Secret Spitfires...
Good question, I-42!
The invasion stripes were a last minute addition to avoid friendly fire and applied to all aircraft from C-47, P-38, P-47, Typhoon etc etc even applied to some captured German aircraft that were under test, Bomber Command and heavy bombers of the 8th Air Force were exempt. The scheme was approved on May 17, 1944, but the troop carriers were not given the order to paint until June 3rd while other aircraft got the order the following day, so only a day or two before the invasion. The late notice was so the Germans wouldn't be wondering what's up.
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 60
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You can hear that Griffon... marvellous!
Bonus shot then in thanks.
Credit: VisitMoffat
Credit: VisitMoffat
