Does anyone know why ?

[NARSES2]

Does anyone know why the RAF SEAC (Blue/India Blue) roundel was so small when compared with the standard roundel used in all other theatres ?

The question suddenly hit me today whilst putting some on a model

[upnorth]

Maybe they were just being economical with the paint. Blue paint might have been scarce enough that they made the roundels only just big enough to be visible but no more than that.

[Thorvic]

Could it be because the Hinamaru were large circles so they went with the small diameter to minimise friendly fire ? Only a guess of course.

G

[PR19_Kit]

Chris,

Weren't the centre blue dots the same size as the red bits of C1 roundels and the outer blue was then extended inward to cover the previous white bits?

Erm, just re-read the question...........

No idea why they are so small. 

[jcf]

Could it be because the Hinamaru were large circles so they went with the small diameter to minimise friendly fire ? Only a guess of course.

G

Very possible.

According to Royal Air Force Thunderbolts by Geoff Thomas, the Thunderbolts also received ID stripes because there was a concern
that they could be confused with the Ki 44 Shoki due to similarities in silhouette.

BTW the formula for the light blue of the roundel was "one part of Dull Blue to four parts of White."

Jon

[NARSES2]

Chris,

Weren't the centre blue dots the same size as the red bits of C1 roundels and the outer blue was then extended inward to cover the previous white bits?

That certainly happened with some FAA types, particularly Indian Ocean theatre, Kit and I think I've seen an early Mohawk with the red overpainted and the white extended as well.

[NARSES2]

Could it be because the Hinamaru were large circles so they went with the small diameter to minimise friendly fire ? Only a guess of course.

G

Logical Geoff and "we" were on the defensive at the time.

Jon - yes the RAF had a habbit of using white or yellow ID stripes on any type that could be possibly be confused. Look at early Typhoon's, Tempests etc. Also the Tempest II had them even at a very late stage in the war. Often wondered if this was more for AAA gunners then pilots ? I know my dad said that RN AA gunners had a policy of shoot on sight at anything flying as for the first 3 years of the war the probabilty was that it was Axis - this policy carried on at least until Anzio and probably latter.

[Radish]

This could be a question to "Grumpy Old Modellers" ar MAM, SAMI or whatever Uncle Mike McEvoy writes in...

[NARSES2]

This could be a question to "Grumpy Old Modellers" ar MAM, SAMI or whatever Uncle Mike McEvoy writes in...

Hadn't thought of that - I'll send it in