UK rules on warbird registrations

[Cubs2jets]

I've been looking at the FABULOUS RAF 100 Airshow thread pics (thanks for those!). I don't see registrations on the airframes i.e. G-HURII etc. US warbirds have the registrations in small letters on the aft fuselage (usually under the horizontal stab).

Iknow, two different countries - two different sets of rules, but what are the rules in the UK?

Thanks,

C2j

[FuryFB11]

In certain cases exemptions to are granted for aircraft to fly without bearing UK nationality and registration marks. The CAA Aircraft Registration section policy is only to exempt aircraft which display historically accurate military liveries and marks. The exemption is usually issued for a period of three years and should be renewed on expiry if the aircraft is to remain in those markings.

If the aircraft is to bear military markings permission must be obtained from the Ministry of Defence or the appropriate foreign government and sent to the CAA, Aircraft Registration section. One exception to this is aircraft wearing United States military markings as the US Embassy have granted permission for UK registered aircraft to wear their authentic markings as long as the aircraft type is no longer in USAF use or in their service inventory.

[ErrolC]

In New Zealand, you can have a (approved) registered scheme applied, in lieu of showing the rego letters (ZK- optional, if you don't take it to another jurisdiction). So anyone's markings are fine, as long as it won't cause confusion. You can tell when new TVAL aircraft stop being EXPERIMENTAL, there is a change of scheme registered (as the text is removed).

Australia has the requirement for the rego in small letters, I don't know if the scheme also has to be registered.

P-40 Takeoff by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

And a kiwi Harvard (as opposed to a Kiwi harvard that moved to Aussie)

NZ1078 looking sweet! by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

[Archer]

If you look at the CAA registraton database (see here: https://siteapps.caa.co.uk/g-info/) and look up G-HURI, you'll find the 'Display of Registration Mark Exemption Details' if you scroll down a bit. For this airframe it was issued in March 2015 (so this has probably been renewed by now) and the details of the scheme carried (RAF, P3700, RF-E) are included so that the aircraft is still recognisable. This also means that when you repaint the aircraft into a different scheme, you'll have to notify the CAA of this change I guess....

[DH82EH]

We have two aeroplanes here in Canada, both of which carry original military paint schemes.
We carry a document on board the aircraft called a "special dispensation". It documents the scheme (which if changed would have to be reapplied for).
It also stipulates that we can carry our registration letters in two inch high font under the horizontal stabilizer.

Andy

[Human Factor]

There's actually no longer a requirement to renew the Registration Exemption in the UK. Once you have it, it remains.

[T J Johansen]

I remember when P-51D N167F were in the silver colors. The plane wore the small N# beneath the horizontal stabilizer. Only the reg # was painted in a slightly different shade of silver, meaning that from some angles, or in certain light it was next to invisible. Nice touch that.

Here you see it:
https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/abpi ... -large.jpg

Here you don't:
https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/abpi ... -large.jpg

https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/abpi ... -large.jpg

T J

[DH82EH]

Those are some interesting shots of that T.J.

Canadian Warplane Heritage did a similar thing with their Lancaster initially.
Flat black letters on a gloss black background. It has since been changed to two inch letters in red.

[rcaf_100]

Those are some interesting shots of that T.J.

Canadian Warplane Heritage did a similar thing with their Lancaster initially.
Flat black letters on a gloss black background. It has since been changed to two inch letters in red.

The CWH Firefly still has the registration under the horizontals in a slightly darker shade of grey. You don't notice it unless you're looking for it.

Did the TC regs change regarding the size of the registrations? All of our Harvards are required to wear three inch letters under the horizontals.

[DH82EH]

Next time we meet up I can show you our "special dispensation" letter. We carry it in the Tiger.
That being said. What one T.C. inspector says isn't always what they all say.

Andy