[Texman]

Nope, not bait. But highly visible so that all of the aircraft of any specific squadron, could form up in formation. So, if 1st squadron were to form up on a polka dot aircraft, they knew that was where they would all meet up. 2nd squadron, would form "meet up" and get in formation on, lets say, the striped aircraft. This way, all aircraft of all squadrons flying the mission would be in the proper assigned position of the attack formation.