discussion Another D-Day thread :) ( Stripes )

[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

As I was looking through information on applying my D-day stripes onto my C-47 I saw something that really made me sit up. With regards to which aircraft had to apply the stripe pattern there is a section on the document that lists exemptions, could anyone shed some light on it for me please I'll post the link below but to save looking down the list, it clearly states under Section 2, Scopes paragraph B, that the stripes do not apply to Gliders? I've seen hundreds of model gliders with them on, films constantly use them so, was this altered at the last minute or is it an over sight?

http://fortcrookipms.com/ckfinder/userfiles/files/D-Day%20Stripes%20Article.pdf

Adrian

 

[stona]

There were two principle amendments to Operational Memorandum No. 23.

RAF Bomber Command objected that stripes would compromise the camouflage of its aircraft operating at night and on May 4th Amendment 1 exempted Bomber Command aircraft from carrying the distinctive markings, except those operating by day in direct support of the invasion. This appears in the version of the Memorandum published on that web site.

Glider Force commanders were acutely aware of the vulnerability of their aircraft and lobbied for the opposite, to put stripes on their gliders. Amendment 2 of May 13th allowed for gliders to be marked as single engine aircraft (that is 18" stripes NOT 24").

The final objection came from the US 1st Army who felt that the stripes would compromise the camouflage of their liaison aircraft operating close to the front. It was allowed to apply smaller 8" stripes to these aircraft. The permission appears to have been extended to other formations operating aircraft of this type, though a general amendment wasn't published.

Cheers

Steve

 

[Adrian "Marvel" Reynolds]

Ah thanks for that Steve, I guess if I had dug a little deeper I would have seen this

Adrian