White or Yellow noses on II./ZG 76 a/c during Sept-Oct 1940?

[John Vasco]

Originally Posted by 1.JaVA_Sjonnie

Do you mean the markings were there for ease of forming up into big shows? Put differently, what do you mean by tactical markings?

That's what they were called...

[1.JaVA_Sjonnie]

Originally Posted by John Vasco

That's what they were called...

Uhhhh okay..... I guess this shows that english is not my native language. I don't have another excuse....

[Doolittle81]

Originally Posted by Evgeny Velichko

...

Zerstörergeschwader 76 (without I./ZG76) - white noses (look on this film - 1940-10-30 - Die Deutsche Wochenschau Nr. 530 (23m 58s, 720x544).mkv here: Deutche Wochenschau, from 7:10, and You will see Bf110's of II./ZG76 with white noses)...

I can't find teh Bf110 footage on that Wochenshau at 7:10. Did you cite the right episode and time?

[obdl3945]

Originally Posted by 1.JaVA_Sjonnie

Do you mean the markings were there for ease of forming up into big shows? Put differently, what do you mean by tactical markings?

Hi, JaVa...

I think what you're asking is whether or not the white nose markings on Bf110s were formation markings for other aircraft in the squadron to form up on. If so, then no, personally I don't think this was their purpose.

I think they were simply the same as the Bf109s' yellow engine cowlings - tactical markings to distinguish your own side's aircraft in the heat of a battle, especially if you're flying around at 300mph!

Regards...

Paul

[1.JaVA_Sjonnie]

I guess so too....

Using a sim called IL-2, one can fly online re- enactments of BoB vintage.
Massive numbers of players complement AI aircraft to re- create historical or semi- historical missions.
It's as close to reality as possible. This means that complete squadrons form up over base and start their sorties, be it RAF fighters intercepting 100+ incoming bombers; be it Bf110's and 109's waiting for a bomber formation at the rendez-vous point.

In real life, all sorts of things would happen on the way; people got separated or lost, or flew along with the wrong formation.
The same things happen to virtual pilots of today; individual a/c or flights that have become separated from their units look for the others - but who is who?

Tactical markings help virtual pilots the exact same way as in real life. In the case of the BoB, the sheer numbers of a/c involved make tactical markings a necessity.

Remarkably, we have the same view as stated before; the bright colors do not impact visibility too much; you can see an a/c before you can see it's colour.
[/offtopic]

[Evgeny Velichko]

Larry: - what airfield is in progress of building? II./ZG76 a/c's are already wear white noses.

[Larry Hickey]

Evgeny,

This is an excellent photo of what appears to be white gun bay covers. I don't know the airfield, but it certainly looks like it could be Battle of Britain period. I think that this does look more likely to be white rather than yellow, but it's hard to tell.

Regards,