indicated by the arrows, sometimes under new french marking or partially erased?
The period photos below are either of the 363 or 365:
View attachment 807531

View attachment 807533

View attachment 807534

With many thanks for any info
Raphael

Click to expand...

yvan moulin said:

hello
first sorry for my english I 've lost the use to wright it

now the strange markings :

it's chemical cornuta ( not sure that's the right term) in special paint for combat gaz ..!!! if the aircraft come accross gaz cloud , the color change and you have to take care at the openining of cameras cases ...
i fInd the info in a french book which is the diary of the french 33e escadre de reconnaissance (33th reccon wing) call "Les Chevaliers de l'Ombre "

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