AIRCRAFT COLOURS AND MARKINGS OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR ERA

No.3(N)Sqn RNAS / No.203 Sqn RAF


Formed at Dunkerque in December 1916, Naval Three made use of ex-Naval Eight Sopwith Pups and pilots from No.3 Wing. From February until June they operated under RFC control, at the conclusion of which they reverted to RNAS control and acquired Camels. Returning to combat in the summer of 1917, they amassed an enviable record. During October 1917 they returned to England for a rest and during this period painted their aircraft in colourful markings as can be seen in Pierce's striped Camel.
Their unit marking was a white disc carried on the aft fuselage. During their RNAS days many wore the RNAS Eagle on the starboard side of the fuselage. Tonal values suggest coloured cowls, fins and fuselage bands. However exact colours are speculative.
Among the many 'names' serving in 3N/203 were Collishaw, Breadner, Little, Rochford, Beamish. Both Collishaw and Rochford wrote about their time at 3N/203, however I have yet to find a copy of Rochford's book.



Sopwith Pup N6183

Spring 1917
Source: C&C(GB) 19/1


Sopwith Pup N6179

Spring 1917
Source: Sopwith Pup Datafile Special



Sopwith Camel B3781
FSL JWP Amos
August 1917
Source: The Camel File

Sopwith Camel B3858
FSL E Pierce
Late 1917
Source: Camel - King of Combat


Sopwith Camel

Late 1917
Source: Camel - King of Combat

 


Sopwith Camel X--77

Late 1917
Source: C&C(GB)19/4

Sopwith Camel B6401
F/Cdr Leonard Rochford
February 1918
Source: Camel - King of Combat


Sopwith Camel B6242
FSL AB Ellwood
January / February 1918
Source: C&C(GB)19/4

 

 


Sopwith Camel B6845

February 1918
Source: Sopwith Camel Datafile

Sopwith Camel

February 1918
Source: C&C(GB)19/4


Sopwith Camel B3809

February 1918
Source: C&C(GB)20/2




Sopwith Camel B7275

April 1918
Source: Camel - King of Combat

Sopwith Camel B3855
Captain H F Beamish
Spring 1918
Source: C&C(GB)19/4


Sopwith Camel C61


Source: Camel - King of Combat

 

 


Sopwith Camel

Spring 1918
Source: C&C(GB) 19/4

Sopwith Camel


Source: Sopwith Camel Datafile


Sopwith Camel B6378
Captain Ronald Sykes
May 1918
Source: SK Taylor

 

 


Sopwith Camel D3417
Major Raymond Collishaw
July 1918
Source: Camel - King of Combat

Sopwith Camel D9638
Lt HW Skinner
October 1918
Source: RNAS Serials