RAF Prototype markings

[JayBee]

Air Ministry Order 644/42 (dated 2nd July 1942) required all prototype aircraft to carry the yellow P in a yellow circle.
Does anyone know when this requirement was withdrawn?

[TsrJoe]

hmm, not sure when the marking was withdrawn 'officially' (1952?) but it does seem to have fallen out of use by circa early/mid. 50's on British prototypes (the same marking spec interestingly also being used on 50's Indian and Finnish prototypes)

the Avro 707 prototype (1949) had the marking applied on the forward fuselage, altho the Avro 707B (1950) had no (P) marking, likewise the Boulton paul P.111 had the (P) applied for initial flights (1950) which was not reapplied when the aircraft was repainted overall yellow (1952)

prior to the 1950's prototypes trended to be painted in the requisite 'service scheme' (Supermarine Seagull, Short Seamew), altho by the mid 1950's prototypes seem to have been painted in bright promotional colours, eg. orange, red, blue (Avro 707B, Folland Midge), yellow (BP. P.111A, Hunting H.129), even mauve (Fairey FD.2) and pink (Supermarine 525) 

cheers, Joe

[The Rat]

If some enterprising individual were to print out a bunch of those markings as decals, in various sizes, they would find a ready market here. 

[loupgarou]

If some enterprising individual were to print out a bunch of those markings as decals, in various sizes, they would find a ready market here. 

But those are available:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DECALS-PROTOTYPE-Ps-36-1-48-FP-807-FANTASY-PRINTSHOP-/130239076559?hash=item1e52da98cf:g:HFoAAMXQVT9SvbYB

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DECALS-PROTOTYPE-Ps-30-36-1-72-FP-808-FANTASY-PRINTSHOP-/200416269869?hash=item2ea9bd962d:m:mtbwYOauyD4j_yAjWEI4yxQ

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Xtradecal-1-72-X72213-RAF-Sky-Numbers-and-Prototype-Ps-decal-set-/381792297885?hash=item58e498239d:g:svYAAOSwQItT9kMc

This from a very quick search, but I had found also other manufacturers.

[zenrat]

DH 108 (first flight '46) had it in yellow on the side of the jet pipe.  Hard to see against the NMF.

[NARSES2]

If some enterprising individual were to print out a bunch of those markings as decals, in various sizes, they would find a ready market here. 

But those are available:


This from a very quick search, but I had found also other manufacturers.

Yup I have a small set in 1/72 in the transfer stash. Can't remember off hand who by, but can check if you want Ratty ?

[kitnut617]

If some enterprising individual were to print out a bunch of those markings as decals, in various sizes, they would find a ready market here. 

The sheet of 1/72 yellow 'P' & Circles (they're separate) I have are produced by Joe's Models who I think is not far over the border from you Rat in Fulton, Missouri

http://www.joesmodels.com/a_contact.html

[The Wooksta!]

Xtradecal do a sheet:

https://www.hannants.co.uk/product/X72213

As do Fantasy Printshop.