FighterControl

Missed the earlier arrival DRAGON86

So here is DRAGON21 arriving earlier this afternoon







Cheers

Superb images, love the second one.

Hi,
Smashing images of our second visitor today ,just woundering is there a meaning behind the four cross style markings on the top of the tail fin?(mission markings maybe) seen it a few times on U-2s ,was woundering if their was any meaning behind it or if they are really just markings.
Anyway great images and thanks for sharing
All the best
Max

Something to do with what was the "9th Strat. Recon. Wing" (now 9 RW) badge. When the 100th ARW became absorbed into the 9th SRW while based at Beale, Ca., its KC-135Qs also carried the four Maltese crosses in a yellow fintop band. (It was these a/c which first used the "Quid" c/s when they were detached to Mildenhall as part of DET4/9 SRW- SR-71 refuellers).

Skywatcher wrote:Hi,
Smashing images of our second visitor today ,just woundering is there a meaning behind the four cross style markings on the top of the tail fin?(mission markings maybe) seen it a few times on U-2s...Max

Hi Max, from wicki history of 9RW

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9th_Recon ... ing#Emblem
crest depicted here
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9th_Recon ... Emblem.png

The crest and motto were approved for the 9th Reconnaissance Wing on 1 July 1952 upon its inherited lineage of the 9th Bombardment Group. The shield, in black and green, represents the old colors of the Air Service parted by a wavy line representing the Rio Grande and the 1st Aero Squadron's operations in 1916. On the gold band are four black crosses representing four World War I offensives, Aisne-Marne, Champagne-Marne, Meuse-Argonne, and St. Mihiel, in which squadrons later assigned to the 9th Wing fought. The crest recalls the service in Mexico of the 1st Aero Squadron.

Sweet pics

V-e-r-y n-I-c-e

Thanks

Paddyboy

Many thanks all for the info on the markings on the top of the tail fin:)
All the best
Max

Thank you for the comments

very nice images well done