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. |
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