View source for Royal Air Force roundels

{{Short description|Aircraft identification marks of the UK defence forces}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{EngvarB|date=May 2019}}
[[File:RAF roundel.svg|thumb|RAF roundel]]
The air forces of the United Kingdom – the [[Royal Navy]]'s [[Fleet Air Arm]], the Army's [[Army Air Corps (United Kingdom)|Army Air Corps]] and the [[Royal Air Force]] use a [[roundel]], a [[Circle|circular]] identification mark, painted on [[aircraft]] to identify them to other aircraft and ground forces. In one form or another, it has been used on British military aircraft [[Military aircraft insignia#United Kingdom in the First World War|from 1915]] to the present.
==Background==
[[File:Bristol Scout C British First World War fighter biplane drawing in RNAS markings.jpg|thumb|right|RNAS Bristol Scout C, with 1914/15-style red-ring style wing roundels]]
When the [[First World War]] started in 1914 it was the habit of ground troops to fire on all aircraft, friend or foe, so that the need for some form of identification mark became evident.<ref name="robertson89">Robertson 1967, p 89</ref> At first the [[Union Flag]] was painted under the wings and on the sides of the fuselage. It soon became obvious that at a distance the [[St George's Cross]] of the Union Flag was likely to be confused with the [[Iron Cross]] that was already being used to identify [[German Empire|German]] aircraft. After the use of a Union Flag inside a shield was tried it was decided to follow the lead of the French who used a [[Cockade of France|tricolour cockade]] (a roundel of red and white with a blue centre). The British reversed the colours and it became the standard marking on [[Royal Flying Corps]] aircraft from 11 December 1914,<ref name="robertson89" /> although it was well into 1915 before the new marking was used with complete consistency.
The official order stated:
{{quote|All aeroplanes of the RFC to be marked on the underside and on the rudder with concentric circles similar to those on the French machines but with the colours reversed, that is with a red circle inside a blue ring. The circles to be as large as possible. In addition a Union Jack {{cvt|2|ft}} x {{cvt|1|ft|6|in}} will be painted on the wing tips outside the circles.{{cn|date=November 2021}}}}
The [[Royal Naval Air Service]] specified in A.I.D. SK. No. A78 a five-foot red ring with a white centre and a thin white outline on the lower surfaces of the lower wings at mid span, from October 1914 until it was decided to standardise on the RFC roundel for all British military aircraft in June 1915.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Huntley|first1=Ian|title=The Admiralty Red Ring Controversy – some early references to the RNAS roundel of 1914|journal=Scale Aircraft Modelling|year=1980|issue=January|pages=184–186}}</ref>
With the same roundel being carried by RFC and RNAS aircraft, the use of the Union Jack was discontinued.<ref name="robertson89" /> The Royal Flying Corps and its successor the Royal Air Force have employed numerous versions of the roundel since then.
By 1917, a thin white outline was usually added to the roundel, to make the blue of the outer circle easier to distinguish from the dark PC.10 and PC.12 protective dope. On squadrons operating at night there was not the same need to make the marking more conspicuous, indeed it became customary to overpaint the white ring of the roundel itself, either in the camouflage finish of the aircraft as a whole, or in red. By the end of the war this had become standardised as the so-called "night roundel" of blue and red, which continued to be used on the dark [[NIVO]] green camouflage of post-war night bombers. Most RAF aircraft now had a silver finish (either bare metal or aluminium dope) so that the national markings were conspicuous enough without outlining. During the late 1930s RAF and [[Fleet Air Arm]] (FAA) aircraft were once again camouflaged, and a new outline was introduced, this time trainer yellow, and the same width as the blue and white rings.
==Use by other air arms==
Aside from the RAF, the Royal Navy's [[Royal Naval Air Service]] (First World War) and later the [[Fleet Air Arm]] as well as the air elements of the [[British Army]] all adopted the same roundels.
Many nations which had been within the [[British Empire]] and [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] continued to use British roundels despite having achieved independence, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and India until nationalism demanded unique roundels for each of those countries.
South Africa experimented with [[:File:South African Air Force roundel early 1920.svg|the four flag colours]] briefly, but then reverted to the RAF roundel but replaced the [[:File:Roundel of South Africa (1927-1947).svg|red with orange]], and then the dot with a [[:File:Roundel of South Africa (1947-1958).svg|Springbok]]  before replacing the disk with a [[:File:Roundel of South Africa (1958-1981).svg|five pointed castle]].
In Canada, the [[Royal Canadian Air Force]] changed the red dot into a  [[:File:Roundel of the Royal Canadian Air Force (1946-1965).svg|silver maple leaf]], while the Royal Canadian Navy adopted the [[:File:Roundel of the Royal Canadian Navy (Type 1).svg|sugar maple leaf]] and both were replaced with a [[:File:Roundel of Canada.svg|geometric stylized leaf]].
Australia changed the red dot to a [[:File:Royal Australian Air Force roundel.png|kangaroo]] (both standing and running were proposed before the running variant won out) and New Zealand experimented with gold, green and white ferns inset in the red dot before settling on a [[:File:Roundel of New Zealand.svg|red kiwi]].
India briefly replaced the SEAC roundel (blue on blue) with a blue and white [[chakra]], before adopting an [[:File:Roundel of India.svg|orange, white and green roundel]].<ref>[http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/in%5Eaf.html Flags of the World: Indian Air Force Flags]</ref>
[[Southern Rhodesia]], the [[Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland]] and Rhodesia used variations on the British roundel featuring ''[[assegai]]s'' before adopting a green ring with a lion and tusk on a white centre in 1970.
==Roundel history==
The use of letters (A, B, C, D) to denote different versions of roundels does not come from official documents, but rather from attempts by historians in the 1950s to catalogue the various roundels being used. Official documents instead provided dimensions in inches. Since most sources now use this nomenclature it has been included here.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|class="noresize"|[[File:RAF type A roundel pre1929.svg|frameless|upright=.25|center]]
| style="text-align:center;"|Ratio<br />1:3:5
|Type A||On all light-coloured surfaces 1915 to late 1929, and on dark surfaces with a 2-inch white border (similar to later type A2) on camouflaged surfaces 1915–1919. Colours used were to VB and VR specifications (with a number from 1 to 5 defining exactly which spec), colours did not change much however early versions were prone to fading.<ref name="robertson89" /> Prior to the introduction of the Type B night roundel, aircraft used on night operations had the white overpainted with the prevailing camouflage colour which was usually PC.10 or black. Due to the effect of orthochromatic film – the most widely available film during [[World War I]] and onwards through the early [[World War II]] years – [[Orthochromasia#Orthochromatic photography|rendering the blue very pale, and the red very dark in photographs]], historians in the 1950s and 1960s incorrectly believed a white ring roundel had been used on home defence aircraft.
|-
|[[File:RAF type A roundel.svg|frameless|upright=.25|center]]
| style="text-align:center;"|Ratio<br />1:3:5
|Type A||Used after late 1929 when colours were increased in saturation until replaced by Type B during summer 1938. Official names of colours changed to "identification red" and "identification blue". As on the earlier Type A roundel, a white border was sometimes used, mainly on flying boats and some prototypes from 1923 to 1937 even when the aircraft was doped silver.<ref name="robertson89" />
|-
|[[File:RAF Type A Roundel (ww2).svg|frameless|upright=.25|center]]
| style="text-align:center;"|Ratio<br />1:3:5
|Type A||Duller colours (referred to as "identification red (dull)" and "identification blue (dull)" in official orders), used with Type A.1 during WWII but on light surfaces, primarily under the wings of fighters until replaced by Type C in June 1942<ref name="Colour Shift">{{cite book|last=Franks|first=Richard|title=The Avro Lancaster, Manchester and Lincoln - A Comprehensive guide for the modeller|publisher=SAM Publications|location=Bedford, United Kingdom|series=SAM Modellers Datafiles|year=2000|isbn=0-9533465-3-6}}</ref><ref>ID red (dull) referred in some sources as "brick red" which is confirmed by colour photos.</ref>
|-
|[[File:RAF type A1 roundel.svg|frameless|upright=.25|center]]
| style="text-align:center;"|Ratio<br />1:3:5:7
|Type A.1||On all camouflaged surfaces 1937 – March 1939 (e.g.: [[Supermarine Spitfire]]); on fuselage sides 1939 to replacement by type C.1, July 1942.<ref name="Colour Shift" /> On some night bombers the white was overpainted with black to reduce visibility. Also used with bright pre-war colours, especially on trainers.  The [[chrome yellow]] outermost ring on this roundel variation was usually picked up [[Orthochromasia|by orthochromatic film]] in photos as a shade of dark grey, nearly as dark as the central red circle would be. Also used as ground vehicle markings in the UK, Middle East, North Africa and Italy from January 1942 to mid-1943 as air recognition signs.
|-
|[[File:RAF type A2 roundel.svg|frameless|upright=.25|center]]
| style="text-align:center;"|Ratio<br />approx.<br />1:3:5:6
|Type A.2||Outer yellow ring is thicker than used during WWI. Alternative to A.1 on some aircraft 1940 – 1942, including the [[Grumman F4F|Grumman Martlet]] as received from the factory, indicating that it was likely official despite the lack of orders describing it.<ref name="Colour Shift" />  Also used as ground vehicle markings in the UK, Middle East, North Africa and Italy from January 1942 to mid-1943 as air recognition signs.
|-
|[[File:RAF Type B Roundel.svg|frameless|upright=.25|center]]
| style="text-align:center;"|Ratio<br />2:5
|Type B||On some night flying aircraft, especially heavy bombers, 1918 – 1919. (Known at this time as the "night roundel"). On all surfaces of [[NIVO]]-coloured night bombers from 1923 until NIVO phased out; Used on camouflaged aircraft in all positions from Summer 1938 until superseded by Type A.1 roundels. Used on upper surfaces of many aircraft until 1947. On fuselage sides and upper wings of overall [[Air_Force_blue#Air_superiority_blue.2FPRU_blue|PRU blue]] photo-reconnaissance aircraft 1940 – 1944 (e.g.: [[photo-reconnaissance]] Spitfires) and aircraft with "high altitude" camouflage (e.g.: [[de Havilland Hornet]]) 1944 – 1947.<ref name="Colour Shift" /><ref>Colours were VNR.5 & VNB.6 in 1927, identification red and blue (dull) (usually) after 1929</ref>
|-
|[[File:RAF type B1 roundel.svg|frameless|upright=.25|center]]
| style="text-align:center;"|Ratio<br />2:5:8
|Type B.1||On some aircraft March – December 1939. Used on fuselage sides of some night-flying aircraft (bombers, e.g. [[Vickers Wellington]]; night fighters, e.g., [[Boulton Paul Defiant]]) late 1940 – mid-1942. Often type B with additional yellow ring (proportions do not match Type A).<ref name="Colour Shift" />
|-
|[[File:RAF type C roundel.svg|frameless|upright=.25|center]]
| style="text-align:center;"|Ratio<br />3:4:8
|Type C||On light surfaces July 1942 – 1947; not used on upper surfaces 1942–1945.<ref name="Colour Shift" />
|-
|[[File:RAF type C1 roundel.svg|frameless|upright=.25|center]]
| style="text-align:center;"|Ratio<br />3:4:8:9
|Type C.1||On dark surfaces except upper surfaces July 1942 – January 1945; upper wings and fuselage sides of all [[Second Tactical Air Force]] (2 TAF) bombers and photo-reconnaissance Spitfires, January 1945 to early 1947. Upper and lower wings and fuselage sides of 2 TAF fighters (e.g.: [[Hawker Tempest]]) January 1945 to early 1947.<ref name="Colour Shift" />
|-
|[[File:RAF Type C1 Roundel SEAC.svg|frameless|upright=.25|center]]
| style="text-align:center;"|Ratio<br />4:8:9
|(SEAC)||Used by units under [[South East Asia Command]] and in the [[China Burma India]] (CBI) theatre in 1942. Red removed to avoid confusion with the Japanese ''[[hinomaru]]'', but retained on fin flash. Not used for very long before being replaced by light blue and dark blue roundel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://asisbiz.com/il2/P-36/P-36A-RAF-155Sqn-F-BT470/pages/P-36A-RAF-155Sqn-B-BS798-India-1943-01.html|title=P-36A RAF 155Sqn B BS798 India 1943-01|author=Asisbiz|date=12 March 2012|access-date=24 June 2012}}</ref>
A blue/white roundel, sometimes with US-style white bars, was also used on [[Fleet Air Arm]] aircraft<ref name="ipms-reno">{{cite web|url=http://www.renohighrollers.com/images/British%20Roundels.pdf|title=British Roundels|last=Schenfeld|first=C. P.|work=renohighrollers.com|publisher=[[International Plastic Modellers' Society|IPMS]] Reno|access-date=7 January 2010}}</ref><ref name="rotw">{{cite web|url=http://cocardes.monde.online.fr/v2html/en/pays/royaume_uni.html|title=Roundels of the World: United Kingdom|date=4 November 2006|work=cocardes.monde.online.fr|access-date=7 January 2010}}</ref> Blue/white roundels were also used by the [[Royal Australian Air Force]] (RAAF), which simply over-painted the red dot in white, regardless of previous proportions.
|-
|[[File:RAF Far East Command roundel.svg|frameless|upright=.25|center]]
| style="text-align:center;"|Ratio<br />2:5
|(SEAC)||Used by units under [[South East Asia Command]] and in the CBI theatre mid-1942 – 1946. Red removed to avoid confusion with Japanese ''hinomaru''. Initially red was overpainted with white but this compromised the camouflage and the normal roundel blue was mixed 50:50 with white. Many aircraft in the CBI theatre used roundels and fin flashes of approximately half the normal dimensions.
|-
|[[File:RAF roundel.svg|frameless|upright=.25|center]]
| style="text-align:center;"|Ratio<br />1:2:3
|Type D||On all surfaces from June 1947 to this day, with similar proportions to the current roundel of the French [[Armee de l'Air]]. Colours reverted to Bright Identification colours but were matched to a new British Standard colour chart so colours were different from prewar bright colours. Note the different proportions from the Type A. The Type D was first used on ground equipment, including jeeps, and with a yellow outline on rescue launches.
|-
|[[File:RAF roundel D pale.svg|frameless|upright=.25|center]]
| style="text-align:center;"|Ratio<br />1:2:3
|Type D pale||A pale 'faded' version of the Type D. This was sometimes used when applied over [[anti-flash white]]. An intermediate (less faded) pale version was applied to some [[Vickers Valiant]]s prior to the introduction of the definitive Type D 'faded' shading.
|-
|[[File:RAF Lowvis Army roundel.svg|frameless|upright=.25|center]]
| style="text-align:center;"|Ratio<br />1:2
|Low-visibility||Low-visibility roundel used on camouflaged aircraft since the 1970s (different proportions from Type B).
|-
|[[File:RAF roundel LV pale.svg|frameless|upright=.25|center]]
| style="text-align:center;"|Ratio<br />1:2
|Low-visibility||Low-visibility roundel used in conjunction with air superiority grey schemes since the 1980s. Colours are known as "salmon pink" and "baby blue".
|-
|[[File:RAF roundel lo-vis Lightning 2.svg|frameless|upright=.25|center]]
| style="text-align:center;"|Ratio<br />1:2
|Low-visibility||Low-visibility roundel used on the [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II]], with the centre being the same grey as the airframe. Unlike previous roundels, they are created in the manufacturing process of the airframe rather than painted on.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.airspacemag.com/daily-planet/five-things-you-didnt-know-about-raf-180969686/ |title=Five Things You Didn't Know About the RAF |last=Maskell |first=Rebecca |date=20 July 2018 |website=Air & Space Smithsonian |publisher=Smithsonian Institution |access-date=1 January 2021 }}</ref>
|}
==Roundel sizes==
===Pre-war===
Up until mid-1938, roundel sizes tended to vary widely, depending on the type of aircraft; the exception to the use of type A roundels for all aircraft was seen on the overall [[NIVO]] (a dark grey-green finish with a sheen) painted night bombers (e.g., [[Handley Page Heyford]]s) which used type B roundels. Roundels used on aircraft painted in NIVO were duller than the normal colours. The size of the roundel was generally determined by the space available at the specified location, with a space of several inches around the edges. Some aircraft – primarily seaplanes, had a white outline around the fuselage roundel, even on silver doped finishes however this application was inconsistent so was probably not official. From 1929, the RAF switched to a new system of colour specifications, discarding the one used since the First World War, and as a result, the colour used for insignia changed, however the changeover period appears to have extended until at least 1932 for new production, and the old colours were not overpainted, but only gradually phased out as aircraft needed to be repainted.
During the [[Munich Agreement|Munich crisis]] of mid- to late 1938, most RAF aircraft adopted green and dark earth camouflage with type B roundels of reduced sizes on all upper surfaces and the fuselage sides; though based on colour photos, these remained in the bright pre-war colours. FAA aircraft largely remained silver doped overall with type A roundels predominating. To illustrate the progression up to the end of the war the Spitfire will be used as a typical single seat-single engine fighter:
1938 – November 1939: The first production batches of Spitfires ([[United Kingdom military aircraft registration number|aircraft registrations]] K9787-K9814) were built with {{Convert|37.8|in|cm}} roundels on the fuselage sides-these were centred {{cvt|39|in}} aft of the rear edge of the cockpit door. {{convert|56|in|cm}} type A1s were on the upper wings. From K9815, the fuselage roundels were moved back, to be centred {{convert|53|in|cm}} aft of the cockpit door and {{convert|6|in|cm}} above the main longeron, and reduced in diameter to {{convert|35|in|cm}} type A1. This position for the fuselage roundel was subsequently standard on all Supermarine and Westland built Spitfires and Seafires. The first 180 or so built (K9787–K9960) also had factory applied {{convert|50|in|cm}} type A roundels under the wings. After K9960, there were ''no factory applied'' under-wing roundels until December 1940. With the change to type B roundels Spitfires built with type A.1 roundels had were repainted by the squadrons creating a plethora of sizes and proportions.
Between K9961 and N3032, the factory paint scheme required {{convert|15|in|cm}} type B roundels on the fuselage sides and a {{convert|31.2|in|cm}} roundel with a {{convert|10|in|cm}} red centre on the upper wings. From N3033–P9374, it was intended that {{convert|25|in|cm}} type B fuselage roundels would be used, although few Spitfires saw service with roundels of this size.<ref name="Hooton, 1982">Hooton, 1982.</ref>
Most RAF aircraft went through similar transitions, as a result of which there was little conformity, depending on when the aircraft was built and how squadrons over painted or repainted the roundels.
===Second World War===
By the beginning of the [[World War II|Second World War]] on 3 September 1939, RAF roundel sizes started to show more conformity.  On 30 October, all commands were ordered to change upper wing surface Type B roundels to Type A. Further instructions ordered all but fighters and night bombers to have Type A under the wing tips. This was clarified in November to the effect that only reconnaissance maritime aircraft (e.g., [[Short Sunderland]] flying boats) would have the Type A on the upper wings but all aircraft would use the Type B on the sides.<ref>Shacklady, E ''Hawker Hurricane'' 2000 Tempus p.137</ref>
A decision was made to make roundels more conspicuous and, in May 1940, the yellow outer ring was ordered to be added back to fuselage sides (along with red, white, and blue stripes on the fin). Where possible, the yellow should be the same width as the blue, but on Spitfires with their narrower fuselages a thinner ring was acceptable. Also in May, an order was made to put red, white, and blue roundels on the underwings of all fighters, with an addendum that where the roundel was on a black background it should be outlined in yellow. In June, orders were given for the half black/half-white underwing scheme to be replaced by "sky"<ref>described as "colour of an average sky over the British Isles" at 10,000 ft</ref> Underwing roundels were dispensed with until August when they were ordered back.<ref>Shacklady p139-140.</ref>
Because of the pressures of front-line service there were always exceptions to the standards set by the RAF and that deadlines were not necessarily met. Although type C and C.1 roundels were meant to be in use by July 1942 some Spitfires displayed type A and A1 roundels as late as October:
*Late November/early December 1939 to June 1940: All Spitfire units were instructed to replace the type B fuselage roundels with type A roundels. This led to fuselage roundels which varied in size from {{convert|25|in|cm}} to {{convert|30|in|cm}}. Upper wings had been set at {{convert|55|in|cm}}<ref>Note: Although most sources say {{cvt|56|in}}, research has shown that {{cvt|55|in}} was the correct size. Hooton, 1982.</ref> Type B with {{convert|22|in|cm}} red centres until January 1945; Fuselage sides: {{convert|35|in|cm}} type A; no fin flash; no underwing roundels.<ref name="Hooton, 1982"/>
*June 1940 to December 1940: Spitfires with the {{convert|35|in|cm}} type A fuselage roundels had a yellow outer ring added, making them {{convert|49|in|cm}} Type A1. All Spitfires built from June had standardised {{convert|35|in|cm}} fuselage roundels, although many had non-standard {{convert|7|in|cm}} red centres applied at the Supermarine factory, instead of the specified {{convert|5|in|cm}}. All [[Castle Bromwich]] built Spitfires had roundels with the correct {{cvt|5|in}} centre spot; in addition all Castle Bromwich built Spitfires had the roundels centred {{convert|52.25|in|cm}} aft of the cockpit door and {{convert|7.5|in|cm}} above the main [[longeron]]. As many Spitfires as possible had type A roundels painted under the wings, along with a pale green/blue camouflage colour. The under wing roundels varied widely in size and location depending on which Maintenance Unit (MU) prepared the aircraft before delivery to the squadrons. The Spitfire 1a of 19 Squadron shown in photo 5 has {{convert|25|in|cm}} Type A under the wingtips, indicating it may have been processed by 6 MU.<ref name="Hooton, 1982"/><ref>Note: Serial listings show this to be so. [http://www.spitfires.ukf.net/p015.htm X4744] Retrieved 26 September 2008.</ref> Fin flashes were painted on starting in late May 1940. These varied in size although they were mostly {{convert|21|in|cm}} wide, divided in three red, white, and blue strips, and covered the full height of the tail fin.
* December 1940 to July 1942: {{convert|35|in|cm}} type A1 fuselage roundels, {{convert|50|in|cm}} type A on lower wings. Fin flash standardised at {{convert|27|in|cm}} high and {{convert|24|in|cm}} wide, equally divided into three {{convert|8|in|cm}} stripes.
*July 1942 to January 1945: {{convert|36|in|cm}} type C1 fuselage roundels. {{convert|32|in|cm}} type C lower wing roundels. Fin flash {{convert|24|in|cm}} square with stripe widths of {{convert|11|in|cm}}, {{convert|2|in|cm}} and {{convert|11|in|cm}}.<ref name="Bowyer, 1970">Bowyer, 1970.</ref>
*January 1945 to June 1947: On all [[RAF Second Tactical Air Force|2 TAF]] aircraft Type B upper wing roundels were either converted to {{convert|55|in|cm}} type C1 roundels or over-painted and {{convert|36|in|cm}} type C1 roundels painted on. Under wing roundels were converted to {{convert|36|in|cm}} type C1. The proportions of the rings and centre spot could vary depending on the skill of the painters carrying out the conversion.
Although the Spitfire is used as one example, because it was one of the few British aircraft to see front-line service before, during and after the Second World War, other aircraft types went through similar transitions. During the transition from A type to C type roundels some [[Hawker Typhoon]]s displayed {{convert|42|in|cm}} type C1 roundels which were modified from type A1s.
After June 1940 the official sizes for roundels were:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|class="noresize"|[[File:RAF Type A Roundel (ww2).svg|frameless|upright=.25|center]]
|Type&nbsp;A|| From June 1940: Single and twin engine fighters, light and medium bombers, dimensions could vary but generally {{cvt|50|in}} for lower wings.
|-
|[[File:RAF type A1 roundel.svg|frameless|upright=.25|center]]
|Type&nbsp;A.1|| From June 1940: Single and twin engine fighters, light and medium bombers {{cvt|35|in}}. Exceptions: Hawker Typhoon {{cvt|42|in}}, [[Westland Whirlwind (fighter)|Westland Whirlwind]] {{cvt|28|in}}. Heavy bombers, transport aircraft {{cvt|49|in}}.
|-
|[[File:RAF type C roundel.svg|frameless|upright=.25|center]]
|Type&nbsp;C|| From July 1942: Single and twin engine fighters, {{cvt|32|in}}. Not used on Night Bombers or de Havilland Mosquitoes.
|-
|[[File:RAF type C1 roundel.svg|frameless|upright=.25|center]]
|Type&nbsp;C.1|| From July 1942: Single and twin engine fighters, light and medium bombers, [[General Aircraft Hotspur]] and [[General Aircraft Hamilcar|Hamilcar]] gliders, {{cvt|36|in}}. Some night intruder Hurricanes and Spitfires had {{convert|18|in|cm}} type C1 fuselage roundels in 1942. Heavy bombers, transport aircraft {{cvt|54|in}}.
|}
Many variations could be seen because of the problems involved in interpreting instructions or repainting aircraft in front-line service, but most production aircraft conformed to these basic dimensions.
====SEAC and RAAF====
[[File:Avro Vulcans at RAF Cottesmore 1975.jpg|thumb|Type D roundels on [[Avro Vulcan]]s of [[No. 617 Squadron RAF|No 617 Squadron]] at [[RAF Cottesmore]], c. 1975.]]
In the China/Burma/India (CBI) theatre and Pacific it was thought that the red centres of RAF roundels could be confused with the red ''[[hinomaru]]'' carried by Japanese aircraft. After an RAAF No. 11 Squadron [[Consolidated PBY Catalina|Catalina]] was mistaken for a Japanese aircraft by a [[Grumman F4F Wildcat|US Navy Wildcat]] in the Pacific Theatre<ref>{{cite web|title=Air Force Roundel|publisher=[[Department of Defence (Australia)|Australian Department of Defence]]|url=http://www.airforce.gov.au/AboutUs/roundel.aspx|access-date=21 October 2010}}</ref> and attacked, the roundels on RAAF were modified, mostly in the field, by painting over the red with white. Often the yellow outer rings of type A1 roundels were left intact. No British or American built aircraft had factory painted SEAC style roundels; all aircraft had to be repainted, and, in many cases re-camouflaged by Maintenance Units behind the lines or by front line squadrons.
When [[Supermarine Spitfire variants|Spitfire Mk VCs]] reached the CBI Theatre in November 1943 their type B, C and C1 roundels were all modified by painting out the red centre spots in white, the red of the fin flash was similarly painted over. When the Mk VIIIs arrived in early 1944 most of them had their roundels overpainted completely and replaced by {{convert|16|in|cm}} diameter SEAC roundels with light blue centre spots (a mix of dull roundel blue and white) of approximately {{convert|7|in|cm}} diameter. The fin flashes were replaced by {{convert|24|in|cm}} high by {{convert|16|in|cm}} wide versions, each light blue (leading edge) and roundel blue stripe being {{convert|8|in|cm}} wide.
[[Supermarine Spitfire (early Merlin powered variants)#Mk V (Types 331, 349 & 352)|Mk VC Spitfires]] used by the [[Royal Australian Air Force]] over Northern Australia in October 1943 had their 36-inch type C1 fuselage roundels modified to  {{convert|32|in|cm}} SEAC roundels by painting out the yellow outer ring in the camouflage colours and over-painting the red centre in white. The lower wing type C roundels and upper wing type Bs were also modified by over-painting the red centres in white. The red fin stripe was also painted out with white and, in many cases the blue was extended forward {{cvt|1|in}} making equal widths of {{convert|12|in|cm}}. RAAF Mk VIIIs had their roundels and fin flashes modified in the same ways, although some had their {{convert|55|in|cm}} upper wing roundels overpainted and replaced with {{convert|32|in|cm}} SEAC roundels.
==Fin flash==
[[File:RAF-Finflash-Noncombat.svg|left|thumb|upright=.5]]
[[File:UKMilitarySerial-XM607.jpg|thumb|right|[[Avro Vulcan]] ''[[Serial number|XM607]]'' with the low-visibility fin flash]]
[[File:Raf victor in 1961 arp.jpg|thumb|right|[[Handley Page Victor]] circa 1961 in anti-flash white with the pale fin flash.]]
[[File:B-24 Liberators at low altitude (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|USAAF aircraft with RAF fin flashes]]
All current Royal Air Force aircraft carry a flash on the [[vertical stabilizer|fin]]. This is either red/white/blue, or red/blue, the latter normally being used on camouflaged aircraft, with the red stripe forward. Aircraft painted [[anti-flash white]] in the nuclear strike role had a pale pink and blue flash, the same shades as the roundels, to reflect some of the [[effects of nuclear explosions|thermal radiation]] from a nuclear explosion.
The Royal Navy and Army do not use the fin flash but have the words ''ROYAL NAVY'' or ''ARMY'' on the rear fuselage or fin instead. An exception to this was the [[BAE Harrier II|Harrier]] GR7s and GR9s of the [[Naval Strike Wing]], which carried similar markings to RAF Harriers. The fin flash can be rectangular, slanted or tapered, depending on aircraft type.
In a situation similar to that of the roundels, the fin flash was also shared with the air forces of Australia and New Zealand.
The fin flash evolved from the [[Rudder#Aircraft rudders|rudder]] stripes painted on the rudders of early [[Royal Flying Corps|RFC]] and [[Royal Air Force|RAF]] aircraft during the [[First World War]], the markings being blue, white and red vertical stripes  on the rudder. The fin flash of RNAS, RFC and RAF aircraft of the First World War was applied with the blue stripe forward. This orientation continued through to the late 1920s when it was reversed to have the red stripe forward in the order used through WW2 up to the present day. When applied to night bomber aircraft the red/blue fin flash was also blue forward through this period.
With the performance of aircraft increasing considerably during the 1930s, the practice of applying painted markings onto the (then manually powered) [[Aircraft flight control systems|control surface]]s was generally discontinued because of the need to rebalance the controls – failure to do this could have adverse effects on the surface's  balance, possibly leading to [[Wing flutter|flutter]] of the control surface at high [[airspeed]]s. It was for the same reason that the positioning of the wing roundels was revised so that they no longer encroached upon the [[ailerons]].
In an attempt to conform to the appearance of French military aircraft, rudder stripes reappeared on aircraft (mainly [[Fairey Battle]]s and [[Hawker Hurricane]]s) of the RAF based in France, starting in early September 1939. These stripes were painted in standard RAF colours in the order blue, white, red.
Fin flashes were officially adopted in June 1940. For the first six months there was no conformity in the width or height of the stripes and they were painted to cover as much of the fin area as possible. With occasional exceptions the order was red (leading edge), white, blue. In December 1940 type A fin flashes were standardised with a height of {{cvt|27|in}}, and an overall width of {{cvt|24|in}}, divided into three {{convert|8|in}} red, white and blue stripes (e.g.: photo six, the Sea Hurricanes show this standardised fin flash). On some aircraft, e.g.; [[Supermarine Spitfire variants|photo reconnaissance Spitfires]] the fin flash was about half these dimensions.
In July 1942, with the adoption of the type C and C1 roundels the fin flash became a {{convert|24|in|cm}} square for RAF fighters, the stripe widths becoming  {{convert|11|in|cm}}  red, {{convert|2|in|cm}} white and {{convert|11|in|cm}} blue.<ref name="Bowyer, 1970"/> There were some exceptions; RAF [[North American Mustang]]s all used fin flashes which were  {{convert|27|in|cm}} high by  {{convert|24|in|cm}} wide. In early 1944 some aircraft types were painted in a "High-altitude" camouflage scheme and adopted type B roundels and fin flashes.
The then-current RAF fin flashes were also adopted for [[USAAF]] aircraft operating alongside British and Commonwealth forces in the [[Mediterranean, Middle East and African theatres of World War II|Mediterranean theatre]] in 1942, appearing on US [[Curtiss P-40 Warhawk]] fighters and [[North American B-25 Mitchell]] bombers, as well as on USAAF [[Consolidated B-24 Liberator]]s flying from North Africa on attacks such as 1943's [[Operation Tidal Wave]].
==Colours==
Roundel and fin-flash colours changed several times during the [[First World War]] because of severe problems with [[fading]]. The third standard (VB3 and VR3) would be used until the early 1930s when much brighter colours replaced the red and blue at the same time that rudder stripes were omitted. The red and blue were both duller and less saturated than later versions and varied considerably as paint was usually mixed locally. The actual switchover began in 1929 but new aircraft were still being delivered in 1932 with the earlier colours.
For the period from the early 1930s until 1938, Roundel Red was close to [[Federal Standard 595|FS 595]] 21136 and the Roundel Blue was slightly lighter and brighter than [[Federal Standard 595|FS 595]] 15056. Trainer Yellow was close to [[Federal Standard 595|FS 595]] 23538.
Photo 2, a restored [[Bristol F.2 Fighter]] is a fairly good representation of the late interwar colours. On fabric covered aircraft these were glossy (as was the general finish) until dulled with age, even during the [[First World War]].
In 1938, with the threat of war looming, new markings colours were introduced along with camouflage. The blue was darker, becoming similar to [[Federal Standard 595|FS 595]] 25050 while the red became a slightly brownish brick-red, about [[Federal Standard 595|FS 595]] 20109. The trainer yellow stayed the same shade but all colours were now matte. These colours remained standard for another eight years.<ref>Note: Colours are very hard to interpret; changes in lighting conditions, filters and, different film types, paint batches and fading can make large differences in the way colours appear. Using the FS 595 system to interpret British Standard colours can be considered only as a rough guide as none are exact matches and only represent the closest colour found on the FS chart.</ref> To further complicate matters, old stocks continued to be used up. A series of colour photos of a [[Miles Master]] show wing and fuselage roundels (C and C1) in dull colours, while the fin flash remains in the bright pre-war colours, albeit with the later proportions. Other colour photos show a mixture of bright and dull colours being used on the same insignia, though all instances found have been of trainers.
Post-war colours were specified by the new [[BS 381]] colour standard and approximate the late pre-war colours except for special cases, such as anti-flash markings and the current low visibility markings. The old blue colour, Aircraft Blue on BS381c was BS108. A new colour BS110, Roundel blue, made on Phthlalocyanine blue, was introduced in the early 1960s to improve weather fastness.
==In popular culture==
[[File:The Who 2007 -4-.JPG|thumbnail|right|140px|[[The Who]] performing in front of roundels]]
Roundels in general and the RAF roundel in particular have been associated with [[pop art]] of the 1960s, appearing in paintings by [[Jasper Johns]] and British artist [[Peter Blake (artist)|Sir Peter Blake]]. It became part of the pop consciousness when British rock group [[The Who]] wore RAF roundels (and Union Flags) as part of their stage apparel at the start of their career. Subsequently it came to symbolise [[Mod (subculture)|Mods]] and the [[Mod revival]]. The roundel is often used on clothing of the [[Ben Sherman]] brand.
==Gallery==
<gallery mode=packed>
Image:Sketch of a Short seaplane on the water RMG PW1792 (cropped).jpg|[[Short Type 184|Short 184]], 1917. Contemporary watercolour showing late First World War roundels, similar to later type A with white outer ring for contrast against PC.12 camouflage. Rudder stripes have blue forward.
Image:Vickers Virginia in flight.jpg|[[Vickers Virginia]] night bomber, 1922. Type B roundels in 6 locations.
Image:Hawker Fury Mk.I K2900 No. 1 Squadron RAF.jpg|[[Hawker Fury]], 1935. Type A roundels, still overlapping the ailerons. Rudder stripes have red forward.
Image:Armstrong Whitworth Whitley MkI in flight c1938.jpg|[[Armstrong Whitworth Whitley]], 1938. Type A1 roundels on upper wings and fuselage side only and no fin flashes or rudder stripes.
Image:Spitfire VB 222 Sqn RAF in flight 1942.jpg|[[Supermarine Spitfire]], May 1942. A1 fuselage roundel, B type wing roundels and full height fin flash.
Image:DH98 Mosquito bomber (cropped).jpg|[[de Havilland Mosquito]], 1944. Type B roundels on upper wings, type C1 on fuselage sides and type C fin flash used on aircraft from June 1942 to 1947.
Image:BAE Hawk T1 (Red Arrows) in Russia.jpg|[[Red Arrows]] [[BAe Hawk]], 2012, with type D roundels and non-standard fin markings
Image:BAC TSR-2 - Mike Freer.jpg|[[BAC TSR-2]] in overall [[anti-flash white]] showing Type D Pale roundels
Image:AvroVulcanGooseBay.JPG|[[Avro Vulcan]], 1988. Large low-visibility roundels, upper wings and fuselage with matching fin flash.
Image:Harrier.kemble.750pix.jpg|[[British Aerospace Harrier II|BAe Harrier II]] with small low-visibility roundels and fin flash
Image:Hawker Siddeley Nimrod MR2 (801), UK - Air Force AN1445793.jpg|[[Hawker Siddeley Nimrod]] with salmon pink and pale blue low-visibility roundels
Image:British F-35B in flight near Eglin AFB in May 2014.jpg|[[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II|Lockheed Martin Lightning II]] showing fin flash and roundels of light and dark grey
</gallery>
==See also==
{{Portal|United Kingdom|Aviation|History}}
*[[List of RAF Squadron Codes]]
*[[United Kingdom military aircraft registration number]]
*[[United Kingdom aircraft test serials]]
*[[British military aircraft designation systems]]
*[[Military aircraft insignia]]
==References==
===Citations===
{{Reflist}}
The RAAF roundels were not SEAC type as the RAAF did not come under RAF command in the Pacific Theatre.
===Bibliography===
* Bowyer, Michael J F. ''Fighting Colours; RAF fighter camouflage and markings, 1937–1969.''. London: Patrick Stephens Ltd., 1970.  {{ISBN|0-85059-041-8}}
* Bowyer, Michael J F. ''Bombing Colours; Royal Air Force Bombers, their Markings and Operations, 1937–73''. London: Patrick Stephens Ltd., 1973.  {{ISBN|0-85059-128-7}}
* Hooton, Ted. "Spitfire Camouflage 1938–1940: Article and Scale Drawings." ''Scale Aircraft Modelling,'' Vol 5 No 2 November 1982. Berkhampstead, Herts UK.
* Robertson, Bruce. ''Aircraft Camouflage and Markings 1907–1954; 3rd edition''. London: Harleyford, 1959. {{ISBN|0-8168-6355-5}}
* Robertson, Bruce. ''Aircraft Markings of the World 1912–1967''. London: Harleyford, 1967.
==External links==
*[https://www.raf.mod.uk/history%5Fold/hrafround.html The Royal Air Force roundel]
*[http://www.homepages.mcb.net/bones/01UKAV/roundels/RAF_Roundels.htm RAF Roundels] – Bones Aviation Page
*[http://cocardes.monde.online.fr/v2html/en/pays/royaume_uni.html Roundels of the World: United Kingdom]
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[[Category:British military insignia]]
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[[Category:Aircraft markings]]