3 SAAF Sqn wasp motif
 

Hi,

During the East African campaign, 3 SAAF Sqn had a wasp badge painted on the noses of their Hurricanes. I've seen a few photos of this motif but was wondering if anyone knows what colour it was?

Any help appreciated.

Alex

Re: 3 SAAF Sqn wasp motif
 

Hi Alex
Try this link to a Russian site. It is still not easy to get detail of the badge but you might find a way to enlarge it/
http://wp.scn.ru/en/ww2/f/79/216/0/1 The Russian text id's it as a Hurricane of 3 Sqn SAAF KENYA 1941
Regards
Dick

Re: 3 SAAF Sqn wasp motif
 

Both the wartime and the post-war badges:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...dn_badge_2.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t...3-Squadron.jpg

Re: 3 SAAF Sqn wasp motif
 

Hi Alex.
Sorry, I am not near my computer till this weekend.
Both these two samples you have did not appear on our A/c.
The white one is a sample of the enamel lapel badge, and the round one as seen post war on our Mirages.
In SAAF at War there is a nice shot of the Hornet on p12.
On p13 it looks like White background.Profile of 3 sqdn Hurri is of the black version.
Colours?? The hornet like a hornet with yellow body, and ? white wings.
The gloves I have seen in yellow and white.
Background looks black most of the time.
Hope it helps
Stefaan

Re: 3 SAAF Sqn wasp motif
 

Hi Alex.
Since I posted my last I have found http://modelingmadness.com/reviews/a.../hahnhurri.htm and all the SAAF 3 Sqn Hurricanes have the slightly cartoonish wasp similar to that on Amrit's post but on a Black Circular background. Like the Russian site we are dealing with someone's interpretation of the badge which is shown on several completed models but it does bring us closer to what Stefaan has put in his post. I didn't see any indication that pointed to 1941 as the datum point for the models.
Regards
Dick

Re: 3 SAAF Sqn wasp motif
 

There is a much clearer impression of the wartime badge in 80 Years of the SAAF (I didn't have access to my copy earlier). I don't have access to my scanner at the moment but will try to get a scan tomorrow. However, the basic design is similar to the lapel badge, but thecolours are closer to the second patch I posted.

Will be back with it tomorrow

Re: 3 SAAF Sqn wasp motif
 

The only one I can find quickly is one on the Mowhawks.
It is in the light background.

Re: 3 SAAF Sqn wasp motif
 

Hi guys,

Many thanks for all your replies. I have attached a scan of the Wasp badge that I am trying to figure out the colours for.

It's from page 131 of Springbok Fighter Victory, SAAF Fighter Operations 1939-45, Vol 1 East Africa 1940-41 by Michael Schoeman.

This badge appears on most of the 3 Sqn Hurricane photos. 3 Sqn also operated Gladiators for a period of time as well. For the new edition of my Gladiator book I want to have a colour side view showing a 3 Sqn Gladiator with the Wasp badge.

I suspect the circle is black with perhaps a yellow or orange? Wasp.

Alex

Re: 3 SAAF Sqn wasp motif
 

Hi Alex.
I would go for yellow body, gloves, and the rest white.
I will get my Hurricane shots out this weekend and send you another Hurricane badge that is different.
The problem is that there were so many variants, that one will have to have a photo of that specific Gladiator to see if it had a badge, and what variant.
I can't recall if I have one with a badge but I'll have a look
Stefaan

Re: 3 SAAF Sqn wasp motif
 

Hi Stefaan,

I was sent a number of Gladiator photos a few days ago. One was of SAAF Gladiator 1339 with four pilots? standing next to it. Only the front part of the badge is visible but it looks like the one I posted.

I have another drawing in mind showing a SAAF Gladiator with the 5 Sqn red/white segmented wheel covers. Again I've seen at least two photos of these.

Alex

Re: 3 SAAF Sqn wasp motif
 

From 85 Years of South African Air Force by Winston Brent

Re: 3 SAAF Sqn wasp motif
 

Different colours per different flights, perhaps?

Re: 3 SAAF Sqn wasp motif
 

Hi Guys.
Dug out my photo's.
This version appears to be the most commonly seen,
Re th 5 sqdn Gladiators.I have never come across any 5 sqdn Gladiators mentioned in any official references.
Not even in A/C census done during the War.
Alex, what are your references?
I have seen the wheelhub quadrants and was told they were received like that from RAF sqdns as hand me downs, and not applied by the SAAF.
The sqdns operating Gladiators were 1,2 and 3.
Re possibility of different flights?? Certainly a possibility but not verified.
Colours on thse photo's may be yellow body, wings,legs with white gloves.
Hope t helps
Stefaan

Re: 3 SAAF Sqn wasp motif
 

Hi Stefaan,

I can't remember off hand. I'll have a look through my notes at the weekend. I don't recall any of the Middle East/East African Gladiator Squadrons having red/white quartered wheel covers, though.

Another mystery perhaps?:)

Alex

Re: 3 SAAF Sqn wasp motif
 

Hi Alex.
I found this site that says their was one Gladiator N5820, ex 237 RAF sqdn.
http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/gladiator_raf.htm
Look under SAAF Gladiators

I think it is a typo, and may be 1 SAAF as it is found there.
Unless it was a sqdn hack it would be unlikely to have only 1 Gladiator
used operationally.
I have only one shot with coloured Hubs and that photo is same source as 3 sqdn ie Whelan.
Makes it more likely that it was taken with him in 3 sqdn.
It does not show the serial.
If you have photo's of Gladiators in the UK it may show the coloured hubs.
Stefaan