AIRCRAFT COLOURS AND MARKINGS OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR ERA

No.23 Sqn RFC/RAF


No.23 Sqn was one of only two RFC squadrons to be entirely equipped with the SPAD, the other being No.19 Sqn. While equipped with the SPAD, their marking was a triangle. In late March 1918 their SPADs were replaced by Dolphins. These Dolphins came from No.87 Sqn which was still in the process of working up.
Upon receiving the Dolphin the marking became a white circle. Previously Dolphin C3905 with the letter C in a black circle was listed as being at No.23, however it is now known to have been with No.79 Sqn. Although the reason for the black circle is unknown, it had nothing to do with No.23 Sqn.

 


RAF FE2b 4852
Sgt B Irwin / 2/Lt FG Thury
September 1916
Source: via LA Rogers
updated 2013


RAF FE2b A5449
-
January 1917
Source: via LA Rogers


SPAD VII A6682
2/Lt FC Craig
April 1917
Source: LA Rogers &
Henshaw - TSTB



SPAD XIII B6850
Capt William Mays Fry
February 1918
Source: Fry - Air Of Battle


Sopwith 5F1 Dolphin C3824
Capt James W Pearson
1918
Source: Dolphin Datafile (No.54)

 


Sopwith 5F1 Dolphin C4147

May 1918
Source: via LA Rogers
Revised 2012

Sopwith 5F1 Dolphin C9138 (?)
Lt James W Pearson
Summer 1918
Source: via Joe Hutlak
Revised 2012

Sopwith 5F1 Dolphin D3669
Capt Arthur B Fairclough
June-July 1918
Source: Osprey Dolphin/Snipe Aces

Sopwith 5F1 Dolphin E4737
Lt Harry N Compton
Late 1918
Source: RAFM/CCI Dolphin Book