White stripes on Spits Summer 1942

[CJE]

At first supposed to be an ID for the Dieppe operation, I suspect these stripes were applied earlier for some exercise. Can someone confirm that?
Thanks.

[Chris Goss]

Chris: I have a few photos of curiously marked Spits and I seem to remember it was something like Exercise SPARTAN

[atckyrre]

Operation Rutter is the one, according to Franek.
Check out this old thread I started about more or less the same issue:
http://forum.12oclockhigh.net/showth...ration+jubilee

[CJE]

Thanks to all.
I

[CJE]

What's wrong?
I said I remembered that old thread but was unable to unearth it.

[Fairlop]

Yes these stripes were for applied for Operation Rutter. It was planned for 4th July but was canceled on 7th due to continued bad weather.
Spitfires of Czechoslovak Squadrons in Radhill were painted too.

Michal

[Stein Meum]

The ORB for 72 Sqn dated 5 July 1942 mentions that 14 of their 20 kites that have gone to Lympne have been painted with white stripes on the cowling and tailplane.These planes were not to fly near the coast at any time.The ORB continues with saying that mainting operational readiness with the remaining 6 planes was difficult.Some days later,the oRB mentions orders to have the stripes removed."Rutter" was cancelled because flaws in the original plans were discovered or because it was thought security had been breached.

Stein