Camel Serial Number Question

[Piet Flyer]

A friend has just finished a Camel replica, to be completed in the colours of a 4 Sqn AFC example. I have 3 serial numbers he could model it after, but we have no idea what the identifying markings on the aircraft would be.

I assume a vertical white bar on the fuse, behind the cockpit and a letter behind the roundel - but which letter?

The serial numbers are -
B2551
C3324
F1548

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Andrew

[Froggy]

Bonjour

First , according to that site ,the B2551 was a Sopwith 1/2 strutter
http://www.ukserials.com/

When coming in England the 4 AFC became 71 squadron RFC intil 20th january 1918 when it became again N° 4 Squadron AFC

The 'british aviation squadron markings of WW1' book (Les Rogers) gives the following indications:

"Squadron Marking
Allowed by 23rd Decembre (1917) ,a white boomerang behind the cockade and repeated on the top decking.A new squadron marking was allotted 22nd March 1918;this was a single white bar in front of the cockade

Individual markings
"A" flight used letters A,B,C,D,E in front of the cockade
"B" flight used numbers 1,2,3,4,5,6 in front of the cockade
"C" flight used letters U,V,W,X,Y,Z in front of the cockade

In march 1918 the establisment was raised to 24 aircraft."A"flight added "G" and "H","B" added "7"and "8",and "C" flight added "S" and "T".All were repeated on the upper starboard wing

After the new squadron marking was allotted on 22 march 1918


"A" flight used letters A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H behind the cockade
"B" flight used numbers 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 behind the cockade
"C" flight used letters U,V,W,X,Y,Z,Y,Z behind the cockade
All markings were repeated on upper starboard wing"

In september 1918 the squadron was re-equipped with sopwith snipe

Cordialement
Bruno

A photo of the Camel B7406 of 4 AFC can be seen in the book among others
here, with serials numbers allocatd to 4th AFC

http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/afc14.htm

and here is the profile of the B7406

[Piet Flyer]

Thanks so much Bruno

B2551 was actually posted on the aerodrome forum as a Camel operated by Captain George Jones. I think the poster might have meant B2515

I appreciate all the info you have provided here and it narrows it down a bit, but I am trying to find which actual letter was on the fuselage of the aircraft serials I listed. Are you aware of any resource that may list that?

Thanks again

Andrew