Question about Victory Markings
 

I'm curious to know whether the painting of victory markings were usualy done on both sides of the rudder or just one?

These period photos show markings on either side but most photos show only the port side. I've also read that Hans Joachim Marseille's rudder in the Luftwaffenmuseum der Bundeswehr in Berlin Gatow is painted on one side only. I'm not sure if the same can be said of Hermann Graf's 150 victory marked rudder?

Re: Question about Victory Markings
 

The common practice was to mark both sides.

Re: Question about Victory Markings
 

If that's the case, why do photos always see to favour the port side?

Re: Question about Victory Markings
 

Possibly because the pilot boards the aircraft from the port side?

Re: Question about Victory Markings
 

Good point, never thought of that.

Re: Question about Victory Markings
 

And do pilots board from the port side because that's the side a rider mounts a horse?

Re: Question about Victory Markings
 

Very simple indeed, ...to hv the sun on the face,

Rémi

Re: Question about Victory Markings
 

On the Bf 109, you can only enter and dismount the cockpit from the left side because of the canopy.

Re: Question about Victory Markings
 

The short answer is, some did and some didn't. The only way to be 100% positive is to have photographic evidence of both sides of the rudder/tail of the particular aircraft you wish to replicate. There is simply no way of knowing without the photos, because from my experience there were simply no hard and fast rules to how and if these victory markings were applied. :)