K
Kiwi
Guest
ZBP
Proportional description 40/30. This is the best documented roundel of the ZP family. Presumed to have been derived from the ZBP, it is well documented in photographs, from actual measurements taken from a Kittyhawk and last but not least from scale drawings on official RNZAF files. The first official drawing is updated and cannot be identified with other papers on the file, but a clue to its context is the fact that the 40/30 blue/white/blue roundel with white bars has a complete red border surrounding it. The US equivalent marking (of which there is also a drawing on file) was only extant from June to August 1943. The second official drawing is that prepared for the RNZAF markings for the Sunderland IIIs. On this drawing the wing roundels are not only drawn to scale but are also dimensioned as 72, 24 and 18 inches with bars 36 x 18 inches. From the weight of evidence available it is possible to confidently state that the ZBP roundel was the standard roundel for use on upper and lower wing surfaces for all aircraft operating in the forward area during 1944 and 1945. As always, there are likely to be exceptions, and the Fiji based Dominie appears to be one. It appears to have underwing roundels of the ZPC variety. Another exception, was the underwing roundel on the Avenger. Being applied to a white surface, and with the bars being of non-US origin, i.e with no blue border, there were no bars, and by default the roundel became a ZBP.
ZPC
Proportional description 60/45. A direct derivation of the C roundel, possibly via the ZC and ZCP. Only known applications are to the fuselage of Avengers and Sunderland IIIs , and in all positions on the Fiji-based Dominie NZ523. In bothe the Avenger and Sunderland applications it was in the ZPC.4 form and in each case the bars were larger than the nominal 60 x 30. As previously quoted, the Avenger bars seem to have been around a 90 x 45 proportion, and the Sunderland’s were specified with figures that gave a 75 x 45 proportion. (Roundel diameter 48 inches, border width 3 inches, bars 36 inhes long (each) and 16 inches high.)
ZPF
Proportional description approximately 32/16. Derived from the ZAF and noted, with some proportional variation, on early Dakotas after they had bars added. (see comments under ZAF)
ZPU
Proportional description estimated at 40/20. This roundel seems to have been the standard for Corsair fuselage applications. Whether the proportions given here are correct, and from what actual dimensions they might have been derived is not known. Dimensioning of a Corsair fuselage from photographs is a very difficult exercise, and it is still hoped that an accurate statement may be found as to the size of the US marking on Corsairs of this vintage. It seems likely from the type of bar that the ZPU was derived by overpainting of the US marks. The most common form was the ZPU.5, but in some instances the added yellow ring stopped a little short and so these examples bordered on the ZPU.6 variety.
ZPV
Proportional description estimated at 48/32. This roundel was applied to Ventura fuselages and contrary to the original bar instructions it most appeared in the ZPV.3 form. Sufficient examples have been measured to suggest that it was a standard for Venturas, and documentary evidence confirms that from 1943 at least these aircraft were painted in accordance with an official RNZAF diagram. This evidence gave the diameter as 48 inches, but the willingness for the RNZAF to specify diameters down to quarter inches gives little confidence in speculation on the likely proportions, and the ones given here are based solely on photographic measurements.
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Proportional description 40/30. This is the best documented roundel of the ZP family. Presumed to have been derived from the ZBP, it is well documented in photographs, from actual measurements taken from a Kittyhawk and last but not least from scale drawings on official RNZAF files. The first official drawing is updated and cannot be identified with other papers on the file, but a clue to its context is the fact that the 40/30 blue/white/blue roundel with white bars has a complete red border surrounding it. The US equivalent marking (of which there is also a drawing on file) was only extant from June to August 1943. The second official drawing is that prepared for the RNZAF markings for the Sunderland IIIs. On this drawing the wing roundels are not only drawn to scale but are also dimensioned as 72, 24 and 18 inches with bars 36 x 18 inches. From the weight of evidence available it is possible to confidently state that the ZBP roundel was the standard roundel for use on upper and lower wing surfaces for all aircraft operating in the forward area during 1944 and 1945. As always, there are likely to be exceptions, and the Fiji based Dominie appears to be one. It appears to have underwing roundels of the ZPC variety. Another exception, was the underwing roundel on the Avenger. Being applied to a white surface, and with the bars being of non-US origin, i.e with no blue border, there were no bars, and by default the roundel became a ZBP.
ZPC
Proportional description 60/45. A direct derivation of the C roundel, possibly via the ZC and ZCP. Only known applications are to the fuselage of Avengers and Sunderland IIIs , and in all positions on the Fiji-based Dominie NZ523. In bothe the Avenger and Sunderland applications it was in the ZPC.4 form and in each case the bars were larger than the nominal 60 x 30. As previously quoted, the Avenger bars seem to have been around a 90 x 45 proportion, and the Sunderland’s were specified with figures that gave a 75 x 45 proportion. (Roundel diameter 48 inches, border width 3 inches, bars 36 inhes long (each) and 16 inches high.)
ZPF
Proportional description approximately 32/16. Derived from the ZAF and noted, with some proportional variation, on early Dakotas after they had bars added. (see comments under ZAF)
ZPU
Proportional description estimated at 40/20. This roundel seems to have been the standard for Corsair fuselage applications. Whether the proportions given here are correct, and from what actual dimensions they might have been derived is not known. Dimensioning of a Corsair fuselage from photographs is a very difficult exercise, and it is still hoped that an accurate statement may be found as to the size of the US marking on Corsairs of this vintage. It seems likely from the type of bar that the ZPU was derived by overpainting of the US marks. The most common form was the ZPU.5, but in some instances the added yellow ring stopped a little short and so these examples bordered on the ZPU.6 variety.
ZPV
Proportional description estimated at 48/32. This roundel was applied to Ventura fuselages and contrary to the original bar instructions it most appeared in the ZPV.3 form. Sufficient examples have been measured to suggest that it was a standard for Venturas, and documentary evidence confirms that from 1943 at least these aircraft were painted in accordance with an official RNZAF diagram. This evidence gave the diameter as 48 inches, but the willingness for the RNZAF to specify diameters down to quarter inches gives little confidence in speculation on the likely proportions, and the ones given here are based solely on photographic measurements.
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/monthly_2005_07/nz4558.jpg.fefac95daad1eaab109d1ce8727e1774.jpg
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