(Another) British markings questions

In a recent thread about marking placement on a British bomber, the question was raised about the order of the letters on the fuselage. I was just looking at my Spitfire Mk.V with marking QJ S on the port side. … the QJ somewhat below and behind the canopy. They appear to be somewhat oversized on this particular a/c, so the order on the starboard side is . I assume this is because there was not enough room the put the QJ behind the roundel because of the fuselage band. My question is… What is the significance of the double and single letters in British markings? Are the double for the squadron and the single to identify a particular a/c? And keeping the grouping the same is more important than the order when space dictates that it might need to be changed. I Google dozens of spitfire pics and while the majority did keep the order unchanged, there were numerous examples of the reversal of the markings. I know it may seem like an obvious answer but just want to confirm my thinking.

At the time of the Munich Crisis in September 1938 national markings were toned down and unit markings removed. A two-letter combination, the ‘squadron code’ was introduced as a unit identifier. Because of the need for secrecy little documentation is available from that time. Air Ministry Order A154/39 dated 27th April 1939 stated that it had been decided to adopt a new system of identification throughout the service, that the system be adopted forthwith, and no other markings than those described in the document were permitted. It then specified the position and size of national and identification markings as well as listing the squadron codes allocated in an appendix. Instructions for code letters were:

Two letters to indicate number of squadron: Either forward or aft of the national marking on both sides of the fuselage. One letter to indicate individual aircraft: on the other side of the aircraft national marking on both sides of the fuselage. The letters were to be painted in grey 48 inches high and made of strokes 6 inches in width. Smaller letters only to be used when the space available on the fuselage makes such a course unavoidable.

In late August 1939, just before the outbreak of war, all squadron codes were changed to confuse German intelligence. The system remained in place throughout the war with only minor changes. During the early part of the war there are many variations in the size and style of the letters used. Later things became more standardised and it was most usual for the squadron codes to be forward of the roundel as there was more room. The aircraft’s individual letter was often painted under the nose of single engined aircraft and on the side or nose of multi-engined aircraft. Late in the war some squadrons had more than 26 aircraft allocated to them and so a bar was placed under the letter to indicate that it was the second use. Senior officers (Wing Commanders and Group Captains) quickly started a tradition of marking their personal aircraft with their initials, sometimes 3 letters or sometimes two letters.

Thanks very much antoni. I had a feeling a Brit would have the full story. And that would also explain the S under the nose of my Spit as well.

Antoni: were the codes in grey, as you say, or sky, as discussions on our own AMI forum have sometimes theorised?

Both grey and Sky were used depending on the period.

After the Battle of Britain the RAF increased its operations over the mainland Europe. The Green/Dark Earth/Sky camouflage (Day Fighter Scheme) used at the time was no longer found to be suitable for those operations. Experiments were carried out to find a better alternative and the Air Ministry issued orders that the new scheme be introduced gradually as and when convenient after the 15th August 1941. Ocean Grey replaced Dark Earth and Medium Sea Grey replaced Sky on the undersurfaces. Spinners were to be painted Sky and an 18 inch Sky band painted around the rear fuselage. Both for identification purposes. In addition a 4 inch yellow band was painted on outer wing leading edges to help pilots identify friend from foe while head-on. Squadron and individual letters were standardised at 24 inches and the colour changed to Sky (probably because MSG codes wouldn’t show up against Ocean Grey).

There were also other schemes for aircraft involved in other types of operations. Those flying at night had dull red codes and serial numbers although there was some confusion to begin with and grey was used for the codes on some aircraft for a while.