RAF Typhoon Special Schemes
Listed below are details of all known special markings, tails or schemes applied to the RAF Typhoon fleet since it came into service and listed in chronological order from newest to oldest. Where possible, the best identified dates have been listed for the application and removal of the scheme. If more specific dates are known, or if a scheme has been missed, please contact us with the details.
RAF100 Anniversary Typhoon FGR.4 ZK318 ( March 2018 – current )
First spotted during late March 2018, 29(R) Squadron Typhoon FGR.4 ZK318 was the first of the type to receive markings to celebrate the RAF100 anniversary. Minimal markings were applied with only a partial tail scheme featuring the official RAF100 logo – the RAF roundel and RAF100 text on a red background.
XI(F) Squadron Centenary Typhoon FGR.4 ZJ925 ( April 2015 – December 2015 )
In 2015 XI(F) Squadron celebrated their centenary which saw Typhoon FGR.4 ZJ925 rolled out in a special scheme to commemorate the event. A black and white gold scheme featured the twin eagles of the XI(F) Squadron crest emblazoned on the tail of the aircraft along with 100th anniversary text and the code ‘DXI’. The Canards were used to record both the formation of the squadron (Netheravon 1915) and the current location of the unit (Coningsby 2015) on the starboard and port sides respectively. The aircraft was regularly seen flying from Coningsby on normal operations and also deployed with XI(F) Squadron to Exercise Anatolian Eagle in Konya, Turkey during June 2015.
Battle of Britain 75th Anniversary Typhoon FGR.4 ZK349 ( April 2015 – at least May 2016 )
Perhaps the most impressive scheme to be unveiled by the RAF to date was the ‘wrap around’ camo applied to Typhoon FGR.4 ZK349 of 29(R) Squadron in 2015. Based on the World War II era scheme worn on the Spitfire and Hurricane, this replica camo scheme was applied in memoriam of ’the few’ who made the ultimate sacrifice as part of the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain celebrations.
The aircraft wore the code G-NA; originally worn by Hurricane P3576 of No. 249 Squadron flown by Flight Lieutenant James Brindley Nicolson. Flight Lieutenant Nicolson was the only Fighter Command pilot to be awarded the Victoria Cross during the Battle of Britain for his bravery and determination shown on the 16th August 1940. Subsequent to its initial unveiling, the aircraft also had Flight Lieut. Nicolson’s original nose art, a Defiant Red Devil, applied below the cockpit along with ‘Flt. Lt. James Nicolson VC’ stencilled beside on the port side of the nose. During the summer of 2015 the aircraft was flown by Flight Lieutenant Ben Westoby-Brooks alongside one of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfires as part of the RAF Syncro-pair display, also referred to as Syncro 75.
29(R) Squadron Centenary Typhoon FGR.4 ZK353 ( April 2015 – at least September 2015 )
Although ZK353 was marked with the Typhoon Display Team corporate logos, it also commemorates 100 years of 29(R) Squadron, who formed on 7th November 1915 at Gosport in Hampshire. Whilst the unit had not quite reached its 100th at the time the aircraft was painted, the need for a display aircraft made it a logical decision.
The scheme adorning Typhoon FGR.4 ZK353 featured a red tail complete with the “Triplex” symbols and Eagle head from the squadron motif as well as red canards with the Triplex symbols and large 29 lettering. The aircraft was flown by Flight Lieutenant Johnny Dowen throughout the 2015 display season.
41(R) Test and Evaluation Squadron Centenary Typhoon FGR.4 ZK315 ( September 2015 – at least September 2017 )
Released ahead of their centenary, 41(R) TES unveiled a Typhoon marked in 100 year colours. ZK315 featured the squadron’s distinctive red and white colours, with the red double armed cross featuring distinctively on the tail. The cross is adapted from the coat of arms of St Omer, where the squadron was formed in 1916. Down the rear of the fin were the silhouettes of key aircraft in the Squadron’s history, namely the FB5 Gunbus, Demon, Spitfire, Meteor, Jaguar, Tornado and Typhoon. Emblazoned across the top and bottom of the canards of the aircraft are the words “Seek” and “Destroy” in white, on a red background – from the unit’s motto “Seek and Destroy”.
Display Scheme Typhoon FGR.4 ZK343 ( April 2014 – at least May 2015 )
Used as the display aircraft throughout the 2014 display season, FGR.4 ZK343 was first special scheme for 29 Squadron. A simple but visually striking scheme, it combined two of the key aspects of the Squadrons badge. A predominantly black tail featured a grey eagle at the base whilst a white band with red ‘XXX’ swept across the top. The black, white and red theme extended to the canards where the ‘XXX’ was once more applied along with a large ’29’.
6 Squadron Centenary Typhoon FGR.4 ( April 2014 – at least November 2015 )
Unveiled in April 2014 at RAF Leuchars, ZK342 received a scheme to commemorate the centenary anniversary of 6 Sqn in a way designed to chart numerous aspects of the unit’s heritage. On the starboard canard was the silhouette of one of the first aircraft flown by the Squadron at their formation, a Farman MF.11 “Short Horn”, whilst the port canard had a silhouette of the Typhoon. The tail and spine were covered in a desert camp scheme representative of that worn by unit when operating Hurricanes during World War II whilst the rudder itself was adorned with the 17 battle honours of the Squadron – nine on one side and eight on the other. Completing the scheme was the Squadron emblem – an eagle, wings elevated, preying on a serpent – in red with ‘100 years’ text beneath.
D-Day 70th Anniversary Typhoon FGR.4 ZK308 ( May 2014 – at least June 2015 )
As part of the 70 year anniversary of Operation Neptune, more often referred to as D-Day, ZK308 was itself adorned with the well known ‘D-Day Stripes’. These black and white striped markings were applied across both upper and lower wing surfaces as well as around the rear of the fuselage. Just below and behind the cockpit was the code TP-V – the squadron code of a Hawker Typhoon that itself flew on D-Day. Occasionally used as the solo display aircraft during the 2014 season, it also took part in a number of synchro displays with a similarly marked Spitfire from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
17(R) Squadron Disbandment Typhoon FGR.4 ZJ947 ( April 2013 )
Unlike many of the schemes applied to date, ZJ947’s scheme was to mark the disbandment of 17(R) Squadron who were the Operational Evaluation Unit for the type. Three diagonal white stripes with black zig-zag ran up the tail whilst a Gauntlet from the Squadrons badge was laid over the top. The rudder showed the first and (then) last types operated by the Squadron – a Royal Aircraft Factory BE2c and Eurofighter Typhoon respectively. Beneath the canopy were a pair of Aces representing the Squadrons two fighter aces from World War I – Gerald Gibbs and Gilbert W. M. Green.
3 Squadron Centenary Typhoon FGR.4. ZJ936 ( May 2012 – Q2 2014 )
The first real ‘special tail’ Typhoon, ZJ936, certainly surprised many with its bold scheme when it was released to celebrate the centenary of 3 Squadron. A predominantly green scheme with yellow and red stripes represent the Squadrons unit colours whilst the crest itself took pride of place in the centre of the tail. The unit’s formation at Larkhill in 1912 was referenced in the text at the base of the tail alongside the number 100. The units motto ‘The third shall be first’ was added along the edge of the air brake whilst the main surface marked with a ‘III’ from the Squadron badge, the crown and eagle from the Badge of the Royal Air Force and the year of formation in roman numerals (MCMXII). The Squadron Battle Honors were also present on the side of the intakes.
Battle of Britain 70th Anniversary Typhoons FGR.4 ZJ941, FGR.4 ZJ912 and T3 ZJ805 ( Q3 2010 – Q1 2011 )
As part of the Battle of Britain 70th anniversary, the RAF placed small markings on a number of aircraft belonging to Squadrons that played a part including three of RAF Coningsby’s Typhoon units. The markings applied were in the form of Squadron codes that would have been worn by each Squadron during the battle and, in addition, represented a particular aircraft or crew.
Representing a Hurricane Mk.1 of 3 Squadron, ZJ941 wore the code QO-J on the tail. Underneath the cockpit was the name of Pilot Officer Lonsdale who was killed in action on 26th November 1942. During the Battle of Britain, he was credited with a shared shoot down of a Heinkel 111 over Pentland Firth.
17(R) Squadrons aircraft to receive markings was FGR.4 ZJ912 wearing code YB-F. This marking was designed to remember Count Manfred Beckett Czernin who, during the Battle of Britain flying Hurricane with the same markings, shot down eight German aircraft.
The final marked aircraft was that of T3 ZJ805 of 29(R) Squadron. The code applied, S-RO, was that of Bristol Blenheim L6637. In August of 1940 this aircraft shot down a JU-88 with the pilot at the time being Pilot Officer Richard Arthur Rhodes with the gunner being Sgt William James Gregory – both of which were remembered with their names under the cockpit.