Air recognition roundels on Canadian AFV's

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

More help requested.

While there is plenty of evidence that Canadian softskin vehicles had air recognition roundels painted on the cab roof or bonnet, how commonly were these painted on tanks and armoured cars?

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Bruce Parker
While there is plenty of evidence that Canadian softskin vehicles had air recognition roundels painted on the cab roof or bonnet, how commonly were these painted on tanks and armoured cars?

Bruce, as far as I know roundels were used for air recognition for all vehicles during the Italian campaign. For NW Europe, the white star was the Allied recognition sign.

HTH,
Hanno

[Mark W. Tonner]

Bruce;

The following is from Don Dingwall's CANADIAN ARMOUR IN THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN ITALY 1943-1945, Canadian Vehicle Markings, Order of Battle and War Establishments for 1st Canadian Corps and 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade:

"By the spring of 1944, the U.S. star was adopted as the standard AFV recognition marking. Prior to this, the combination of the red/white/red AFV flash and a roundel of red, white and blue, similar to early war RAF roundels, was used. The roundel was applied to the tops of turrets or engine decks on Shermans and other vehicles where space allowed, and on the engine hoods of Otters and other wheeled AFVs, and on the cab roofs of many softskins. This was officially discontinued on April 11, 1944, but roundels were still seen for some time afterwards."

Bruce, something to keep in mind regarding the use of the roundel, even if applied to the engine deck or engine hoods and turrets of AFVs, these would, by the nature of an AFV, become obscured by the habit of the crew piling extra stowage, kit and whatever on top of these said surfaces, due to the lack of space within AFVs.

Hope this helps.

Cheers