50 Squadron BE2 markings

[ferret]

Are there any members on the forum with a knowledge of 50 Squadron at their formation, with particular reference to the squadron's aircraft?

I'm led to believe that when they were formed in the spring of 1917, the BE2 variants which equipped the unit were painted matt black. What I am particularly trying to clarify is whether the aircraft also carried a white skull and crossbones "motif" on their aircraft.

If anyone can confirm or deny this, I'd be very grateful.

Thanks and best wishes,

Greg

[Kirk R. Lowry]

Bonjour Greg!

You may already have consulted the following texts which have brief notes about the colour scheme applied to the B.E.2s of 50 Squadron, The Air Defence of Britain 1914-1918, by Cole and Cheesman and British Aviation Squadron Markings of World War I, by Rogers, but, on the chance that you have not I will quote from both.

From The Air Defense of Britain 1914-1918 -

"Malcolm Christie was responsible for the first specialized colour scheme for night fighters. During August [1916] he black-doped all his B.E.s, explaining to the Dover Garrison Commander that this was partly for invisibility but mainly to prevent pilots from being blinded when using their wingtip landing flares. To help identify these sinister black aircraft as friendly during day training flights, white rings the same size as the outer blue of the national roundels were painted on the upper and lower wing surfaces. GHQ Home Forces approved the scheme and promulgated it for adoption by all 'black-winged night flying machines' on 29 August. Many months passed before it was appreciated that the white circles did much to destroy the desired invisibility."

A caption to the well known photograph of a B.E.2e standing on nose At Detling in 1917 featuring the skull and crossed bones with 50 below the cross point of the bones on the lower surface of the upper wing reads "The skull and crossbones device adopted by No.50 Squadron was a natural follow-up of the black colour scheme."

From British Aviation Squadron Markings of World War I -

"He [Christie] had all his aircraft doped over-all black. However, when they were airborne during the day they had no national markings and were at risk from friendly aircraft and unfriendly A.A. guns. Therefore, white rings were painted on wings and fuselage which destroyed any value of the black covering. The idea was accepted by H.Q. Home Forces, who promulgated it for adoption by "all night flying aircraft" on 29th August, 1916. Photographs show this scheme was not always used."

The same photograph is shown with the simple comment "Note the under-wing marking" ...

Do you have a copy of RAF BE2e, WINDSOCK DATAFILE 14 by Bruce? In the COLOURS AND MARKINGS column by Rimmell there are notes about the markings of the 50 Squadron BE2es and a line drawing of one circa 1917. Rimmell does write "The all-black BE2cs and 2es of No. 50 HDS at Dover are interesting in that they adopted a skull and crossbones motif on wings and fuselage although it should be noted that on the wing undersurfaces it was more common for the top of the skull to face the leading edge."
So, I would assume that when 50 Squadron was formed in May, 1916 the aircraft were not painted in the black scheme, that being adopted in August. At some point following that time the the skull with the crossed bones and 50 motif was added to some, if not all, of the aircraft.

Salut!
Kirk

[ferret]

Kirk,

Brilliant stuff, thank you very much indeed - there is a wealth of detail in your post for me, and certainly enough for what I need. I am currently rewriting, updating, and expanding the history of 100 Squadron ("The Hornet's Nest", originally written by Arthur White), for the 100 Squadron Association, with the intention of publishing it to coincide with the squadrons 100th birthday in early 2017. As part of this, I am writing a short bio of each of the squadron Commanding Officers, with Major Christie being the first of course. A few days ago, whilst researching his career pre-100, I found that he had commanded 50 Squadron in 1916, and applied the colour scheme I enquired about (and to which you gave a very detailed reply) but more pertinently for me, had also applied the skull and crossbones motif to the aircraft of 50 Squadron. Christie aside, the direct link to 100 of course is the skull and crossbones motif, which was applied to 100 "Fees" and also forms the centrepiece of their authorised crest.

I am not familiar with the famous photo of a 50 Squadron B.E.2e standing on nose at Detling in 1917 that you mentioned in your reply (1 Group in WW2 is my usual field of research) so if you can point me in the right direction to find it, I'd be very grateful.

Thanks again Kirk - if you are ever in Cardiff, I owe you a good couple of pints

Diolch yn fawr iawn a dymuniadau gorau (Thanks very much and best wishes)

Greg

[Kirk R. Lowry]

Thank you for the kind words Greg. I am always happy to help a working Welshman ... two great childhood friends were from Wales and the irrepressible Jon Langford is a hero. Best of luck with the 100 Squadron, one of the great units of the R.F.C. and R.A.F, history ... do not hesitate to ask any questions about the Great War service and keep us here at The Aerodrome up to date with progress of the project.
I have sent you a Private Message Greg with the photograph of the B.E.2e replete with skull, crossed bones and 50.

Salut!
Kirk

By the way ... you should know that if I ever do make it to Cardiff I will take you up on that offer!

[ferret]

Prynhawn da Kirk,

Thanks for the response and encouraging words for the history of 100 that I'm writing. I've taken the text of the original history, which whilst an excellent work, was rather thin on detail, and I'm updating and expanding it. As I mentioned above, 1 Group in WW2 is my usual field of research, so I'm on a very steep learning curve at the moment regarding WW1 and the RFC / RAF!!

Thanks also for the PM and photo - I have seen it before but it was a long time ago and I can't remember where. I do recall wondering what aircraft and squadron it was at the time though, so that mystery has been cleared up now :-)

And please, if you do ever make it to my wonderful city, do be sure to let me know so I can settle the debt ;-)

Diolch yn fawr iawn a dymuniadau gorau,

Greg