AIRCRAFT COLOURS AND MARKINGS OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR ERA

No.9(N)Sqn RNAS / No.209 Sqn RAF


Naval Nine was formed at St.Pol in February 1917 and was originally equipped with Sopwith Pups, Triplanes and Nieuports. By June these had been replaced by Triplanes and the squadron was placed under RFC control. Camels arrived during August and from September until January 1918, they operated these along the channel. They then returned to England for a rest. In March 1918, they returned to France. . Following the amalgamation with the RFC Naval Nine became No.209 Sqn RAF.
In common with other RNAS units, Naval Nine carried colourful markings. In their case these were red or blue noses plus various geometric shapes on fuselage and upperwing centre sections. A Flight carried a cutout of the popular music hall comedian George Robey on the fin of their aircraft - eventually I will redo this one.
The official markings upon becoming an RAF squadron were three vertical stripes on the fuselage. One interesting feature is the lack of a roundel on the fuselage of the 209 Camels. I have been informed that photos exist showing the reason for this anomoly. ... they were being repainted when the official photographer came around to document the victors of the Richthofen fight.
I have 1000 pages of Naval Nine's records, and hope to be able to go through them in the future with the aim of an article on Naval Nine. Therefore I am interested in any photos of pilots or aircraft belonging to them.



Sowith Triplane N5459
FSL O LeBoutillier
June 1917
Source: Osprey Triplane Aces


Sopwith Camel
FSL H Stackard
August 1917
Source: Camel - King of Combat

 

 


Sopwith Camel B3881
FSL E Pierce
August 1917
Source: Camel - King of Combat

Sopwith Camel B6320
FSL Banbury
October 1917
Source: Camel - King of Combat


Sopwith Camel B3905
FSL Narbeth

Source: Camel - King of Combat

 

 


Sopwith Camel


Source: Camel - King of Combat

Sopwith Camel B5749

Early 1918
Source: Camel - King of Combat


Sopwith Camel B3894


Source: JMB/GSL

 

 


Sopwith Camel B7270
Captain A R Brown
April 1918
Source:

Sopwith Camel H7000

April 1918
Source: Camel - King of Combat

Sopwith Camel D3858
Capt Oliver LeBoutillier
April 1918
Source: Aerodrome Modeler 4/1

Sopwith Camel H7009


Source: Sopwith Camel Datafile