8...above or below the 5/6?
On Spitfires we know that original instructional stencils get lost in the subsequent refinishing of camouflage and markings.
If the fuel triangle is an original application, and assuming that the 5 was the first numeral applied, is it logical that in positioning and laying out this numeral for spraying, the painter would partially cover the triangle? No pride in workmanship there for the want of just dropping it down a few millimetres.
Would any 109 aficionados have any images where that was the case?
More logical that the 8 was the first application, positioned harmoniously with the triangle and that latterly the whole area including the triangle was sprayed over with top colour and a further numeral 5 applied.
In looking laterally as to why the 8 appears to be the first application but there is no evidence of it being either under the vestiges of 5/6 or protecting over 5/6, I am wondering in the case of the Red 8 that maybe there was a solvent used to remove the majority of it prior the secondary applications.
Just a thought.
PeterA