| RNZAF Roundels -Prologue
These notes on the evolution of RNZAF roundels are compiled mainly from articles from the Aviation Historical Society of New Zealand Journals of the early 1980s and in particular the research by Sqn Ldr C.F.L.Jenks.
To understand the study which follows it is necessary to understand some of the methods used. The first point to note is that the study focuses mainly on roundel proportions and not dimensions. This has meant that measurements for a variety of roundels from a variety of photographs and other sources can be directly compared. As a start point the roundel outer diameter (borders excluded) has been given an arbitrary value of 120.
This figure was chosen to give whole number values to the lesser diameters in almost every case. As an example, the standard RAF pre-World War 2 roundel (A type) has white and red diameters respectively tree fifths and one fifth that of the blue diameter. In the proportional method adopted in this study that translates to a description of 120/72/24. As the 120 is, by definition, present in all descriptions, it can be dropped and the shortened form of 72/24 used to describe this particular form of roundel.
The second point to note is that the study takes no account of colour other than to distinguish between primary colours. That distinction is made between red and blue but not between shades of red or between shades of blue.
This general discarding of actual dimensions and shades of colour helps reduce a very complex subject to an understandable one. In some cases ,however, a knowledge of dimensions is necessary to arrive at a conclusion as to the derivation of some proportions.
Notation:
As a matter of convenience in describing the myriad of roundel types the following notation system has been adopted which is an extension of the official RAF system. Note the system used here is NOT an official system.
The RAF classified the four main roundel types used before, during, and after World War Two as A, B, C and D. Many of you will be familiar with these terms and the types of roundel they describe- for those that are not they will be described later as the RNZAF used all four.
The basis of the notation uses the letter Z to indicate any roundel that was peculiar to the RNZAF. By combining the Z with the RAF letters one can produce not only a convenient label but also indicate to a degree the origin of the roundel.
This system is still not sufficient to describe all types so far identified so the letter P (for Pacific) to extend the range further- in particular to encompass the roundels that were used when RNZAF aircraft operated alongside US Forces in the Pacific.
This particular family of roundels requires yet another device to describe several variants, and a third letter has been adopted in all cases, either based on RAF roundel types or in some cases on the designation of the aircraft to which the roundel appears peculiar.
The notation takes no account of shades of colour nor gloss ratings, nor does it cater for borders around the roundels. In the RAF system, a yellow border around the roundel is signified by the addition of the figure 1 for a wide border (except for the C.1 which has a narrow border) or 2 for a narrow border. This system has been built on by extending the numbers to account for several varieties of borders, but also whether or not the bars had borders.
Pre-War roundels
Prior to 1939 the RNZAF and the NZPAF (New Zealand Permanent Air Force) before it, generally used the standard RAF roundel known as the A type. This consisted of concentric red, white and blue circles to the 72/24 ratio described in the previous post. On some aircraft it was carried in A.2 form- but with the bordering ring being white rather than yellow. This was contemporary RAF practice, particuarly on dark back grounds, and most NZPAF examples were from RAF origins. Other aircraft which came direct from the factories to New Zealand appear to have been subject to some variation from the standard. One of particular note is the DH.50A. This aircraft carried a fuselage roundel of the A.2 variety against a silver background and the proportion seems to have been 76/29, a quite significant departure from the A type proportions.
Last edited by Kiwi; 03-06-2005 at 03:00.
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