Hamsterman I will try and help here with what I can find.
LR442 and LR469 were indeed DH Mosquito MKIX's.
MM366 and MM369 were DH Mosquito PR MkXVI's.
The SAAF also operated the PR.IX (eg. LR480) and PR.XVI (eg.NS644, NS738).Not to forget the DH Mosquito MkII variant (eg.DD743 and DD744 dd 26 January1943) and the MkVI (eg.HJ673).
Hamsterman wrote:
At what point did the SAAF start using orange instead of red on the fin flash and national roundel?
The SAAF painted the orange portion on the fin flash as well as the roundel asap after receiving the aircraft from RAF stock or from Lend-Lease stock! Here I will have to consult my notes but it is well before 1944!
Unfortunately I have been away for a few days (back for 2 days) and will be away again until next week when I can hopefully do some research for you.
Hamsterman wrote:
When did the SAAF start using these tail markings?
60 Squadron started adding the "Barber pole" (red and white diagonal stripes) to the Mosquito tails to assist with identification after several attacks by "friendly" fighters recorded by many SAAF units.
Hamsterman wrote:
So full or partial invasion stripes on the fuselage for the 26 August mission?
NS684 based at San Severo only had under fuselage invasion stripes and the "barber pole" stripes on the tail. The tail number (NS684) was painted above the invasion stripes which only went halfway up the fuselage.
Hamsterman wrote:
Did each plane have one of these letter codes or was this only some planes?
This I will try and confirm as I know that there were identification codes issued to the various aircraft,eg "F" for friendship was on a Mosquito, not sure of the tail number but will research it ( I knew the nav from this aircraft).
Maybe SAAF Colours can also help here with information?
Cheers
Geoff