AIRCRAFT COLOURS AND MARKINGS OF THE FIRST WORLD WAR ERA

No.52 Sqn RFC/RAF


No.52 Sqn went to France in November 1916 equipped with the RE8. They were the first squadron to do so, and by February 1917 they had formed such a bad opinion of the type that they exchanged their RE8s for the BE2s of No.34 Sqn. No.34 had used a zigzag design on the BE2 and this remained on them when they were at No.52 Sqn. It would seem that No.52 Sqn retained the zigzag as they continued to use it when they were once again reissued RE8s in May 1917.
The BE2s seen here MAY have still been at No.34 Sqn as the date of the photo is unknown

 


RAF BE2e 2556


Source: LA Rogers


RAF BE2e 7086


Source: Harleyford
updated 2013

 


RAF RE8 A4267


Source: via LA Rogers

RAF RE8


Source: Windsock 24/3