AIRCRAFT COLOURS AND MARKINGS OF THE FIRST
WORLD WAR ERA
Breguet Br14
In the closing days of WWI, three French escadrilles - BR39, BR59 and
BR66 - were redesignated as Polish squadrons. Later the French government
turned the surviving aircraft of these escadrilles over to the Poles.
BR39 became 16EW, BR59 became 12EW and BR66 became 4EW. All three squadrons
were disbanded by late 1920. Poland later ordered a further 70 BR14s and
these were issued to 1, 3, 8, 10, 12 and 16 Eskadras between 1920-21.
By 1924 the Br14 had been replaced in service.
Initially the Br14s wore five-colour camouflage and French markings.
These markings were gradually overpainted with the Polish checkerboard
markings various combinations of French and Polish markings can
be observed on the aircraft below. Later Br14s were dark green on all
uppersurfaces
During 'Zeligowski's revolt' in Lithuania in 1920-21, 16 EW was sent
as a fictional Lithuanian squadron, and their new markings consisted of
an amaranth square with white outline on left wing and white square with
amaranth outline on right. The rudder of these aircraft were also given
stripes in these colours.

Mixed French/Polish markings
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Polish Checkerboard
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'Lithuanian' markings
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Breguet Br14 A2
Source: Polski Samolot i Barwa
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Breguet Br14 A2 7244
May 1920
Source: via Steve Perry
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Breguet Br14 A2
December 1920
Source: via Steve Perry
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Breguet 14A2 7490
Mid 1919
Source: White Eagles |

Breguet 14B2 12344
Late 1919
Source: Samoloty Wojskowe w Polsce
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Breguet 14B2
Late 1919
Source: White Eagles
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Breguet 14B2
Late 1919
Source: Samoloty Wojskowe w Polsce
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