Strana 127
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101 Tayeset, Cheyl Ha´avir, Hatzor, Israel, October 1948
The aircraft coded D-123 was delivered to Israel
on July 28 on board Balak Flight No. 79 and
joined the action on August 15, 1948. A month
prior to entry into service, ex-USAAF volunteer
pilot Stan Andrews drew up the 101 Tayeset’s
(Squadron) insignia of a winged skull of death
wearing a flight helmet and goggles. The skull
symbolizes the Jewish faith’s belief in the
rising of the dead to form a large army when
the messiah comes to earth. The insignia was
printed on paper and applied to the left side of
the nose of 101 Tayeset’s planes. In preparation
for Operation Ten Plagues (October 15-22, 1948),
later renamed Operation Yoav, 101 Tayeset
fighters obtained high visibility markings
consisting of red spinners and red and white
stripes on the rudders in order to distinguish
them from Egyptian aircraft. More to it, the Star
of David roundels were applied atop the wings
for the first time. During Operation Yoav, Rudi
Augarten claimed a Royal Egyptian Air Force
Spitfire Mk.IXc flying D-123 on the first day of
the offensive, on October 16. The kill was not
confirmed by IAF intelligence. In November,
D-123 was given the number 1905 as part of the
introduction of a new military aircraft marking
system. There are a few repairs to the fuselage
that appear darker areas on photos of D-123.
This has led some researchers to believe
the aircraft received a two-tone camouflage.
However, it is merely a contrast of older and
newer paint of the same shade of green.
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127
December 2025