AIRCRAFT COLOURS AND MARKINGS OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR ERA

L'Aviation Militaire Belge


Belgium began WWI with two escadrilles in service, and another two forming. By 1916 there were six escadrilles at the front, and the decison was made to designate the 1eme and 5eme escadrilles as fighter units.More units continued to form and in early 1918, a reorganization took place in which the various units were renamed and/or designated for certain roles. The numbers 1 to 8 were now relegated to two-seaters, so 1eme became 9eme and 5eme became 10eme, with 11eme forming at this time.

1st Observation Sqn
DH9
2nd Observation Sqn - Seagull
Breguet 14 & Camel
3rd Observation Sqn - Holly Leaf
Breguet 14 & Camel
4th Observation Sqn - Zebra
SPAD XI
5th Observation Sqn - Swallow
Breguet 14
6th Observation Sqn - Bee
RE8, SPAD XI & Camel
7th Reconnaisance Sqn - Dragon
SPAD XI
8th Bombing Sqn - Owl in the moon
Farman F.61 & Sopwith 1A2
9th Fighter Sqn - Thistle
Hanriot HD1
10th Fighter Sqn - Comet
SPAD VII / XIII
11th Fighter Sqn - Paper Bird
Camel & Hanriot

My thanks to Brian Reddington-Wilde for sharing his research on Belgian markings. Besides his correspondence, the book "Blasons Familiers d'une Chevalerie Moderne - L'aviation Militaire Belge a travers ses insignes" is also responsible for much of the revised information in this section


 

10e Escadrille