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Kiwi · 08-06-2005

The ZP family
The ZP family of roundels, characterised by the addition of white bars to a blue-white-blue roundel, were the culmination of the development of wartime RNZAF roundels. There are many variations on these and I will try and cover the general background before continuing with the article.

On 7 December 1943 Sqn Ldr H.T.Grigg, RNZAF Base depot, Espiritu Santo sent a memo to Air Department, Wellington, New Zealand, which provided an interesting piece of information regarding the addition of white side bars to roundels. The memo is headed up “WARHAWK P-40N: WHITE IDENTIFICATION ON EMPENNAGE’, the second paragraph reads as follows:
“It is understood that White panels on either side of the roundel, similar to those in the new American national markings, are also being added at New Georgia, but until the position is a little more stable it is not proposed to ask for these to be added while the aircraft are in New Zealand, and as the area is not great, they can be readily painted on as required up here.”
This is the only known official indication that the white bars were being applied prior to 8 December 1943. The units “adding” side bars at New Georgia were Nos 2 and 4 Fighter SUs. Their attached squadrons at the time were Nos 18 and 14 respectively. Photographic evidence exists to show that 2 SU/18 Sqn were applying white bars to their P-40 roundels at least earlier than 26 November 1943. Just how much earlier is not known for certain at this time but it would certainly appear as if they were first to apply such markings, and apparently did so without official Air Department approval.
Early in December 1943 official memoranda passed between No 1 Islands Group and Air Department, Wellington, New Zealand concerning the addition of white bars to RNZAF roundels. The first of these, dated 8 December appeared over the signature of Sqn Ldr A.T.Giles on behalf of Air Officer Commanding No 1 Islands Group. It reads as follows.
AIRCRAFT NATIONALITY MARKINGS

To comply with request of American Authorities and to enable RNZAF aircraft operating in this area to be more easily recognised it has been decided to add certain markings to the roundels to coincide with those on American aircraft.
A white strip to extend each side of roundel on both fuselage and wings.

FUSELAGE
The strip to be 9 ¼ inches wide and to extend to a length of 18 ½ inches each side of roundel using centre of roundel as centre line of strip and to run parallel with centre line of fuselage.

WINGS
The strip to be 12 inches wide and extend to a length of 24 inches each side of roundel using centre of roundel as centre of strip and to a run in a line at right angles to the line of flight.

The bottom of this memo carried the handwritten comment: ”This has already been actioned and drawings despatched to units concerned.” This memo was also addressed to the Officers Commanding RNZAF Base Depot, Espiritu Santo, RNZAF NZAPO 366 Guadalcanal and RNZAF APO 308, New Georgia.
The next message, dated ( December, was from Sqn Ldr G.Ellis, Air Department, Wellington to Base Depot and copied to No 1 Islands Group:
“T.682-9 DEC
Comsopac signal 072332Z repeated to Comairsopac and Comairsols requests addition of white bar to RNZAF roundels. Obtain particulars and approval of design by AOC No 1 Islands Group. Forward final design Air Department by Air Mail. Modify all aircraft on strength.”

Comsopac = Commander South Pacific
Comairsopac = Commander Air South Pacific
Comairsols = Commander Air Solomons

The next and most interesting communication took place on the 12th with the following message being despatched by Sqn Ldr H.T.Grigg on behalf of OC RNZAF Base Depot, NZAPO. 361 to Air Department, Wellington:

NATIONALITY MARKINGS RNZAF COMBAT AIRCRAFT

In reply to your signal T 682 of 9th December enclosed herewith is one copy of drawing B.D.21001 which gives details of the white bars to be added on either side of the roundels on both wings and fuselage. It will be noticed that the bar is in the proportion of ½ radius wide by 1 radius long. The radius being that of the outer circumference of the roundel. All other markings not shown on the drawings including flashes on the fins are retained as formerly.
All units in this area have been instructed to paint in these white bars at the first opportunity.”
This memo was annotated. ”Noted: already actioned. Drg BD.21001 filed in RM Drg Office.” Signed (illegible) and dated 19/12/43
Unfortunately the copy of Drawing B.D.21001 does not survive (This situation applies to the official RNZAF records for almost everything pre – 1950. This also applies to designations of the various roundels and fin flashes. Defence Headquarters advise that official designations were issued for some of them but no record is now held)
However from the description given above, together with photographs of actual aircraft painted with roundels in accordance with the said drawing render its absence of little importance now. The prefix “BD” of the drawing number indicated “Base Depot”: the RNZAF’s most important engineering establishment outside New Zealand at that time.

08-06-2005	#14 (permalink)
Kiwi Scale Model Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New Zealand Real Name: Neville Visit Kiwi's Gallery Posts: 519	The ZP family The ZP family of roundels, characterised by the addition of white bars to a blue-white-blue roundel, were the culmination of the development of wartime RNZAF roundels. There are many variations on these and I will try and cover the general background before continuing with the article. On 7 December 1943 Sqn Ldr H.T.Grigg, RNZAF Base depot, Espiritu Santo sent a memo to Air Department, Wellington, New Zealand, which provided an interesting piece of information regarding the addition of white side bars to roundels. The memo is headed up “WARHAWK P-40N: WHITE IDENTIFICATION ON EMPENNAGE’, the second paragraph reads as follows: “It is understood that White panels on either side of the roundel, similar to those in the new American national markings, are also being added at New Georgia, but until the position is a little more stable it is not proposed to ask for these to be added while the aircraft are in New Zealand, and as the area is not great, they can be readily painted on as required up here.” This is the only known official indication that the white bars were being applied prior to 8 December 1943. The units “adding” side bars at New Georgia were Nos 2 and 4 Fighter SUs. Their attached squadrons at the time were Nos 18 and 14 respectively. Photographic evidence exists to show that 2 SU/18 Sqn were applying white bars to their P-40 roundels at least earlier than 26 November 1943. Just how much earlier is not known for certain at this time but it would certainly appear as if they were first to apply such markings, and apparently did so without official Air Department approval. Early in December 1943 official memoranda passed between No 1 Islands Group and Air Department, Wellington, New Zealand concerning the addition of white bars to RNZAF roundels. The first of these, dated 8 December appeared over the signature of Sqn Ldr A.T.Giles on behalf of Air Officer Commanding No 1 Islands Group. It reads as follows. AIRCRAFT NATIONALITY MARKINGS To comply with request of American Authorities and to enable RNZAF aircraft operating in this area to be more easily recognised it has been decided to add certain markings to the roundels to coincide with those on American aircraft. A white strip to extend each side of roundel on both fuselage and wings. FUSELAGE The strip to be 9 ¼ inches wide and to extend to a length of 18 ½ inches each side of roundel using centre of roundel as centre line of strip and to run parallel with centre line of fuselage. WINGS The strip to be 12 inches wide and extend to a length of 24 inches each side of roundel using centre of roundel as centre of strip and to a run in a line at right angles to the line of flight. The bottom of this memo carried the handwritten comment: ”This has already been actioned and drawings despatched to units concerned.” This memo was also addressed to the Officers Commanding RNZAF Base Depot, Espiritu Santo, RNZAF NZAPO 366 Guadalcanal and RNZAF APO 308, New Georgia. The next message, dated ( December, was from Sqn Ldr G.Ellis, Air Department, Wellington to Base Depot and copied to No 1 Islands Group: “T.682-9 DEC Comsopac signal 072332Z repeated to Comairsopac and Comairsols requests addition of white bar to RNZAF roundels. Obtain particulars and approval of design by AOC No 1 Islands Group. Forward final design Air Department by Air Mail. Modify all aircraft on strength.” Comsopac = Commander South Pacific Comairsopac = Commander Air South Pacific Comairsols = Commander Air Solomons The next and most interesting communication took place on the 12th with the following message being despatched by Sqn Ldr H.T.Grigg on behalf of OC RNZAF Base Depot, NZAPO. 361 to Air Department, Wellington: NATIONALITY MARKINGS RNZAF COMBAT AIRCRAFT In reply to your signal T 682 of 9th December enclosed herewith is one copy of drawing B.D.21001 which gives details of the white bars to be added on either side of the roundels on both wings and fuselage. It will be noticed that the bar is in the proportion of ½ radius wide by 1 radius long. The radius being that of the outer circumference of the roundel. All other markings not shown on the drawings including flashes on the fins are retained as formerly. All units in this area have been instructed to paint in these white bars at the first opportunity.” This memo was annotated. ”Noted: already actioned. Drg BD.21001 filed in RM Drg Office.” Signed (illegible) and dated 19/12/43 Unfortunately the copy of Drawing B.D.21001 does not survive (This situation applies to the official RNZAF records for almost everything pre – 1950. This also applies to designations of the various roundels and fin flashes. Defence Headquarters advise that official designations were issued for some of them but no record is now held) However from the description given above, together with photographs of actual aircraft painted with roundels in accordance with the said drawing render its absence of little importance now. The prefix “BD” of the drawing number indicated “Base Depot”: the RNZAF’s most important engineering establishment outside New Zealand at that time.