Red Code Letters

RED CODE LETTERS

No conclusive evidence has ever been found to support the claim that 198 Squadron RAF used red code letters on its aircraft sometime during July/August 1944. 198's Commanding Officer at the time of these claimed changes, Sqn/Ldr Y. Ezanno, was asked many years ago if the colour had been changed to red and he replied with a definite "NO".
Since then surviving 198 Squadron RAF veterans present at the time were asked the same question twice. With slight variations they either replied with "no recollection of any red code letters during July/August 1944" or more specifically recalled the code letters as being of varying shades between "dirty white" and "greyish" in colour.
Often sighted in support of the claim are two black and white photographs taken during July/August 1944 showing 198's Hawker Typhoons TP.V (MN526) and TP.Q (MN880). It should be noted that several of the veterans who couldn't recall red code letters in use were flying these very aircraft during the time in question.

(Additional Note: Several veterans, however, did recall that during 1944 a few of the Squadron's more "flambouyant" Squadron Leaders had their Hawker Typhoon propellor spinners painted red.)