NB: This profile is incorrect and has been updated. Please read this post for extra information.

Last week I posted a profile of Clostermann’s SN222, explaining that the aircraft later received additional markings and a brighter shade of red for the roundel and fin flash. This is how “Le Grand Charles” appeared after the night of 8/9 May 1945, exactly 72 years ago.

The most notable difference is of course the addition of No 3 Squadron’s badge on the fin of the aircraft. Although distinctive unit markings were common before and after the war, very few RAF units carried them during the conflict.

For comparison, here is how SN222 looked on the previous day: