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