AIRCRAFT COLOURS AND MARKINGS OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR ERA

No.141(HD) Sqn RFC/RAF


No.141(HD) Sqn was formed in January 1918 as a home defence squadron. Among their early aircraft were at least nine Sopwith Dolphins which were under evaluation for their value in the night-fighting role. By the end of March it had been determined that they were unacceptable as a night fighter and they were replaced by the Bristol F2b in early April.
Modifications for the nightfighting role usually included navigation lights on wing tips and rudder, underwing flare brackets and overpainting of the white in the national markings.
The Dolphin shown below is listed in various sources as serving with No.141 Sqn, however it is not among the nine known serials. Its first mention in the serial list is as rebuild in March 1918 and on its way to No.91 Sqn. To back up the claim to belong to No.141, another Dolphin which did serve there -C3901 - was photographed beside C3803 in similar markings, whether the red (or black) star was a unit marking is unknown.

 


Sopwith 5F1 Dolphin C3803

January-March 1918
Source: Dolphin Datafile


Sopwith 5F1 Dolphin C3813

No.141 Sqn RFC
March 1918
Source: RAFM/CCI Dolphin Book


Bristol F2b C923


Source: Bristol F2b Datafile