AIRCRAFT COLOURS AND MARKINGS OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR ERA

'Z' Flight / No.139 Sqn RAF


No.139 Sqn was formed from 'Z' Flight which was a flight of Bristol F2bs used for long range reconnaissance on the Italian front. Arriving in Italy in March 1918 and initially attached to No.28 Sqn (Camels), they were soon transferred to No.34 Sqn (RE8s) were they remained until a second flight arrived in June, and on 3 July 'Z' Flight was retitled as No.139 Sqn RAF under the command of Captain AA Harcourt-Vernon. On 15 July WG Barker assumed command, which he held until 30 September when Capt Dalrymple took over until the arrival of Major H H Kitchener.
Z Flight had used two bands around the fuselage as their marking and this was continued on their Bristols when they became No.139 Sqn. After Barker assumed command he added these stripes to his Camel, and then expanded them to four white and three black and ultimately 7/6 on his Camel, while the Bristols had 13/12 respectively.
While at No.139 Sqn, Barker kept his 'personal' Camel, B6313, which had served him at Nos. 28, 45 and 66 sqns, and which ultimately became the aircraft in which the most victories of any one pilot were claimed.

 


Bristol F2b D8078

Summer 1918
Source: LA Rogers


Bristol F2b D8063

Summer 1918
Source:

 


Sopwith Camel B6313
Maj W G Barker
Summer 1918
Source: Camel - King of Combat

Bristol F2b E2285
Capt Hursthouse / Lt Smith
Summer 1918
Source:


Sopwith Camel B6313
Maj W G Barker
September 1918
Source: Camel - King of Combat

 


Bristol F2b D8084
Capt Sydney Dalrymple
September 1918
Source: Bristol F2b - King of Two-Seaters

Bristol F2b E2187

December 1918
Source: F2B Datafile Special 1