War-weary B-17's were painted in bright colors so the other B-17's crews could form up in formations. Once the Groups were airborne, and in their Group formations, the assembly ship would return to base.

Standard RAF training black finish, with 208 Sqdn flashes - representing the blue sky and sand. 208 Sqdn was initially formed in the France in 1918 but lived in the Middle East from 1920 until it was disbanded in 1971. The Squadron was reformed in 1974, flying low-level strike Buccaneers before...