Lockheed F-4A-1-LO to french AF infos needed

[rafju]

Dear All

As the title says, may be you can of any help to clarify some points that I've not found in french books.

activity period: 1943 (following the "Operation Torch")

operation theater: North Africa

I just read that the first two planes "devoted" to the french 33è Escadre de reconnaissance" were the S/N

41-2363

41-2365

And now, what I need to know is about their previous life, before they were in the french Escadre, from which unit did they belong, this is to explain some parts of their nose' markings. 

 

Please what is this marking indicated by the arrows, sometimes under new french marking or partially erased?

The period photos below are either of the 363 or 365

 

 

 

With many thanks for any info

Raphael

 

 

 

[Kagemusha]

Could it be a simple explanation the way the cameras are mounted?

[rafju]

Why not? may be something of a cross mounting?

But I think and hope that knowing the original Units (or their chronology) could also lead to other photos, and also discover what these crossed things represent.

Wait & see ;-)

Among the suggestions: it could also schematically represent a camera lens with a film reel behind it?

Edited November 25 by rafju

[Kagemusha]

1 hour ago, rafju said:

Why not? may be something of a cross mounting?

But I think and hope that knowing the original Units (or their chronology) could also lead to other photos, and also discover what these crossed things represent.

Wait & see 😉

Among the suggestions: it could also schematically represent a camera lens with a film reel behind it?

 

Exactly and the way it is mounted, if the film cans are facing each other they might not fit. It cuts through any language barriers, something else to bear in mind. 

[TBC]

Sometimes the simplest explanation is correct, but I don't know how they'd get them in there mounted incorrectly.

 

[rafju]

Hello,

 What if these marks, these 2 crossed "things"  were not a symbol in themselves, but only a kind of make-up painted to cover, to hide an old marking, a nose art? Why not 2 crossed flags, 2 pennants?

What do you think about?

Of course, with the history of these airplanes we could find out more.

Edited November 27 by rafju

[TBC]

14 hours ago, rafju said:

Hello,

 What if these marks, these 2 crossed "things"  were not a symbol in themselves, but only a kind of make-up painted to cover, to hide an old marking, a nose art? Why not 2 crossed flags, 2 pennants?

What do you think about?

Of course, with the history of these airplanes we could find out more.

That could very well be. Photographs of these 2 a/c with their previous units might prove that.

[rafju]

Another idea/suggest received:

What do you think about any gas detection paint?

Thanks

[Oldbaldguy]

….

Edited December 5 by Oldbaldguy
Relevance

[rafju]

1 hour ago, Oldbaldguy said:

Are these markings found only on French airplanes?  

Hi

I don't think so, I think they come to the french Unit with.

that is why I want to lnow more with their original Unit to find what was the role of these markings?

 

It would be very interesting to look at your photo or may be any link?

In any way, TIA

Raf

 

[Jean-Michel]

Hello, here a collection of french Lockheed, maybe you will find some info...
ImagesDéfense - Recherche Avancée - page 1

[Jean-Michel]

ImagesDéfense - Le pilote arrive dans son cockpit et suit les derniers préparatifs de son technicien.

[Oldbaldguy]

19 hours ago, Jean-Michel said:

 

Edited December 5 by Oldbaldguy
Relevance

[rafju]

Ok, Thanks, I already know this very interesting link and pictures and also a lot after these planes were loaned to the french.

What I'm looking for are some "explanation" about this marking when they were still in the USAAF if they were already wearing it.

 

Edited December 4 by rafju

[easixpedro]

Raf, I've spent way to much time searching this and I'm stumped  

 

To me, it looks like the US Army Branch insignia for the Chemical Corps. But why? 

 

I've looked through all the photo recce squadron insignias from that era, and none look like this. I've also only seen it on French F-4s, not USAAF a/c (doesn't meen they didn't have the marking, just I haven't seen photos).

 

Doesn't help you at all, but thought that I'd let you know that someone with better history research skills than myself will have to find the answer...

-Peter