AMO E63/1930 (29 January 1931)

AMO A150/1946 (14 February 1946)

Amended by AMO A266/1946

MT Vehicles

AMWO 290/1920 (25 March 1920)

1. In future distinguishing flags in miniature will be flown by air or other officers commanding when travelling on duty in service motor cars, and, at their discretion, on other occasions when the circumstances are appropriate.

2. The flags are to be flown from a flagstaff mounted on the offside front wing to the rear of the wing lamp.  Waterproof covers will be provided for use with the flags.

3. The following items are hereby introduced for the use of air officers commanding and are available at "B" Maintenance Unit: -

   Store ref	Nomenclature	Detail	Class of Stores
   	Flags, Officers, Miniature	For use on staff cars
   4B/555	Marshal of the Royal Air Force		B
   4B/556	Air Chef Marshal		B
   4B/557	Air Marshal		B
   4B/558	Air Vice Marshal		B
   4B/559	Air Commodore		B
   4B/560	Staffs, flag	For use with Flags, Officers', Miniature, on staff cars.
   4B/561	covers, waterproof	For use with Flags, Officers', Miniature, on staff cars.	B

    

4. Miniature flags for the use of other officers commanding will be introduced at a later date.

5. KR & ACI and AP 1086 will be amended in due course.

Markings of MT Vehicles

To avoid the possbi1ity of aeroplane tanks being tilled with the incorrect grade of fuel at stations where more than one grade of fuel is stored and used, each mobile tanker is to be used exclusively for one grade of fuel.  All mobile tankers are to be painted on each side with a white circle (approximately 18 in. in diameter) inscribed with the short designation of the grade of fuel carried, e.g. "224", "236" or "100 Oct".

Maintenance of Aerodromes - Marking the Position of Tractors and Other Machinery

1. At home stations all Works Directorate tractors and machinery likely to be employed on landing grounds are to be painted bright orange.  At stations abroad they are to be painted a distinctive colour, to be decided by the AOC, in vivid contrast to the prevalent colouring of the landing grounds.

2. In the event of other service or contractor-owned tractors and machinery being employed on landing grounds where the landing of aircraft is permitted, if the machinery is not already painted as in para 1, the prime mover is to have a white cover placed over the bonnet.

3. A double disc signal as shown in the accompanying sketch is to be carried by all prime movers coming within the scope of paras 1 and 2.  The signal is to be supported on a mast fitted to the vehicle.  Where possible, the mast is to be sufficiently high to be seen by pilots from any part of the aerodrome.  Where this is not possible, the signal is to be carried at the maximum height compatible with safety.  All signals are to be painted the appropriate colour as detailed in para. 1.

    

4. Normally, tractors and other machinery are not employed on landing grounds during flying operations but it is not always practicable to avoid their use an such occasions, especially under present conditions. Moreover, it, should be specially noted that in some instances the rise and fall of the ground are so considerable that even when the signal is carried at the maximum height possible, it cannot be seen from all points of the landing ground.  When, therefore, aircraft are taking off or landing, pilots should exercise special care on landing grounds with undulating surfaces.

5. The signals will be provided by the Works Directorate; but it is the responsibility of the station commander to ensure that the provisions of this order are complied with and, if any difficulty is experienced to report the circumstances to the superintending engineer of the area concerned.

6. The above provisions relate to signals to be displayed an vehicles, but Station commanders are reminded also of the necessity for the display of the appropriate ground signal in the signal areas on the aerodrome. (See Appendix I (iv) of AMO A214/38.)
    

(This AMO cancelled AMOs A436/37, A202/38, A296/38 and A360/38)

Identification of RAF Mechanical Transport

1. In order that the military traffic control companies and the civil, RAF. and military police can easily identify RAF vehicles and thus facilitate movement control, it has been decided that all RAF vehicles, Works Directorate vehicles, and contractors' and Petroleum Board vehicles wholly employed on duties with the Royal Air Force, shall, forthwith, be marked with the RAF roundel.

2. The diversity of types of vehicles now in use precludes a standard positioning and fitting of the roundel, but the following general principles are to be applied: -

   1. The roundel to be 9 in. diameter.

   2. The roundel to be displayed in one of the following ways: -

      1. Where vehicles have suitable wings, to be painted on the off-side front wing so as to be visible to traffic control, i.e. NOT on top of the wing.

      2. To be positioned on the off-side of the front of the vehicle and half-way between the top of the bonnet and the ground.

      The roundel, with suitable bracket, will be manufactured under local arrangements. Scrap metal should be utilised whenever possible.

   3. No vocabulary item will be supplied.

   4. All letters "RAF" now placed upon windscreens are to be removed.

Use of Distinguishing rags on RAF Staff Cars

1. 1. It has been decided that the use of distinguishing flags in miniature on service motor cars will be limited to: -

   1. the Chief of the Air Staff, at all times;

   2. service members of the Air Council and Inspectors-General of the Royal Air Force, only when visiting RAF units;

   3. air officers in command of commands and groups, at all times.

2. The flags are to be flown from a flagstaff mounted at the top of the near side front wing, with the exception that, in the case of the Chief of the Air Staff, the flag will be flown in a central position above the radiator.

3. The use of distinguishing flags in miniature by officers other than those referred to in para 1 above is forbidden.

(AMO A284/38 cancelled.)

Painting of RAF MT Vehicles

1. Following the cessation of hostilities, it has been decided to discontinue the policy of painting RAF MT vehicles in a matt olive drab finish (containing anti-gas properties) and to introduce a new exterior finish consisting of a semi-gloss, RAF
   blue-grey colour paint for the bodywork, the wings and valances to be finished in black, The procedure to be adopted to implement this new policy is detailed below.

2. Existing paintwork - The existing paintwork, including canvas covers, i.e., body covers, cab hoods and penthouses, on RAF vehicles is not to be altered until the next occasion on which the vehicles require repainting.  Vehicles entering RAF workshops or the Civilian Repair Organisation for overhaul are to be inspected and, if necessary, repainted in accordance with para. 4 below. Where, however, only touching-in is required, the original finish is to be restored, using the paints detailed in para. 6 below.

3. Vehicles excluded from the provisions of this order. - The undermentioned vehicles, in whatever finish received, are excluded from the provisions of this order: -

   1. Cars allotted to members of the Air Council.

   2. Cars allotted to AOCs

   3. Cars allotted to AOCs-in-C.

   4. MT vehicles hired locally.

   5. Airfield controllers' caravans.

   6. Works Department vehicles working on airfields.

   Attention is also directed to AMO A486/44, as amended by A518/44, regarding the painting of upper surfaces of certain vehicles in orange when they are employed regularly within the landing area of airfields.

4. Vehicles requiring repainting - procedure

   1. Priming - all surfaces. - All surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned of rust, grease, oil, etc. Vehicles that have been sprayed with corrosine or a similar anti-corrosive agent are first to be cleaned; paint remover, type A, Stores Ref. 33B/147 is to be used.
      Important. - Before the application of priming paint, all surfaces must be perfectly clean, smooth and dry.

   2. Colour, cab, body and wheels. - RAF blue-grey to specification CS 2000.

      1. brushing - Stores Ref. 33A/613 - two coats.

      2. spraying - Stores Ref. 33/A614 - three coats.

      The drying time under good conditions for this paint is 24 hours..

   3. Colour coats, wings, valances, chassis. - Paint, PFU, black, to specification CS 2000.

      1. brushing - Stores Ref. 33A/615 - two coats.

      2. spraying - Stores Ref. 33A/6 16 - three coats.

      The drying time under good conditions for this paint is 24 hours.

   4. Care must be taken that red crosses, roundels and other official markings are repainted to the correct dimensions, as applicable.

5. Table of paints including primers to be used: -

   Stores Ref	Nomenclature	Specification	Remarks
   33A/611	Primers :- Paint PFU, priming red and white lead G.S. (for brushing application only)	CS 1186	For metal surfaces. This is a lead primer which will dry in 48 hours. One coat is to be applied.
   33A/559	Primers :- PFU, red oxide of iron. GS priming (spray or brush application)	CS 1870	For application to metal surfaces only. This is a quick-drying primer (drying time two hours) but it has poor weather resisting properties and should be covered with the appropriate colour coat as soon as it is dry. Two coats of priming are to be applied if sprayed, one if brushed.
   33A/612	Primers :- Paint, PFU, priming wood GS for brushing	CS 2165	For application to wood surfaces by brushing only.  A special primer for wood. Drying time 4 to 6 hours.
   33A/591	Primers :- PFU, wood primer, GS for brushing	CS 2166	For application to wood surfaces by spraying only . A special primer for woods. Drying time 4 to 6 hours
   33A/613*	Paint, PFU semi-gloss, RAF blue-grey for brushing	CS 2000	For application to wood and metal surfaces as a finishing paint.  Drying time 24 hours.
   33A/614	Paint, PFU semi-gloss, RAF blue-grey for spraying	CS 2000
   33A/615	Paint, PFU semi-gloss, black for brushing	CS 2000	For application to wood and metal surfaces as a finishing paint.  Drying time 24 hours.
   33A/616	Paint, PFU semi-gloss, black for spraying	CS 2000
   33A/617	Paint, bituminous emulsion, RAF blue-grey for brushing	TS 143	For application to canvas surfaces only. This paint not he applied to wood or metal.  Drying time - at 60/70°F. 16 hours.  In damp or inclement weather a longer time must be allowed
   33A/618	Paint, bituminous emulsion, RAF blue-grey, for spraying	TS143

   *Demands for paint, RAF blue-grey, for brushing, Stores Ref. 33A/430, 1 gallon containers, and Stores Ref. 33A/431, 2 gallon containers are to be submitted until the present stocks are exhausted.

6. Obsolescent paints. - The undermentioned paints are declared obsolescent, but are to continue to be used for retouching purposes.

   1. Paint, PFU, anti-gas, olive drab, spraying, CS 1898 (Stores Ref. 33A/577)

   2. Paint, PFU, anti-gas, olive drab, brushing, CS 1897 (Stores Ref. 33A/578)

   3. Paint, PFU, dark black, quick drying, matt finish, CS 1818 (Stores Ref, 33A/570).

   4. Paint, PFU, bituminous emulsion, camouflage, non-gritty, TS 143 (Stores Ref. 33A/549).

   5. Paint, PFU, bituminous emulsion, camouflage, non-gritty, TS 143 (Stores Ref. 33A/572).

   6. Paint, PFU, black, bituminous, quick drying, CS 1817 (Stores Ref. 33A/571)

   7. Paint, bituminous emulsion, camouflage, non-gritty, olive drab (spray or brush application) TS 143 (Stores Ref. 33A/592).

   8. Paint, PFU, brown, priming (for brush application to metal surfaces only) (CS 1478 (Stores Ref. 33A/558).

   9. Paint, PFU, wood primer, brushing, CS 1971 (Stores Ref. 33A/590)

(AMOs A897/44 and A1042/44 cancelled)

Paintwork of RAF Power-driven Marine Craft

1. All RAF power-driven marine craft are in future to be painted as follows:-

   Hulls	Black
   Upper deck woodwork at present painted, including hoods, dodgers, funnels, ventilators, masts etc.	Battleship grey (Stores Ref 33B/40)
   Deckhouses and upper deck woodwork at present varnished.	Copal varnish
   Water line	Two-inch white band.
   Below water, line	Solution, anti-fouling red (Stores Ref. 33A/249).
   Decks and rubbing strakes	To be left bare

2. The RAF identification marks of 12 in diameter are to be painted on the bows.

3. Identification, numbers are to he painted in accordance with the instructions contained in KR & ACL para. 2020.

4. The work of painting is to be carried out by unit labour and paint of the specified colours can be obtained on demand from No.3. Stores Depot.

5. This order is applicable only to marine craft attached to Home and Mediterranean Commands.*

*Amended by AMWO 671/1929 (31 October 1929)

Distinctive Marking of Air/Sea Rescue Marine Craft

1. Distinctive painting and additional numbering is required to be carried out on the following types of marine craft when employed solely on air/sea rescue duties: -

   1. 64 ft high speed launches

   2. 63 ft high speed launches

   3. 60 ft ASR pinnaces

   4. 41 ft 6 in seaplane tenders

   5. 40 ft seaplane tenders

   6. 38 ft seaplane tender

   7. 37 ft. 6 in seaplane tenders.

2. The decks, wheelhouses and cabin roofs on the above-mentioned craft ere to be given three coats of yellow paint, Stores Ref. 33A/374, and all craft are to bear identification numbers in accordance with appendix I to this order.
   All deck numbering is to be carried out with three coats of black paint, Stores Ref. 33A/346, the figures being outlined with a one-inch margin painted with three coats of white paint, Stores Ref. 33A/370. Hull numbers are to he painted with three coats of yellow paint, Stores Ref. 33A/374, without white margin, the existing numbers being scraped off and the surface being made good with black paint.

3. When continuity of the figures would otherwise be interrupted by deck fittings, e.g., lifebuoy, vents, etc., such fittings are to he so painted as to preserve continuity.

4. Demands for paint are to be submitted to the appropriate maintenance unit, this order being quoted as the authority.

5. The relevant air publications will be amended in due course.

APPENDIX I

SITING, ETC, OF IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS

APPENDIX II