"RFC plane identification letter codes" Topic

I'm dabbling in WWI aviation, but I cannot seem to detect any consistent RFC plane identification letter code system. Some units seem to wear a different identification letters on each plane. In other units, all planes seem to wear the letter of their relevant flight (I.e., all planes on 'B' Flight are marked 'B'). Was this just unit to unit? Or is there a defined system that I'm not picking up on?

It varied from unit to unit, although there were general trends – flight letters tended to be a mid war thing – it's most common to see A1-A6, B1-B6 and C1-C6 on DH2s and Nieuports. By 1917 most units were using some variation on a theme of individual letters for each aircraft – exact schemes varied, but the most common was probably A-F in A flight, G-M in B flight (missing I out, nominally to avoid confusion with 1, although as there was no 1 used, I don't really get that one….) and N-S in C flight.

There were *lots* of variations though – some used I, some omitted O, some used U-Z for C flight, some numbered B flight instead of lettering it (eg. 4th AFC wuth A-F, 1-6 and U-Z) and many had the odd extra aircraft on the books which would get whatever letter was spare…. 2-seater units broadly followed the same trends, but corps aircraft (chiefly RE-8s) were fairly commonly numbered instead of using letters, as was at least one RNAS fighter squadron.

PS – If you have a particular squadron and date in mind, I'm happy to look it up – the maginificent British Aviation Squadron Markings Of WWI by Les Rogers has details for most units in it.

I tend to use what Dom has suggested, I start by figuring out the paint scheme I want, and work backwards then to the codes (usually having at least one example from whatever image(s) I'm using).

Thanks so much guys. I knew I could count on the folks on this site. I just purchased my first shape ways planes . My order included 4 camels. I also purchased some decals for RNAS No. 10 squadron, but (and I hope this does not sound heretical) I was toying with the idea of genericizing the flight as opposed to modeling a specific famous squadron. I was considering using the roundels decals from that set and then just lettering the planes. I figured the 1-144 direct se5a decal set contains enough letter decals in appropriate font to do several flights. Lettering the craft would make them easier to tell apart on the gaming table and you can avoid the issue of "No. X squadron never flew against Jasta Y". Thoughts?

I don't think that's heretical, although I'd probably punch anyone who pulled an "Squadron X didn't fly against Jasta Y" argument on me during a game, specially for WWI where paint schemes and markings are all over the map. I just have enough (usually 4-6 for fighters) of a type to game with, and then paint them as one squadron/flight and they have to stand in for all of their type.

Although a recent Cross and Cockade had some awesome colour illustrations of RNAS 9, so I might need to do another flight of tripes (I've done RNAS 10).

For my big German bombers, I'm probably going to end up painting one of each cool colour scheme I can find and wave a fist at anyone who wants to argue over it :-)

Here's my one finished Camel (a one-off Goblintooth 1/300 – all my other Camels are H&R), with a semi-historical set of markings – I skipped painting the harder lines on the top wings.

That's excellent. Thanks for the great info and encouragement!