Reply to post

B-24 Tail Markings

Author
Post
Essentials Only Full Version
Big Chudy
Squadron Member
  • Total Posts : 48
  • Reward points : 2784
  • Joined:
  • Location: Highland, California
  • Status: offline
(permalink)
0

B-24 Tail Markings

Hi,
 
Did all the A/C that flew in the Ploesti raids all have the Red, White and Blue Square insignia on the Rudders? (inside and out)
 
TIA
Andy
 

 
Quote  #1

3 Replies Related Threads
    Lucky Partners
    Division Member
    • Total Posts : 2254
    • Reward points : 6573
    • Joined:
    • Location: Florida
    • Status: offline
    RE: B-24 Tail Markings (permalink)
    0
    Hi Andy,
     
    Sitting here thumbing through Air Force Colors by Dana Bell.  Book includes numerous photos of various aircraft sporting that red, white, and blue square, including B-24s, B-17s and P40s.  Bell calls them 'RAF fin flashes'.  Can't really answer your question, but they certainly appeared on SOME planes that went to Ploesti.
     
    Hal
    Quote  #2
    Herb Harper
    Wing Member
    • Total Posts : 550
    • Reward points : 5749
    • Joined:
    • Status: offline
    RE: B-24 Tail Markings (permalink)
    0
    Just a note:
     
    The photo is of 42-40402  "The Sandman"  lost on 19 Dec. 1943. A Documentary film by an Italian film co. has just been released. It is narrated in Italian Language and tells the story of the loss, location and efforts to identify the aircraft and crew. statements of  Italians on the ground who saw the shoot down. some are still living. It is titled "The Lost Bomber of the Dolomites"  I have a copy along with the English translation, as I worked with the Rastelli Film Company and Anna Claudia Racco, the producer, helping with the history of the aircraft, identifying the crew and locating relatives of the deceased crew members.
     
    The Documentary is scheduled to be released VIA the History Channel some time in the future.
     
    Herb Harper
     
    Quote  #3
    buckeyeuk
    Scooter
    • Total Posts : 1565
    • Reward points : 10005
    • Joined:
    • Location: Bedford England
    • Status: offline
    RE: B-24 Tail Markings (permalink)
    0
    Andy       this is the standard RAF fin flash , it was applied to Ninth AF fighters and bombers from 1942 in line with RAF and Commonwealth squadrons in the Desert Air Force.
    The marking should have been on all operational aircraft by 1943.
    In effect it was a "Theatre marking" for all Allied aircraft in the Middle East, ordered by HQ USAAF Middle East in Dec. 1942. The Eighth AF B-24 groups sent to N. Africa for the Ploesti missions had the flashes added on arrival. When they returned to England it was a way of recognising the Ploesti "veterans".
    Nick
    Quote  #4
    Jump to:
    © 2013 APG vNext Commercial Version 4.3