The Official Monogram U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Aircraft Color Guide, Vol 2: 1940-1949, 2nd edition

The OFFICIAL MONOGRAM US NAVY & MARINE CORPS AIRCRAFT COLOR GUIDE 1940-1949 Vol 2

The OFFICIAL MONOGRAM US NAVY & MARINE CORPS AIRCRAFT COLOR GUIDE Vol 2 1940·1949 John M. Elliott Maj USMC (Ret)

Monogram Aviation Publications, Sturbridge, Massachusetts

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FOREWORD Throughout the history of Navy and Manne Corps aVIBhon. the systems used to mark and paint airersh have been ox­ tremely confusing, The lack of a complete history of the subject has resulted largely hom the scallered condlhon 01 the reference collections. It has taken Jack Elhon a quarter-century to compile his mulll-vofume history of this SUbject. No one familiar with the subject manor and 115 documenl3Uon can be surprised that the proteCt look SO long. Volume I covers lhe years 191 1 lhrough 1939 Volume II covers the Important len years from 19110 to 1949 during which expansk>n and change were rules and not exceptIOns in the Navy and Marino Corps The decade witnessed drastic changes in the systems tho Navy and Marine Corps had used sInce tho 1920's to mark and paint aircraft. The changes came so fast and wero so numerous that their implementatIOn was ohen lell 10 tho discretion 01 commanding officers and the avallablhty of reSOUrces This second volume 01 !he Ellioll hlslO
William J. Armstrong Hlslonan Naval Air Syslems Command

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INTRODUCTION

The Second Marine Aircraft Wing produced the following:

2nd wing

2nd MAW

The Waf In Europe brought many changes to US Naval aViatIOn Among these was the change from the familiar brightly palnled atrcrafl to drab wartime camouflage concUfrent with a great expansion In number and types of aircraft Volume II coverS Ihese changes In pa1nting and markings apphed to US Naval aircraft dUring World War II and the gradual transllion back to more colorful markings, though nonregulation. lust poor

VMF·21t Groups within a Wing were

World War II the ok.1 single·dlgit system of designating squadrons became inadequate On March 18. 1941. the

1SIw..-.g

,,,MAW

1st group

1St sq uadlon

MAG·t l

VMF·111 The system covered the 1Sl Wing and 2nd Wing. while lhe number 3 at that lime was foe the four Maune Defense Air Groups thai comprised lhe remalflder ot Maune Corps tlYJalion In the Fleet Marine Force

e

10 be numbered conseculively

and organ1zed as follows:

With the expanslOI'l of Manne COI'PS aVlahOIl just before

Group (MAG) 11 From this II can be seen that there was space In the system for 9 MAGs (11 through 19) In the Wing. alttough such expansoo was never visuahzed. nor did It ever take place. Each Group could also conSist of 9 squadrons Squadrons were designated In numerical se· quence using all three digits. The fltst two digits desig· nated the Wing/Group. while the third represented the speclhc Squadron Within the Group. Thus. the hrsl squadron number In MAG t1 would carry the designator 11 t

151 squadro n

MAG·21

10 the Korean conflict.

Map General Corrmandanl recommended a new number­ Ing system for use by lhe Manne Corps. ThIs was approved by the Chief of Naval Operations on March 26. t94 t. Effective July 1. 1941, a new three-digit system was intro­ duced that would lake cale of all future expansJOn. thiS system showed the Wing. Group. and Squadron in the unit destgnator The first digit denoted the Wing (1st. 2nd. etc.). Groups were numbered In numencal sequence using two digits. the first being the Wing number to w'hich the Group belonged Under this system the first Group In the Arst Mauno Aucraft Wing (1 st MAW) would be Manne Aircraft

lSI group

Rrsl Gro up

VMF

Second Group

VMF

Third Group

VM5S

Fo urth Group

VMS

RUh GIOUp

VMCJ

This transition covered two months dunng which time separate directives were issued for each command level. The Fltst Manne Aircraft Wing was organized on July 7. 194 1: and the Second Marine Altcralt Wing followed on July 10. 1941 Pursuant to Major General Commandant leners 2385.2·4 AD·3t·rs and 2385.2·5 AD·3t·rs. dated June 28, 1941, the squadrons of Aircraft One and Aircraft Two were redesignated as follows:

AIRCRAFT ONE· 10• MAG·II AIRCRAFT TWO . 10• MAG·21 VMF·IIO VMF·lll

VMF·2 10VMF·211

VMS-I Io VMSB·131

VMS·2 10VMSB·231

VMB·I 10VMSB·132

VMS·2 10VMSS·232

VMO·lI0VMO·151

VMO·2 10VMJ·252

VMJ·I 10VMJ·152 However. II was not until July 28. 1941. that the MaJOr Gen· eral Convnandant by message 281440 designated AIrcraft

One become MAG· 11 and Alrcralt Two to become MAG· 21 Both changes became eHeclive August 1. 1941

10

The theory was good bul the appllcadon failed almost from the beginning There were never more than five wings First. Second Third. and Fourth being tactical unlls :rhe Ninth was a traIning Wing al Manne Corps Air StattOn. Cherry POtn!. North Carofina However. group numbers With the\t assigned squadrons belonging to the nonexistent WlOgS were ullllzed for special needs such as MAG·51.

conslsllng of the night fighters: MAG·Sl. the medium bomber force of Manne aViation flying PBJs. and MAG·71, the short-lIVed glider program The deployment of IndIVIdual uOilS due to combal reqUirements soon broke up thiS wing/group/ squadron numellcal organization The demobihzatlOf'l dunng 1945·1946 eliminated many units and destroyed the last remnants of the anginal system. While four wings were retained (tsl. 2nd. 3rd operational, and the 4th reserve) few group/squadron relallons remained. These. 100. were broken up In the years to come due to operational commitments Single dlgll designal/ons were slill used for unllS such as Observalion Squadrons (VMO·6) and Carrier AI( Service Oetachments (CASO·5). These numbers were assigned In numerical sequence for each type squadron as they were commiSSioned without regard the wing or group

10

assignment. In discussing Manne Corps aviation units the vllngs are always called Firs!. Second. or Thlfd. rather than One. Two. or Three On the other hand the groups are referred to as Twelve, Sixteen. or Thlfty·Three. etc.• rather than Twellth, Sixteenth. Thlfty·third. etc. Squadrons are spoken of as though the three digits wefe In two groups The first digit is spoken by itself, followed by the next two digits as a unit. For example. 231 would be pronounced two thIrty· one Thus. a wing is spoken of as First Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW): a group as Manne Altcraft Group ThlrlY· One (MAG·31). and a squadron as Marone FIghting Squadron Two·Fourteen (VMF·214l Navy squadrons are referred to as Patrol Squadron Forty {Vp·40} or Rghting Squadron Six (VF·6). Early In World War II It became obvious With the deployment of Navy patrol squadrons Ihat the permanenl assignment of squadrons to pallo! wings was not posSible The squadron number ceased to have any significance other than as a numerical deslgnatlOf'l. Paltol Wings were redeSignated Fleet Air Wings on November 1. 1943. to allow them to be organized on the Task Force prinCiple which would allow the assignment of any and all types of aircraft necessary to perform a mlSSton Reserve squadrons. as such. played no part In the confhct as they were called to aClNe duty or deacuvated However.

01

a number Naval DistrICt squadrons were formed and conllnued to carry the dlstnct assignment leller The

expansion of new squadron functlOf'ls forced tho creahon of new units such as Observation Flghllng (VOF), Night Fighting (VF(N». and Escort Fighting (VGF) for Escort Cart/er operal/ons. The Transpofl $quadron (VA) was also a warlime development On MarCh 1. 1943. aU assignment Jetters

v.

to dtoppcd.

except 'Of Manne Corps squadrons The squadron dBfolgna tlon system was slmphfled by deleMg soma the oarllor wartime Innovations Inshore Patrol Squadrons whIch had

01

camed a Naval Dlstnct number became Scoullng Squad rons (VS). Escort Fighting Squadrons (VGF) became F,ght· Ing Squadrons (VF). Escort ScoutIng Squadrons (VGS) became Composite Squadrons (VC). and Patrol Squ.ldrons (VP) operallng land·based a"craft became Bomb'ng Squadrons (VB) Camer ScouMg Squadrons (VS) were changed to VB and VC squadrons. Therefore. It IS necos· sary to know the date of a squadron deSIgnation In ardor to determine exactly what the deslgnallOfl means In the case of VB. VC. or VS squadrons The numencal deslgnallOfl of Cartier Aif Groups began WIth lhe commiSSIOning of Cartier AIr Group NIne (CAG·9) on March 9. t942. Existing air groups retained 1t1elt camor names unlll they were either reformed or disbanded On June 29. 1944. a new leller deSignatIOn was established for the CAGs SO that they were broughl .n line With standardlled complements of different camet types

These des�natlOf'ls. SOOle of whICh had been In uSC 'Of over a year. showed me carr)6r type to wht<:h the afr group was assigned as follows

CVBG CVG CVlG CVN

Large Airctajt Camot Air Group Alrcrall Caltler Au Group

Ughl Alterall Camet' An Group

Escort Au'crall Camet Au Group

Composlle SQuadrons assigned to CVEs woro also Iistod as A" Groups All those VC units had boon decommissioned by Novembor 15. t945

On October t . 1944. all patrol squadrons (VP) and mulll· engIne land·based bombong squadrons (VB) wero red
i I

I

Ing tho armed torces. Ihese squadrons were again redesig­ naled on May 1 5. 1946. as Palrol Squadrons (VP). This was dono 10 emphasize thO primary mission of search and reconnaissance and 10 avoid any confusion with Army Air Forco squadrons employing lhe same or similar aircraft with a bombing miSSIOn. Since lhe early days of Naval aVIation, squadron lilies have been cklsely related to the lellers used 10 designale air­ craft As a result of the development of new types of aIr crall. tho desIgnating syslem was revised on March II. 1946. by the ISSUO of Aircraft Circular Leller 43-46. The pnnclplo heavlor·than-alr fnced-wlng aircraft types were: VF

IIghtCf

VA

allack

VO

Observation

VP

P8ltol

VA

trsnspOfl

VU VT

utility

Iralnlng

The now helicopter designations were: HH

air-sea fescuo

HO

observalton

HT

tf81rung

HA

transport

HU

Uhllty

For odmlnlsu alivo purposes VP and VA classes could be further identified as lour engine landplane. two engine landplane. four engine seaplane. and IWO engine seaplane. by adding (HL). (ML). (HS). and (MS) respeclively 10 lhe basic class deslgnalion It was doclded alter lhe end of World War II lhal a program had 10 be InSllluted to retain the v8St pool 01 trained avlatl"" personnel. The Naval Air Reserve program. aa II came 10 ba called. waa lnauguraled "" July 1. 1 946. wilh lhe Hoadquaners command being es1abllshed al NAS GlonvtOW. IIhnooa Thla program oncluded Navy end Marine Corps uMs The reserve carrier type squadrons __ organIzed IntO Alr Groups the same es in the fleel.

..JO

Transport. utifity. and support units were also formed. While they !tew the same types 01 aircraft as were assigned fleet squadrons. theIr aircraft carried distinctive resorve markings to differentiate them from fleet aircraft.

On July 22. 1946. lhe Navy Depanmenl Bullelin No. 461543 was issued. It gave the new designations for Navyl Marine Corps squadrons to become eHective on Septem­ ber 1 . 1946. The designations were:

one. VF squadrons used the group number. VB squadrons were redesignated VA and also used the group number. On Ihe olher hand VBF (Bomber/Fighler) and VT (Torpedo) squadrons were redesignated VF and VA respectively, and used the next even number greater than the group number. A suHix letter was placed after the squadron number to diHerentiate between squadrons with the same number but 0' a diNerent class or group. These leiters were: CVBG squadrons

VF

lighting

B

VF(N)

nlghllightlng

A

eVG squadrons

VA

attack

L

eVlG squadrons

E

CVEG squadrons

VC

composite

VP

patrol (such as VF & VA aboard a CVE)

.

VU

utility

VR

transport

Thus. VF-l B was Battle Carrier Fighting Squadron 1 of CVBG-l. If a ship had two or more squadrons 01 the same type, the second squadron was assigned the next higher even number. i.e., VF-2B. eVL and eVE squadrons were numbered consecutively beginning with number one.

VH

photographic

For example, the redesignation of eVG-4 was·

rescue

VO

VPP VPW VPM

observation

air early warning meteorotogical

VX

development

VCN

night composlte

- CVG· ' (CVAG·,)

VF·4

- 10 - 10

VBF·.

- 10

- VF·2A

CVG·4

- VF-IA

VT

lIainlng

VB"

- 10

- VA-tA

VMF

Marine lighling

VT·.

- 10

- VA·2A

VMF(N) Marine nlght'ightlng VMA

MarIne attack

VMO

Marine observation

VMR

Marine transport

VMP

Marine photographic

Navy Depanment Bullelin No. 46- 2 123. effective Novem­ ber 1 5. 1946. abolished lhe deslgnalion ayslem which had been In effecl since 1937 and In lhe process made sweep­ ing changes. Carrier squadrons were divided Into 'our calegorlea depending "" lhe type of carrier 10 which lhey were essIgned. These _e Banlo Carrier (CVB). Anack Carrier (CV). (CVA 1946-1946). Ughl Carrier (CVL). and Escort Carrier (eve). In the CVB and CV ca18gOries. groups __ nt.mbered using odd numbera starting with

Thus Ihe VB (Bomber) and VT (Torpedo) squadrons whIch had been part 01 Naval aviation practlcaffy hom tho begin­ ning camo to an end. Reserve squadrons followed the same syslem. bUI beginning wilh 5 1 . Observation squadrons were assigned the same number as the Olvislon to which the parent vessel was assigned. with a suffiX leUer C 01' B to differentiate between crUiser and banleshlp observalion squadr""s. I.e.. VO·IC or Va· 1 B. Reserve squadrons started with 51 and had no tetler suffix. No reserve va squadrons were formed. Deslgnalions for palmi squadr""s now showed lhe type of aircraft being operated by including the Jeners prevIOUSly used administratIVely as part of the shorl title These loners wero

Hl

heavy land-based alrcra!t

Ml

medium land·based alrcra!t

MS

me<:llum seaplane alrcrall

AM

med1um amphibian aJrcratl

Squadron numbers were assigned In consecutive Otdcr beginning with one. while reserve squadrons were num­ bered slarting with 51. VCN. VPP. VPW. YR. VU. VT. VX. VRF. VRU. VPM. ZP. end all squadrons not otherwise numbered started With the number one and were numbered consecutlvoly tn each class. The demobilizaUon of so many squadrons at the ond of WOI'ld War II resulted In the romalnlng squadron numberS having no relationship to any system, This was resolved with the new system by having each class start With number one. However. there was tremendous opportumty tor confusIOn Wtth the eXistence of fighting. anack. and patrol squadrons having the same number, even though they had a dlHcront assignment letter. This also created a complete break tn the lineage of the remaining squadrons which had splendid war records. The Marine Corps squadrons woro not affecled by Ihls change. Such a complex sYSlem was bound 10 be modified quickly Chief of Naval Operal""'s tener 0p-55R·2B5Ijk. daled July 20. 1946. with an effecllVe da'e of SePlember I. 1946. aun­ plified Ihe syslem afler II had been In offecl for leas lhan two years. Carrier Air Groups now wero Simply CVGs without regard to their carrier assignments VF and VA squadrons were assigned two- or throo-dlglt numbers depending "" lhe CVG 10 which lhay belonged. lhe f"SI dlgil being the same as Ihe group number. whllo lha lasl dlgtl was the squadron numercal sequence Within the group In the case of two-d�1I group numbers. tho Itrsl two numbers of lhe squadr"" were lhe same as lhe group Ail suffiX leiters wero dropped from tho system, Potl(lt squadrons rovolted to tho simplo VP dosignation. while VPW and VPP squadr""s also became VP. VRF and VRU squadrons all became YR. The squadr"" numbor. ralher lhan a loner added 10 the squadr"" deSIgnation. now delormlnnd the special function of IhO squodr"" Follow.n g are examplos

MISSION

UNIT

Carclor AirGroupI eVG 1101

Oonoral ollock and dofonse

eVG211029

All womhCf allock and dolonso

Au defenso and C5C0rI

eVG311039

An weather

CVGdll049

mlnck

deronso ond ASW

fIghtor Sauadrool

VF (AG" pfus) 1,2.3, <1 Air Duoek. oscor , and dofonSQ

VF (AG • plus) 1.2

All woathor Intorcopt and OSCOfI

VA lAG if pluS) 3, 4

All woa ll'ICr ollook

ve·, 109

All wOllIh r Duock and dofense loam s

AI1lW!JiglllJlmDl • VA tAG If plus) 4 S. G Surface and ground anock ComPO'!!OSau.odmna

VC· 10. ro. 30. CIC

All womhOr dOloctlon. DUDCk and

ve·ll to19

All woather air warning lOoms

dOlQf'lSO

VC·?11039 (less 30)

All woather ASW huntor-klllor

VP·llo29

Alr-soa loconnalssanco ond ASON

Polcol Squodroni

VP 311039

(lttack

AmphibIOUS Alr-seD '8connOlsaaoc8

YP·40 1049

SOap lane AII'seo roconnOISSOnco

vp.[,Q10 59

Ai, BOO dol

lIOn Bod 81f dofenso

contrOl VP60to 9

VRllo20 VA?II030

PhotographIC

I!InJportSqu.dron.

AIf logIStiC auppcwl

Adm(U5IrfthVO 81f lOgistIC Iupporl

VR31 1040

A�r rorry k)gt5hC SUpporl

VR411050

Logistic allcratl tnOlnlononco

Once agilln thor was 8 comploto bro k In squadron I"",ago w,lh chang • such as VF ISA. wh,ch oocamo VF· 172 •nd VP·HL 12. wh>eh omo VP·29 Moll.'" CotPlIlqUlldronl ....oro not nlloclOd by 1M chango

White this was a simple system 01 designating squadrons, like aU the others, It was bound to broak down in aClual operation. This was especially true In the carrier·based squadrons Due 10 training. aircraft avallab11ity, and numerous other considerations, It was nol possible 10 retain Ihe Airl Group/Squadron relationship, so thai, Just as happened In the case of Marine Aircraft Groups, an Air Group no longer consisted of just the squadrons numbered for II. At no time In Ihe history of US Naval avlallon were Ihoro as many changes Issued for painting of aircraft as thoro were during the ton years covered In this volume. However, it must be rememberod that those changes wore what was desired and that there were many aircraft which were not repainted for a variety of reasons The press of combat reo qulrements, 01 course, took precedence over such a mun· dane task as paInting. But thero were numerous other overriding considerations. In moSI cases Iho carrlor squadrons and lhoso deployed In Ihe combal area did nol havo the equipment to conduci an elClonsive repainting projecl. " was all Ihoy could do 10 palch up bailie damaga. Consequently, most of these changes were done by the manufacturers, or by Overhaul and Repair facl1ltlea within Iho US. whllo Iho alrcrafl In Iho field remelnod In Iha some schome In which Ihoy had originally boen Issuod. Replacement aIrcraft, espoclally overseas, woro drown from a pool and frequonlly rOlalned Ihe pool accountability number father than having a now ono applied to conform 10 squadron systems This rosulted In some strenge schomos Within a unit However, thoy flow lust 8S well and porformod their missions as woll as faclory-trosh aircraft. Wllh Ihls brlof hlslory of Ihe war lime strucluro .flocllng Navy/Morino Corps aviation, we oro roady to delvo inlo tho numerous changes In the ovor.II paint schemos and mark ­ IngS ISsued by many different command s which wore used 10 IdOntlfy naval alrcrafl during this Ion year period,

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS An undertaking as extonslve as this volume of technical dala (as well as the other volumos in Ihls series), cannot be accomplished by jusl ono Plrson No mailer how thorough the search of the rocords may bo, thero remains the inescapable fact that -housecleaning" through the year. has deSlroyOd many hlslorlcally slgnlfleant dlreclives. Then, 100. it must be remembered that good administrative procedures have always dictated that tho old document bo deslroyed when a superseding document Is flied. The loca­ ling of Ihese missing rocords is only possible Ihrough Iho assistance of Individuals interested In the subjecl who have retained or found copies for their own use. It Is In these porsonal collections that many significant documents are found. Those Individuals are deserving of our gralitude for theIr pari In preservIng avlaUon history. In addItion 10 Ihose mentioned In Volume I. whose support covers 01\ 'our volumes. I want to thank the following for Ihelr asslslance In compiling lho dala for Volumo II. Dana Bell. Nallonal Air and Space Museum; Roy Grossnlck. Aviation Historian, Naval HIstorical Cenler, Charles Haberllen. PholO Soction. Naval Hlslorlcal Cenlor; Agnes Hoover, Photo Section, Naval Historical Center: Duane Kasulka; Robe" Lawson. Editor. Tho Hook; Lois Lavlsolo. Grumman Aerospaco Historian: Dave Lucabaugh: Gwen Rich. Archlvlsl. Naval Hlslorlcal Cenlor. Robe" J. Crossman end John Riley. Ships HlslO<\'. Naval Hlslorlcal Cenlor; Blanch Snyder. OP-SIID. Navy Dopartmonl. and all olhers who have asslslod In Ihls projecl Thank You.

JOHN M ELLIOTT MAJOR USMC (RET) Major Ellloll spent h,s early yoars In SonIa Barbara. Cahtotnla, where his Interost In naval avlaUon was In�tJatod by lho froquenl SlOPS of Navy and Marino Cotps alrcrall on cross-counlry fllghls 8S wall as vlsllS by Iho USS Loxlnglon. USS Soraloga. and Olhor copllOI shIps wllh lhelr floal plecos Roaliling a long limo doslro. he onll81 d In lhe US Marine Cotps In 1942 for four yoars Upon compiollon 0' boot camp hO was osslgnod to tho oviatiOfl ordnanco field whore ho was 10 OOtVO for !Wonty.four years During Ihls limo ho ootVOd In dlVO bomber end f10hlor squadrons. O&R feclll"•• and laughl In aviallon lechnlCBl schools

risIng 10 MaSlor Sorgoan l As an officer ho sotVod In flghlor and anack squadrons and as tho Group, Wing and Air Sialion Ordnance Oflleor In lha US and ovorllO.' Outing thIs ume he saw naval avialJon grow from 81nglo Cal 30t In tho rear soot 0' S80s to 8 nucloar dehvery capablhty Upon rOllrem nt he wont 10 tOO Smithsonian InStltulion os Chlof. CoIlecilonS Branch. Nallonal Armed ForceD Musoum Advisory Board. Wllh Iho d mlso of Iho concOPI for n nallonal mll,lary muooum ho bocomo IhO eontracl AdmInistrator for Ihe Smllhsonlan DUling IhollO yoar. ho bocamO well known to those restoring naval alrcreft. model bu,ldor. end OIhor museums lor h,. knoWlodgs on lho palnllng end mar1dng of US navaf olrcrOll Aftor olghlson years al Iho InS11lu11on ho hal r.lurned 10 Iho flold of naval ovfallon as as.1810nl hlslorlon und.r CNO (AIr Warfaro)

SECTION 1 AIRCRAFT COLORING AND PROTECTIVE COATING CHAPTER 1

1940·1949

A" ooon In Volume I. by January 01 19.0 Naval alrcrall had 00<:0«10 probably Iho mosl colonul rTlllllO'y alrcrall 01 Iho day Tho upper surface 01 the uppor wing on lacllcal air· CIOIt W06 Oraf'\go Yellow. wnh a chevron In tho sectIOn coloo. while oIl mol I surlocos woro Lrghl Groy wolh labllc sulfacos bOing Iinl5hed With Numlnum dope, Cowls were bllOhtly pOinled 10 ShOW belh !he socUon Ihe aircraft was OMJionod to and 118 posillon Within ,10 section SectIOn kmdors woro doslgnatod by a cokJr band Tn tho approprlato �oCllOn color aroun d tho all fuselago. Tolls wore colOr cod d 10 d05lgoole lhe paronl aircraft carrlor 10 which lhey woro aSSIgned C'UlSfJf and balliostllp Bsslgnrneni was ohown by • syslem 01 colored 8111POS on lhe hOllzonlal and vOlliesl tall surfoces, whilo str;pes and chocks In various cdora and combinations doslgnated the patrol aircraft WIngs Spoclal staff. ai' group comrn..1ndof. utility and marino corps ouefalt all carrlod their own coloflul and dfSlulCt,VD pIllnl schemes Such a sySlom was soon io chOngo rhO dovolopmonl 01 0 SUllablo camouflage SYSlom lor noval OlrCfol1 conlu\uOd 10 be a problem A IOllor hom lho Nov,,1 Aoso.rch Labe
On January 15. Ia-O. Commandor Alrcr.'I. Scoullng Foreo dllOOIOd lhal two PBVs in each PairOi WIng woro to bo comoullaged In accordanco with tho -TentatIVe Rcquiro­ menls lor Appllcalloo of Camouflage 10 Fiool Alrcr.'I." dnlad Oocember 19. 1939 In addllion. one PBY Irom Patrol Wing Two was 10 bo painted In lho night vallation

1'N3 Gntmm.In TOF, I AVMget al'TiM the thkteen .lleI'nale Red '00 Whn.e honzontal ttllpe5 on the rucsoer M dlreaed by CommancJer In elud Paollc. on 1loIctmbr23. la-I

14

Patcnt 2.190.691 was Issued on February 20. 1940. to Mr. McClelland Barclay for the camouflage

Practlcatly from the beginning

of naval aV\ation there has been an attempt to camouflage

01 aircraft Such

camouflage was to cause the Size and shape of the alfcraft to become Indlsllnguishable

aircraft.. tn the course of these expenments numerous concepts have been tried. One of the most namboyant was that proposed by McClel�nd Barclay. The principles of the BarClay camouflage concept was applied to the F2A·2. SB2U·2 and ST· I as shOWn in these examples which illustrate the limitless possibilities of geometric designs whkh could be applJed.

Drawings were Included

which Illustrated the concept rather than showing specific desIgns, A bold. domlnaltng design covenng the greater portIOn of the aircraft was first painted on lIs surface area These desIgns were generally trapezOIdal In shape and placed al an oblique angle relatNe to the airplane surfaces. wIth thelf vaOlshing point being other than the vanishing poInt

01 the alfcraft structure The color used was to make

the lines of the design more dlsUnct and apparent than the sllhouellB or outhne of the aircraft confuse the perspectIVe

This was Intended to

01 the alfcralt surface as to size

and shape. Other unbroken hnes of the design continued

from ono surface to another, such as wing

10 fuselage

Structures such as engine cowls and nacelles were to be broken up wIth designs to disgUise theIr aClual shape. In addtllQrl, designs having the jdenhCal forms were to be painted In close proximity to cause confusoo as to the actual tocahon 01 these bodies This IS shown in tho Side ViCW draWing whoro an engine cowl and nacelle have been painted on the side of the fuselage.

....__"000_ ..... NnOOO...cw. �. OIU'IC'''' t. ,� lAIICVo" u,..,

...J

-j

All dbtlngulshlng unit and setVlce markings were eliminated during this t05t of thO Barclay camounage.

NotlMlly. Wllh the olrCfOll ln lovol ilighi. 0 lolrly wolI·dolined line 01 dornarCBllon OXISIS oolwoon 100 brlghlly iIIumlnotOd upper Gurlocos and tho shadowy undor surfacos To eUm­ In{llo this IhO cok>ts nnd lones used In tho doslgns wore variod In tlccordonco 10 Iho nmounl of IIghl Slrtklng tho surfaco A hght and bullIont comblnOllon 01 coiofs. such 08 hrlghl Illuo ond whllO. woro Iho lwo 10nos spociliod lor Iho unclorourlncos of tho ollplMOS Tho uppar 8urfocos woro pnlnlod wnh dark r colors. such as do p bluo and dark gray, thot reflectod 108s tlOhl Ihan the undor sudeces Tho sido surfacos. which recoived an imormedimo amount of hOhl. woro pmnled In nOUIrOI Shados 01 bluo and gray This blanding 01 color. rollOCIOO a unllorm alT1O<Jnl 01 IIghl so lhai linos by whICh on obsorvor could dOlormlno the oClual nlrplono IlilhouollO wore ellmlnatod Because of Ihls tho obsorv r hnd only 0 conluslng ond mlsloadlng doslgn tlrrongomonl to uoo as 0 basis for dotormlnlno Iho shape nnd movomont of tho nhplon . Commnnd r Corrlor Division Ono CComCarOlv Ono). baSOd 01 NAS San Diogo. wos glvon Iho prolcel 01 ovaluntlng Ihls polnl schemo Two BrowslOr F2A·2. IWO Notlhrop 8T·I. lwo Vaughl SB2U·1 and lwo Douglas TBO· I an w II as a Voughl 03U·3 from Iho Ulllily Unll woro ns Igood 10 the projecl O,lloroni cOlT1O<Jllogo schomos woro nppUOd wllh lompornry nonspocular waler·based point No Idonillying markings nor nOilonal olroroll InSignia wOro cnrrlod on thoso SorslO(JO Air Group aircraft whllo operating from NAS No"h lolnnd or Iho corrlor Tosts wOro conductod ovor sovorot wooks and wOre ovaluolOO by a Camoulloga Board oxperloneOO novol OVllltOfI lhosa tosts Includod olr.lo·ol, combol undor v rylng WOOlher and "ghtlng condilions. a. w II as dlllls Wllh lhe n"olrcroll baliOrlGS board IhO Sarologo In all I 01. oalT1O<Jllogod and uncolT1O<Jltngod alrcroll oporalod logolhor As was 10 ba oxpoelod IhO garishly cnlT1O<Jllog d alrcr.'1 fIhowod up bailor Ih n Iho noncamoullogod. Itowov r. Iho nonSpoeulor palnlod olrcroll did nol roltoel the sun as did lhe brlghlly palnlOO 11001 Olrcroll, and ngoinsl dark bnCl
01

provldO any docop"on wllhln lhe modoralo 10 ClOGe rongs 01 300 yards C27. 32 m)

On the mallor 01 Iho rololivo VOlU08 lhe colors nnd doolgne bolng 10SIOd, Iho board r poolod Iho Old olory 01

01

Is It any wonder that theSe garishly painted aircraft showed up better than thOse nnlShed In the normal scheme?

Ihoso voluos baing dapondonl upon Iho background. AI oxlromo ranges tho colOrs dlsappearod and lho aircraft was rocognlzoblo by liS OUllino. The Barclay doslgns provldod 111110 concoalmont ovor molllod backgrounds bocauso 01 tho Speod of tho alrcralt In rolalion 10 tho baCkground. AgainSI a solid background. Iho camoullago aircroil landod 10 bo oasy 10 oPOI. II ona color blondod wllh Iho background II modo Iho olhor Slond oul mora. The colors used WOre crillclzod olso. MoSI wero consldored 100 dark or 100 IIghl Tho normal alumlnlzod lacquor on Iho unealT1O<Jllaoed control alrcroll proved 10 bo noorly Ihe corroct shado. The ono universally accoptod fOCI was thai 1101 or nonspoeular palnl was ossonllol rogordloss 01 Iho color. Olhor colors suggostod IOf furthor evaluation woro Gray. SlIvor Gray. Bluo and Groan. Tho linal obooN",lon 01 Iho board was Ihal ·pendlng Iho dovolopmon! 01 0 cOlT1O<Jllogo design which glvos optimum rosulls. 011 naval olrcroll osslgnod 10 military dutlos ba palnlOd a solid. nonrollocllng IIghl gray: lhe only controSllng colors 10 bo omployOO bolng the nOllonal Insignia and necessary 101l0rlng ond Idonlilicolion numbors " Tho board's rocommondollons wore ondorsad by ComCarOIV One and possad on 10 Commander Alrcroll Bonia Force CComAlrBaIFor). Vlco Admiral W,lliam F. Halooy Jr. A. Iho losl had shown lhol no ono syslOm was sullablo undor all condilions IIghl and background. Halsoy bollovod Ihol Iho boSI approach was 10 hovo a vorloly 01

01

schemos avalloblo. each baing doslgnad lor e spoeilic misolon Summing up his avoluallon ol lhe Barclay schema he nolOO lhal lhe cOIT1O<Jllago board's Ilndlngs only bora oul lhe o,porloneo wllh provlous cOlT1O<Jllago schemas. Which was "'01 the navy noodOO 10 poln; ItS oircroil In nonspoeulor polnls 10 ollmlnalo lIoshes Ond ollmlnolO Iho brlghl colors Ihol drow ollonllon 10 olrcrall In IIlghl. Commonllng Ihal "corrlor alrcrall and Olhors oporatlng ovor Ih wOlor should bo c"lT1O<Jllogod lundamonlally lor coneoalmonl " Ho coneurrOO wllh the IIndlngs ol lho board Ihol lhe limo hed como 10 roduco lhe vlslblilly of naval ."croll A/ong thesa llnos Halsoy rocommondOO Iho dlsconllnuonco 01 yollow on the uppor surlaco wings 01 corrlGr alrcrall.

01

01

ollmlnollon scellon markings. 10 bo ropiacod by a amnII goomolrlc shopo vlslblO only 01 cioso rongo.

3.

lonlng down Iho nOllonol aircroll Insignia wllh molllod aluminum pain!.

4.

ulillzlng the war oxporlenco 01 Iho boiligeroni. 10 detormlno the bost size for squadron alrplano numbors,

5.

tho dlscontlnuanco of colorod lails to Idontlfy corrior atr groups. suggostlng Iho odopllon of a small squoro. diamond. or olhor shopo 01 Ihe soma colors as prosenlly used to be painted on Iho vortlcal stabilizer,

6.

dlscontlnuo Iho uppor wing surloco chOvron or roduclng II In slzo 10 bo vlslblo 01 100 yards C274.32 mI.

7.

ollmlnotlon

8.

IhOI all olrcroll bo IInlshod In nonspoculor aluminum

lopsldo colors 01 all olrcrall ShOUld bo ollorod II IUluro rocommondatlon indlcatos tho dosirabillty Cd)

$quadron InsigniA and gunoory e's may bo r lalnod

bUI should bo roduced In slzo 10 3 Inches C76:l cm) maximum lor squadron Insignia and 3 lnehos C7 6:l em) lor gunnory e·s. All Olhor markings should b rOIOlnod and. excopi lor notional Insionio. should ba no largor Ihan nocossary to sorvo tholr purposo wllhln n rango 01 hV(J hundrod yards C457 20 m)" conlmuod on p 24

01 squadron Insignia.

corrospondlng to ihe shado of aluminum lacquor currontly in use.

.

Based on 011 Iho calT1O<Jllogo 10SIS. Including Ihe Barclay schomo. Holsey rocommondod camoulloglng all carrlor·

.

---

based aircraft with nonspocular aluminum undorsurfaces and nonspocufar aluminum, moUlod WIth dull Sea Gleon uppor surlacos Alrcroll 10 bo usod In nlghl oporallons should hovo Iho undorsurlacos IInlshed In nonspecular Block. All 01 Iheso rocommondotlons woro lorwardod 10 Admiral Jamos O. Richardson. Commondor In Chlol, U.S. FIOOI CClnCUS). In addition 10 IhO baslo color schomo ho consldorod Iho problem 01 rocognilion and morllorlous markings Tho oasy solullon would bo 10 abolish Ihom all. Howevor. he did nol Ihlnk Ihls 10 be olihOr doslroblo or necessary. The nallonal alrcr.'l lnalgnla hod 10 bo rOlalnod $quadron InSignia and Gunoory "e"s possossod a moral valuo. whllo the romalnlng markings posoossOO a 10cHcai value and It was lhoughl could nol ba abandoned wllhoul odvorsoly ollocllng lactlcal oiflcloncy. Admiral Rlchardson's roport 10 Ih Buroou of Aoronaullcs summar/lod tho mottors 8S follows "Co) All palnl usad on allcroll Should bo non·speculor and all alrcrall po"s and 1IIIIngs should bo dullod so as nol 10 rollocl llghl

Cb) POinting should bo unllorm ralher Ihan composOO 01 largo oroos 01 contrasllng shapos and colora

(0) AlI shlp·bocod olrcrall Should bo polnlod IIghl gray and

II patrol planas should bo p Inlod Iho samo OXCOPI IhOI surlacoo 80 n Irom al>OvO should bo bluo gray ThO

I I

.',, ='.1 . ..., or

OPPOSite Top: Mdnne ScOUting Squadron Three was the only Manne Corps 5quadron to pantClp.lte 10 the neuuahty patrol with the natl()l'lJl aircraft inSIgnia on me forward pan of their aircraft as!.hown on the Crumm.1n JZF-2A Opposite Left Center Manln PBZM Mat'5 cleany!.hOWs Ihe Orange VellOw being earned around tne leading edge and aft on the under 5Urface Red warning Stripes on the hull are to alert small boat crews of the propellH danger area. Opposite Right Center These OSZUs of\lO-3 assigned to the USS MISSISSIPPi (B8·41) are temporarily oased aShOre on wheelS rattler man the SIngle neat Opposite Lower Left, A Naval Aircraft Factory N3N·3 pnmary trainer In Orange VellOW overall except (or the gear struts, Opposite Lower Right A CuntSS SNC-1. two-seat. adVanced trainer. Orange Yellow was applied on tnc upper surface of both WingS and thefr IN(Jing edge. RIght; nus SikOrsky JAS-I afVJ-' shows 1M black bottom of the WingtiP floats and hull up to the normal klad water line Below; Th� TBO·' afTorpedo Squadron Three (VT-3) showS tne bnll13O\ paint SCheme for US Navy aircraft poor to December 1940.

Douglas TBD· 1 oJVT·3

Opposite Top: Note that on this PBV the Orange Yellow stopSjust above the leading edge of the wing on a structural joint. Opposite: Martin PBM·! assigned to vp· 56. The chevron and lower half of the cowls are White in accordance WIth the marking system about to be phased out. The Orange Yellow on the wing wraps around the leading edge except where deicer boots are Installed. Above: A I..ockheed RSQ-3 assigned to the Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics Is identified by the dark blue tails and engine nacelles. Right: The Curtiss XSB2C-l Is a good example of the prewar paint scrteme of Ught Gray metal surfaces. Aluminum dope on fabric surfaces with Orange Yellow on the upper surface of the wings. Below: The night line at NAS Miami in 1942 illustrates the variety of markings being applied to training and former combat aircraft by the Training Command.

Left: A Consolidated PBY·S. Catalina. being washed fOllOwIng a patrol over the Atlantic. 80",.,,, Squadron t....r. of FIghting Squadron rIVe (Vf·S) fIylng a Grumman F3F·3. NOle hOW the Orange Yellow of the upper wing Is carried around the leadIng edge to eUmlnate any aerodynamk problem.

Right: Vought OS2U·l With a dai'X blue fuselage assagned to the Commander. U.s. Fleet . Below: A quiCk local camouflage was used on aIrcraft of Patrol Wing Ten prior to rts evacuation from the Pnlllpplnes.. The color5 used can not be determined.

�Propcller ups should continue 10 be painted with warning colors, since lhase constitute an asset to safety and are not bright with the propeller In mot)()O •

deliveries 01 aircraft and that suitable paint be supplied for applying these policies to the painting of all aircraft naN in service or delivered prior 10 applicalM:>n of the changes.·

aluminum and pale blue used for the day sky camouflage gave the wings a translucent appearance. but did not add to concealment

day sea camouflage would then be varied to meet toeal condrllons ThiS paint scheme as applied to SU·1. Serral Number 9073. shown In the accompanying draWing

He also concurred with the proposal to deliver SBO·2 alrplanos WIthout markings, except the national aircraft Insignia, since an amount 01 testing would have to be done to determine suitable sizes of markings. The final decision on the sizes should follow coordinated consideration by the Bureau of Aeronautics and Commander Aircraft Battle Force. which should be done as quickly as possible. The upper surfaces, however. should be light gray Instead of

It is not known exactly whal cok>rs were used in these tests. However, this appears to be the basis for the three tone

Additional tests were conducted to evaluate mocilfled verSions of the day sky camouflage. The results of these

The Corrmander Aircraft. Scouting FOICC on May 13. 1940. dlfecled that any aircraft on which camouflage had

dark green

c,nCus requested that the pot,cy outlined "above be followed. axcapt where delay Is caused thereby. ,n all future

paint scheme which was adopted three years later and also the bases of the Keith Ferris' camoullage scheme of the 70s with a canopy painted on the under surface of the fuselage. The Navy Aircrall Factory conducted camoullage tests us­ ing 03U and SU type aircraft painted in accordance with the December 19. instructions. The first report. dated February 12. t940. concluded that the ncnspeeular dark green gave good day sea camoullage and was superior to both the dark gray and dark blue. Both the nonspecular

tests were reported to the Chief of the Bureau of Aero­ nautics on April 22. 1940. Alter trying various combinations of the recommended COlors and locations for the diviSion between sea and sky camoullage. II was determined that the nonspecular pale gray gave the best deception and translucency on lhe underside of the wings where the light did not cause direct reflection It was also concluded thai a darker shade of cOOr would be requited on the fuselage and tall surfaces Since these were the surfaces where atl the light was rellected. The dark green shades used lor the

been applied was prohibited tram patllClpaling '" Ihe Neutrality Patrol As expecled, reports received from the Patrol Wings can· firmed the need for mochhcallons of the colors used In the drfferent locales OpinIOnS on the effectIveness of thO camouflage used and ItS mems differed from uM 10 unrt For example. Patrol Squadron Eleven on June 11 HMO. reported that the sea camouflage was too green for thO San DIego area It was their belief that patlol planes Ihat were to operate In Ihe Paclhc should be camouflaged wllh

Loft, Voughl SezU·I .sslgned 10 5couUng Squadron One (VS·I) In U1e overall Ughl Gray scheme with While Mal1dngs.

blue-gray rather than green-gray colors Palto! Squadron Twolve. also based In San Diogo. reporting dunng the samc month. praIsed Ihe nonspeculsr finish and commentod thai a camoullaged PBY was practIcally Indlscornablo 01 a dlstanco of 5 mllos (8.05 km), whll0 the nlandard finIShed alrcralt was easily seen, No comment wns made aboUi colors In this 10110f Two SOC a"crall !rom lho USS MARYLAND were also camouflaged In aCCOfdancc with the tentative camouflage doroclivo A reporl sobml11ed on June 25. 1 940 . by Com· mandor Balllcships. Bank) Force. clled the most ImpOn8n1 observatIOns from units Of the BatHe Force on theSe aircraft Tho comments v8riod from tho statement that against a clear blue sky background tho camoullaged aircraft were more clearly viSible, to the obsorv81k>n from above wIth the Goa as a background. thaI tho camoullage was very effec­ tive. Onco again II was shown that the greatest problem was In tho sky camoullage sinca the aircraft stili appeared as a black sdhoueno. The lack of reflection was CCIt1YOOf1tod on by practically all those reporting as the gloatest factor In not oolng able to detect the aircraft.

Additional tests were conducted by VT-S onboard the USS YORKTOWN using TBo·I alrcrall. Following Ihe basic instrucllons in Iho tentative camoullage directives and the three cotors recommended by the Naval Research Labora­ lOry, three aircraft were painted as follows. with aU vertical and underneath surfaces of nonspecular aluminum: Aircraft 1 - top surfaces solid dark green. Aircraft 2 - top surfaces dark green. slightly mottled wtlh nonspecular aluminum.

Right: F2A Brewster Buffalo of SCoullng Squadron 201 (VS·201). Below, Tho end of the colorful paint schemes Is shown on the F2A·2 ofVF·3. Squa<:Jron iMignia suc.h as the FelIX the cat were soon to be eliminated on aircraft..

Outing later tests the dark green was replaced WIth dark gray, which In turn was replaced by black The vanations between aircraft remained the same throughout tho tests, On July 6. 1940. Commandor Alrcrall. Bailie Force. sub· milled his report on the tests conducted In the San Diego

was seen as a sllhouellO at any appreciable nllitudo Whon compared WIth other aircraft of tho squadron. th( sea camoullage reduced the viSibility of tho cnmouUaqod aircraft as much as 80 percont 0'.1 r sea oloas Oork 9100n provided Iho bost concealmont followed by dark oroy ond

sent any distinct advantage over the standard aluminum

black. with slightly decreased oUecU'Jonosti In thai ardor All reporls sUessed Iho absenc� of bright cokH's as ono of the hIghest conttlbulory causes to the low VISibIlity of tho

painting used on Naval aircrafl With eithor one the aircraft

atrcraft

and Hawalian areas. As In previous tests, it was reported that the nonspecular aluminum apparently did nol repre·

Aircraft 3 - lop surfaces dark green. heavily monIed With nonspecular aluminum. The red talls were lightly sprayed wilh nonspecular aluml· num, which dulled the red yet stili allowed IdentifIcation at close range. U.S. NAVY and squadron Idenlillcalion on Ihe fuselage were trealed in the sarno manner. All other Identillcatlon. Incfuding the national aircraft insignia, were covered with camouflage paint.

Ldt: 5B05. F4Fs. and TBOs In the overall

Ught Gray scheme aboard the uss SARATOGA (CV·3) 1>e1ng turned up prior 10

takeoff !any to t94 I

21

. -�

. --

Left.: A Curtiss SBC-4 overall Ught Gray was assigned to the HeadquarteB of the Second Maline Airaafi Wing (MAW-2). Below, This Douglas SeD·3 of Scotrung Squadron 3 (VS-3) was painted Blue Green on top and sides and Ught Gray on undersurfaces with the lettering In White as shown In this September 30. 194\ photo.

Convnander Patrol Wing FOUR ., NAS Seanle, Washing· Ion. reponed on July 19, 1940, lhal wh,le lha Slandard dark

green camouflage blended well With me Ioca1 lerrain a

-blue sleel� coklc had proved to be more effectIVe under

the normal conditions In that area.

As the Waf In Europe expanded. all US Naval aircraft con­ vened from Iheir colorful markings 10 wartime camouflage. On December 30, 1940, the Bureau 01 Aeronautics issued InslruclLOOS 10 all commands concerning the camoullage of Fleet alrcralt. All ShiP' based type aircraft. including those thaI might not actualty be operated aboard ship. were to be painted nonspecular light gray. Patrol aircraft were to be

paInted the same light gray. except for surfaces that could be viewed from above. which were to be paInted Blue

Gray The exact shade of Blue Gray was not specified. In fact no dIrective has ever been located that specifically Idenufled this color. New aircraft were to be paInted In Ihls manner except in cases where delay in delivery might result

The

nonspecular

material

supplied

'or

these

conversJOnS was a lacquer base which could be applied dlreclty over the metal fiOlsh or doped fabric Because joint operall()nS were becomulQ lllOfe

common. a

tions these colors were then used by all branches of the military in

the US and Great Britain. Towards this end. on

Jantrary 7, 1941, Ihe color names True Blue, Lemon Yellow, and Willow Green were changed respectively to Ught Blue. Ught

Yellow.

and

Ught

Green.

The colors were not

changed. just the names as they applied to the porcelain enamel maSlers then in effect However. this does not necessarily mean that the Light Blue, Light Green, and Ught Yellow colors mentioned in previous joint dIrectives

were lhe same shades referenced in this directive.

On February 26. 1941. the Bureau of Aeronautics ex­ panded on

the nonspecular painting instructions to include

amphibian type aIrcraft not based aboard ship. These aircraft were to be

painted

the same as previously

specified for patrol planes, which was nonspecular Light Gray. except for surfaces seen from above. which were to be painted nonspecular Blue Gray. While the February 26. 1941. leller from the Bureau of Aeronautics directed that patrol alfcral! were 10 be painted nonspecular Ughl Gray, except surfaces seen 'rom above. il dId not specify where the dividing line was to be. To

compalible colol'lng across the Allied corrvnand was desir­

standardize the painting of all PBY and PB2Y-2S. Com­

developed In late t 94 ,. With just a few ineVitable excep-

structions on May 7. 1 9 4 1 . that the dividing line should be

able. In the standardlZ81m process a set of colors was

mander Aircraft. Scouting Force. Pacific Fleet. issued in­

""0

fOliC

",\I""

.C"'-"'I

the chine. This required the under portion of the hull afler­ section to be painted Blue Gray The Fleet Aircraft Tactical Unit was Instructed 10 conduci tests on a temporary night camouflage paint for use on Naval aircraft Several paints were lested with the crltena being ease of removal and thai there be no effect on the permanent flnish or camouflage effectiveness. A report submitted on June 30. t 941. indIcated that none of the paints tested satisfactorily fulfilled the first two require­ ments. Also. the paints finally adopted had 10 be non­ specular and the enllre aircraf!, not lust the 0wer surfaces. had to be painted In such a manner as to eliminate any reflection trom searchhght beams or moonlight There have been numerous references 10 Navy aircraft being painted green. A diligent search has failed to locale any official correspondence to substantiate thiS. With all

the vanous colors that were being tried it is poSSible that there were some aircraft that had been painted green. One piece of corroborallng documentation has been found in one 01 the broken Japanese messages sent from the Philippine area. A dlplomallc message dated August 2.

1941, staled. .... . 1 have heard that among the naval planes there are those which have been observed to be painted a light green. Though

I

am

making

additional

secret

Investigations that is all for the time being." The Btue Gray painting instructions were further modified on August 20. 1941. when Commander Aircraft. Banle Force. directed that all camer-based aircraft in AlTcralt. Battle Force. be painted nonspecular ught Gray except fOf those surfaces seen from above. which were to be painted nonspecular Blue Gray. A delinite line of demarcaTion between the Ught Gray under surface and Blue Gray upper surface was to be aVOided by feathering In the two colors. AIrcraft such as the TBO- l . which had wings that folded so as 10 expose Ihe undersurfaces to viSibility from above, were to have those surfaces painted Blue Gray. These instrucuons coveTIng the Blue Gray and Ught Gray cok>r scheme were further expanded on October 13. 1941.

to Include all fleet aircraft The Bureau of AeronaUlJcS on

December 26. 1 94 1. Ofdered the cmor scheme to be used on all shore-based aircraft except lf8mlng models 8SStQned 10 training cenlers and reserve bases

Above: Alrtnh rectivea from tile Arrrrt cOU.ld rttaU1 thltr ongNI pilllt scheme at the discretiOn of the commandIng ofI'k:fr It tnt rtph'lUng WOUJd cause an exc!$SN! fnctea.5oe to tI\e woOdoId

In order to eliminate any confUSion over the numerous instructions (elaling to the Blue Gray paInt scheme. Ihe Bureau of Aeronautics Issued a consolidated dIrective on

29

Left: A Hall PH-3 operated by the Coast Guard shOwing the two tone parnt scheme applied 10 one of the few biplanes to be so painted.

February 6, 1942. which canceled all prevIOUS directives and clanfled pohcy All lleet- and shore-based aircraft would be paInted In the IWO-lone camouflage scheme 01 81ue Gray and LJghl Gray Primary and advanced uainlng aircraft assigned 10 or Inlended for aSSignment to uaining cenlers Of' reserve bases would be painted In accordance With SA-lSd, Specd,catlOll tor the ProtectlOfl ot Nava' Auc/sft and Allcraft Palls which was in the process of being ISsued Obsolescent aircraft and then current combat types used for training purposes could be painted either In the standard or nonspecular finish With camouflage markll'\gs at the dlscreuon of the Commanding OHicor of !he slatlOO to which they were assigned 80cause the mission of the Training Command was so dlfferont from thai of tho Fleol Squadrons. II was only logical to conllnue the practice of painting such aircraft In accordance to Instructions peculiar 10 Ihe uaining

painted in accordance with the Bureau of Aeronautics letter dated February 6. 1942. Special painting as authorized by this letter was to be applied 10 aircrafl In the various squadrons as follows:

VN 1DB - Overall Orange Yellow. VN2D8 - Two-tone camouflage. VN3D8 - Upper surface of wlng(S) glossy Or ange Yellow. Remainder of aircrah glOssy Aircrah Gray. VN4DB - PBY-Is a nd newer models two-tone camouflage. Obsolescent types remain in old pai nt scheme VN5D8 - Pnmary seaplanes overall Ora nge Yellow. except floats which were glossy Aircrah Gray. OS2Us two-tone camouflage. Tra nsport a nd VM U nIt - twa-lo ne camoullage.

loqulrements, NAS Pensacola. Local Process Specification No. 8·�2. dated March 12. 19�2. specified that att aircraft

SA� 15d was issued March 26. 1942, with an effective date of April 24, 1942. and specified the painting of Primary

operallng from Pensacola and oullYlng fields would be

Training, Advanced Training and Utility aircraft.

Left: Grumman TBF In the two tone paint scheme of Blue ar.y.no light Groy _ Moy I942.no

JonuiIry .943.

Primary Training aircraft were to be painted overall glossy Orange Yellow. except the landing gear Of lloats which were to be finished glossy Aircraft Gray. Advanced TrainIng aircrafl Vlere to have the upper surface of the wing and aIleron (upper wing and ailerons only In case of biptanes) finished glossy Orange Yetlow. This color was to extend around the feading edge of the wing and extend aft on the fower surface approximately five percent of the chord. wilh the colors 10 be blended In such a man­

structural spaces were to be IInlshed Olther With hnled Zinc Chromate primer. or similar 10 other Intenor spaces 01 lhe d,screllon 01 the Inspector at the manufacturer'S faCility TInled llnc Chromate pruner vaned In COlof rrom yellow 10 dark green

The queslJOn of camouflaging Itghter-than-a,r aircraft had been under Investigation SInce 1933 On July 27. 19�2. a

ner as not to form a ridge or other aerodynamic protrusion. The remaining external surfaces were to be palmed glossy

report was submitted by the Naval Aesearch LDbOf3!Of'Y concernIng a malle 81ue Gray pamt Idenllrled as Blimp Blue Two L Class .. rshlps. one btue and thO Other thO standard alumInum flOish. had been floHn together and

Aircraft Gray.

observed end on and broadside at sclcclcd rangos

Utility types. unless otherwise specified. were 10 be

finished similar to service types in Ihe two tone scheme. Cockpits of service aircraft, other than flying boaiS. were to be finished in a dull dark green to match the Army-Navy Color Siandard. Generally. other personnel spaces were 10 be finished in semIgloss pastel green or blue. No exact shades were specifled. but were subject to approval of the Bureau of Aeronautics In each case. Cargo space and all

� c � JMLt� � � INl � � � c � JNl �� V TYPtCAL SERVtCE B"ANCH LETTERING

Top: A good example 01 hOW the two tone

paint scheme faded under the tropical sun. Note tOe unpainted patches on the fin and roughly applied aircraft number on this HenderSon Field. Cuadalcanal. based Marine Corps S80. Middle Lett: Vought OS2Us In two tone paint scheme with Red and White striped tails and national aircraft Insignia In all six locations. AbOve: These OS2U-2 at NAS Corpus Christl. Texas. In June 1942. are painted In the two tone scheme but the wings nave an Orange Yellow upper surface. Left: Grumman F4F-4P aboard the USS RANGER (CV-.) during the Invasion of North Africa. NOll! that most of the �ndlng gear Is painted with Interior Creen used on internal structural components while the Wheet wefls and oleo are painted White to blend _ adjacent surfaces.

Lett, Vought F4U· t D Conalr In three tone camoufl3ge. The center11ne fuel tank Is painted

In two cokn: In an attempl lO conform to the bask:

camouflage, A definite color Is apparent In this photo from the Sea Blue of the upper- tusetage and the Insignia Blue of the national aircraft insignia, Bottom: A new Grumman F6F·3, Hellcat. shown over Long islanct New Yor1< during the summer of 1943. The: new

national lnslgnla. ShOwn on thb HeUcat. was in force barely three months before it was

changed.

Dcpcnd,ng 00 the lighting condillOllS and angle to the viewer. sometimes one and sometimes the other would be the most vIsible The reductIOn In Y1slbllity achieved by the blue palnl. under certain conchUons. appeared to be due largoty to II being a malte hnlsh rather than because of ItS cok;)r As a rosult of these lests camouflage Vias not apphed 10 hghtcr-lhan-8,' aircraft Palma squadrons operating In the North Allanite found thai undor hazy conditiOnS the standard two-lone carnoullage was not sallsfactory for their operations against submamlOS It was requested by Commander Patrol Wings AllanIte that Patrol Wing SEVEN operating In the Nowloundland/Groenlond/lceland area be authoflzod to paint tholr alrcralt overall glossy White, ThIs request was approvod on Seplembor 13. 1942 Commandor In Chlel. Unllod Slalos Fiool 101l0r FFI/F39·5. dalod OClobor 30. 1942. speciliod tho Bluo Gray color on tho upp�r surfaces of Naval aircraft to be Munsell color 5 5PB 2 6/3 3 11 has nol boon delerminad II lhis Is aClually

the color that was applied. It IS beheved that it was an interim colof under conSideration. On Oocember 2 1 . 1942. the Chiol 01 the Bureau 01 Aero­ nautK:s sent a leuer to the Manager, Naval Aircraft Factory, concerning the proper shade of Zinc Chromate to use, It had been agreed by lhe Arrrrt Air Forco 10 adopl the Navy cockpit green as the standard color for tinted Zinc Chromate primer, It was also agreed to change the name of this color to Interior Green. SR·2C. Specrlication lor Exterior Colors. InSignia and Marking of Naval Aircraft dated January 5, 1943. directed that aircraft be painted with the new basic camouflage scheme. This was the most elaborate camouflage used on US Navai aircraft during World War U. It must be remem· bered that the basic directive applied to aU aircraft, every­ thing Irom a small F4F to a large PB4Y. The variations used were extensive because of the complexities Involved In properly applying it. This scheme utilized the general principle 01 Counlor·ShadingICountor-Shadowlng.

Right: A Vought OS2U·3, KingfISher. shown In standard three· color carnout\age,

When a round object is seen from the side WIth the light coming from above (the most corMlOfl way of seeing an aircrall). lhe shaded bollom blends gradually Inlo lhe lighter upper porlion Counler·Shadlng is accomphshed by painting this object dark at the lap and hght at Ihe bottom and then gradually blending lhe two together The rounded surface appears 10 have lost itS form and is a flat mtxhum gray when lighted Irom above The effect of the shadows cast by the horizontal airfOils on the fuselage can be minimized by lighteni/lg the coklr of the areas where these shadows normally fell. This is the principle of Counter-Shadowing, This camoullage scheme required the use of semigloss Sea Blue. nonspecular Sea Blue, Intermediate Blue and nonspecular Insignia White. All horizontal airfoil surfaces seen from above were finished In semigloss Sea Blue. The sUght shine of these surfaces tended 10 malch the chang­ ing shine of the sea. Care had 10 be laken not to apply this semigloss to the rounded surfaces of the fuselage, the hull. or the leading edges of airfoils where il would cause glare. Nonspecular Sea Blue was applied over the top portion of the fuselage and around Ihe leading edge of the airfoils extending approximately 5 percent aft on the lOP surface All honzonlal airfOIl surfaces viewed trom below were painted nonspecular Insignia White. Aircraft With wings that folded so as to expose the loWer surfaces to viSibility from above had these surfaces finished in Intermediate Blue Vertical surfaces of the fin and rudder assembly were fin· Ished with Intermediate Blue_ The sides of the fuselage were graduated from the nonspecular Sea Blue al the top 10 the nonspecular InSignia Whlto at the bottom so that thero was no nollcoablo hne of demarcauon berwoon IhO colors The tooo 00 thOSO curved surlaces whero \hoy approached tho vorlicaJ was approXlfnatoty Intorn'l8dtato Blue Care had to bo taken not to leI the wt1ito movo up Ihe sldo beyond a line the tangent 01 whoeh was 30" from the honzontal bocauso of glalo Engtne nacelles woro 110810<1 the same a. the lusclago

the Atea. 0/ the lusclogo normally 11'1 the shodowa casl hOffzontol al/fods wero Counlor-Shado'oYed With nonspec· utar InSigma Wh
by

Iinos

Left: Curtiss SB2C-3 Helldiver in the thn!e·tone paint SCheme. Note the transition from Sea Blue-Intermediate Blue-Insignia White on the forward fuselage. Middle Left: This Grumman F6F shO'Ns how an airplane. viewed from belOw. should appear to be White with the edges Shading Into Intermediate Blue. Middle Right: Curtiss SB2C carries a large Identification number on the cowl whkh Is only a sequential number not a unit identification number.

Right, This Vooght F4U·I 0 clear1y shows Ihe Intermediate Blue tall color. The neces5lty of walking on the painted wing surface soon wore the paint ott. as can be seen on this training squadron
A Bureau of Aeronautics leller dated January 30. 1943, made the follOWing colors obsolete: Dark Blue. Blue Gray, and Ught Gray. This is the only reference that has been lound which indicales the termination of special staff aircraft painting. It also left Ihe decision of whether or not 10 repainl !raining aircraft received in the Army Air Force colors up to the Commanding Officer 01 the unit receiving them.

•

--.-.

0

- _. -

Investigation and tesling of camouflage schemes for alfcraft involved in antisubmarine operations showed that the standard three-lone camouflage scheme Vias not surlable On July 19. 1943. Commander Alrcrall. A"�nllC (COMAIR·

lANT). sent a message to all aIrcraft units under his contra{ specifying two new antisubmarine warfare paint schemes. Scheme I was for use in areas where the prevailing weather was clear or clear with broken clouds. This. In general, meant the southern United Slates seaboard. the Gull, Caribbean and South American areas. The topside was to be painted nonspecular Dark Gull Gray. The sides were to be painted nonspecular Light GUll Gray, while the

and trailing edges of the aIrfoil at ItS root which, were 15°

station to which these aircraft were aSSigned.

'rom the hOrtzonral Camouflaged floats Vlere to be p8Jnted nonspecular Sea Blue on Ihe lOP surfaces down 10 lhe chine. and nonspec· ular Instgnla While on the bottom surfaces up to lhe chine. ThiS basic scheme could be modified at the discretIOn of the Force Corrvnander for other Ihan ship-based aircraft. Obsolescent alrcrah. then current combat types and other aircraft used lor operation training could be painted With oUher the camouflage scheme or the noncamouflage scheme at the discretion of the Commanding Officer of the

The basic noncamoullage scheme 01 glossy Orange Yellow on the upper surface of the wings, extending around the leading edge and back on lhe under surface approXimalely fIVe percent of the chord, with the remainder of the aircraft painted glossy Aircraft Gray, remained in effect. Retractable landing gear. either wheel or float, was painted to match adjacent surfaces when retracted. Fixed landing gear, either wheel or float, was painted glossy Aircraft Gray or Orange Yellow to match the remainder of the aircraft Non­ carnou1laged noal SIrUIS were painled 10 malch Ihe lloais.

bonom was painted glossy Insignia While. The Jeading edges of airfoils. engine cowl openings. reduchon gear housing. InSide of the engIne nose cowt flng. propeller hub and propeller blades out to the d,ameter of the cowl flng were to be painted nonspecular White As was done In the three·tone scheme. areas of the fuselage. hull and engIne nacelles thai were under horizontal aIrfoils were to be whitened to Ughlen the shadow areas Scheme II was for use In areas where the prevaIling weather was overcast or heavily clouded. This, in general, meant the middle and IlOf'thern United States seaboard and lhe North AtlantiC areas. In this scheme the topside was to be nonspecular Gray. The sides were 10 be nonspecular White and the bonom glossy InSignia White All other areas

to be as deSCribed In Scheme I In bolh schemes U'lefe was to be no hard hne or abtupi change In 1000

--�

--

ThiS message authof'lzed all Fleet Air WingS (now title IOf Paln,1 WingS) and CommandIng Oll'cefs of oscort camefS to paint altctaft undl"r lholt COOYnand depending on lhelr geographtc Jocahon Howevor. thiS auth()(lty was granled for altcralt employed In antlsubmarrno operatIOnS onty vthen auack by enemy aircraft was not PfObab1c

Ceft: Cuniss S03C-3 on wheefs with the under surface of the (OIdlng wings painted Blue Instead of white. No attempt has been made to blend the cOkln at the Wing hinge line.

Rlght: General Moton TBM· IC dearty ShowS the Counter· Shadowing to help eliminate the shadow caused by tile hOrizontal Stablliz.er and the wing. Note the treatment of the radar fairing on the WlJ'lO as though It was an engine nacelle. TIlls aircraft is assigned to NAS Patuxent Rrver for technical testing. SR·1S With thIS In mind. I have wrll1en tho 100Iowong based

dated 157. NO Bullelln Almy-Navy Aeronaullcal September 28. 1943. ColOrs list of Standard Aircraft Camouflage. superseded all prevIOUs color standards for Navy carnoul/age colors Army· Navy Aoronaullcal Bulletin No 166. daled December

on lhe Grurmtan A"crall Englnoe"ng Corporauon Report No 2040B on lhe TBF·t andTBM-l. dalod March t5. 1944

.

I

---

J

4. 19113. Colors List of Standard Aircraft Glossy, was cstabllshed as tho ollicial deSIgnatIOn for the colors con­ talnod on thc porcelain enamel maSler panels In effect since 1933 See Appendix G lor color names and numbors as specilled by thoso bulloltns

Tho Instructlons concerning painting of folding wings was speclhed In moro detail Aircraft haVing wings that fOld so as 10 oxPOSO the undor surface to view from above, such as tho FI1U. wore to havo tho vislblo surfaces paInted non· specular Intermedlato Blue. Tho Blue of the OUiOr panel oolng blended Into the WhIte of the centor SOChon Inboard

---

of tho Wing fold in order to provent carrying any while onto a surfaco that could be soon from above and cause glare when the WingS wore folded Of course aircraft which had wings lhal would normally Ioid bUl had nc 100ding mechan· Ism Installed. as In tho caso of some FGs bUill wllh hxed

The basic noncamouUage paint scheme was now an overall aluminum color. UHF and VHF rod-lype anlennas could be painlod in Orange Yellow al Iho d,scr.lton 01 1he Commanding Ollicer. Olher Iypes 01 amenna. wero 10 be finished In

WingS for tho Manno Corps, did not have to be painted in thIS manner Howover, In the Interest of simpliCity lOt' the manufaCIUlor and to ohmlnate tho necessity of stocking

38

asscmbly Aller a.sembly. when all abradod and scralch,od areas had been louched up, a final coat 01 dull green pmnor was applied overall. oxcepUon lhose areas which were to receive a coal of dull green lacquer

I!rewall .1 Slalion H·12 10 Ihe lorward side ol lhe bulkhoad localed 01 Slation H 107. The bomber's comp.l1mont IS Identified as thai porllon of the Inlorior oXlondlng alt f,om Slatton H I 0 7 10 Slation H263 This area and all Iho brackets, supports. rolnforcernonls used for structural purposes, controt handle shahs, containers. and llootlng Included In the 8OOtion were to have a flnat coat of dull groen lacquor. Tho motal interior of lhe canopy. wlndshlold, gun turret. pilot and gunner seals were also to be flnlshOd with duli greon lacquer. Tho Instrument panels WOIO to have lwo IInlsh coal. 01 block enamol

oporaung In combat aroas. plus Iranspon llying boals. wore 10 be camoullaged wilh lhe basic camoullage schemo Ambulance aI/craft were 10 boar no dlsllnctlvo markings.

Cemoull.god lloal. were now 10 be parmod Inlermed'ala Sluo on top surfaces down to the chine Nonspecutar Wh,to was 10 bo used on bottom surfacos up to the chine. excopl on thOse penton, Ihal eXlondod beyond lhe WingS Of lusclage and woro consequenlly viSible Irom above ThIS oxpcsod penron 01 lhe IIOaI was 10 be palmod nonspecular So. Blue Noncamoullagod IlOal. could now be palnlod A1ununum. Alrcrell Gray or Orango Yollow

reqUired all IntQuor

fuselage surfaces to receIVe one coat of Zinc Chromato pmner and one coat of dull green pruner during dotall

The fore and aft cockpits are ldenllflod as thai portion of the aIrplane Jntortor extondlng from tho nfl side of tho

SR·2d. daled December 19113. with an ellecuve dalO 01 March 5. 19.4. spcclhed lhal land·based and amphibian transport Utility and ambulance aircraft not operated In com­ bat Oleas, wore 10 bo aluminum In color, All of these typos

two typOS 01 WingS In the supply system, It IS believed thai all outor Wing panels wore painted tntermodUlIO Blue on tho undor surlace by the manufacturer Aircraft having WingS that fold 10 os not to expose tho under surface 10 VIOW from abOvo. such as tho TBF, continued to have tho onllte undor surface pOlntOd white

The specifications fOt' the TBM-l

accordance Wllh lhe camoullage scheme 01 adjacenl pall. ol lhe airplane.

--

depending on lha a"crall mlSSron Camoullagod IIOaI Slrul. wefe to be painted nonspecular Inlermedlate Btue The upper ends 01 large struts could be Counter-Shadowed Propeller spinners were to be palnlod nonspecutar Intor­ medlalo Bluo When lhe airplano was ncl camoullaged. they wore to match adjacent surfaces The InterIOr 01 tho engllO cowt on camoullaged aircraft was to be nonspocular Black

Amendmenl 1. 10 SR-2d. dalod March 13. 1944. made numerous changos to tho basic Instructions. Aircraft painted In the standard three-tone camouflage were now to be overall glossy IInlsh Wherever semigloss ", nonspoc· ular palnl had been spocilled in lhe basic InSliuc"ons. IhCSO same colors were 10 be glossy thiS change 10 lhe glossy I,nish was mado 10 Improve lhe aerodynamic char· actotlstics as well as make upkeep easier Fighter aircraft wora now 10 be palnlod ovorall glossy Soa Blue. While 1here Ole numerous rocords 1hal documem lhe oIIiCial extenor palntJng r8qUlfOmonts In detrol, the palnung Of tho i lerior Is dllllCull 10 doc""""'t Wllh 1he vague wording of n

InlerlO( surfaces such as bollcrsnks. push-pull tubes. removable fittings. and other components that rocoivod considerable handling in sorvk:e wore 10 rocelvo two fInal coalS of nonspocular Lighl Gray. On lha TBM-l lhe Inlerior 01 1he englno cow1lng and lor· ward surfaco of tho flrowall and engine structures wore to be finished Wllh dull green primer However. on lhe TBF· l .

lhe 11(8wail and engine SlfUCluros wero t o be flnlshod With LJghl Gray.

ccntlnuod on p. 44

Lett: Goodyear Fe·, Comlr ShOWing the blending of glOSSy and nonspe(ular sea Blue with me White al 1M leadfrlg edge of the stub wjng, Nonspecular Blue covers the entIre outboard section of the under wing surface, Below: The Interior of the dIve naps was paInted Insignia Red as a warnIng to ground crews working around the alrt'fatt While the naps were befng operated. Right: A typlcal lnterpretotlon of the three tone paInting

Instructions, The Intermediate

Blue vertkal surfaces are clear1y evident on thb cal\ldlan car and Foundry Ltd. Sew·3 on a training night.

41

Left; Consolidated PB4Y· 1 O\Ier the English coast In ASW Scheme II during July/August 1943. Middle Left: Airplanes such as this Avenger wIth a large rather straight sided fuselage were predominately Intermediate Blue. Middle Right: While the break between the Blue and White follows the same basic pattem. each airplane Is slightly different because of the freehand painting used. The Inconsistency of the colors used for aircraft Identification numbers Is Interesting. Bottom: The dark fuselage side In line with the wing. on these Douglas SBD·5s. does not conform to either ASW Scheme I or II.

,

.

42

..

r

. ...

_

..

-

F-;it;o '

..,. --

Right: A Martin JM·j Marauder being used to toW a gunnery target Is being rigged for target towing duties In December 1943. Below: A Curtiss SB2C Helldiver of Bombing Squadron 8 (VB-B) In December 1943. The general lighl appearance from the front In me three-lOne camouflage s i readily apparent in this view. Bottom; A Consolidated PB4Y· l O\Ier the English countryside en route to the Bay of Biscay patrol July/August 1943. painted in the ASW Scheme II. The codes B-3 and C are unknOwn.

,

__

) ' ..... ....

�:.:.-*'.

43

Right, A Generat o.4otDI> '0.4·2 Wildcat being catapulted from a CVE in the Atlantic: on an Antisubmarine Warfare mission during YN/ II. Note tne predominant white areas in this ASW paint SCheme. Bottom: A General Mot.OB FM·2 Wildcat in me basic camouflage board the USS CHARGER (CVE·3O) in May 1944.

I..ef't: Martin PBM-3 Mariner over Rio de Janeiro December

1 943. painted in the ASW Scheme I. Note how much darker the White appears In the nationaql aircraft I�nia: than the light Gray of the fuselage. Bottom: Martin PBM·3 Mariners at HAS Norfolk. circa 1944·45. It shoukl be noted tNt tnose airplanes painted In the White ASW scheme are Blue Gray on aU surfaces viewed from above.

that olher personnel spaces were 10 be fimshed In pastel

Aeronautical SpecIfication for Application 01 Protective Coallngs to Fabric Surfaces of Aircraft, Amendment 3,

green lacquer providing a semigloss light or paslel green

daled

Concluding these detailed InstructIOns, the direcuve slales finish as required by SR· 15c. However. II doesn'l say

where the personnel space being referred 10 is. since all such spaces had already been flOished In dull green.

The color name InSignia Red was changed to Bright Red on March 24. 1944, with the pubheatlOfl of Army·Navy

Apnl

15.

1944.

which

stated

that

"under

no

circumstances will enamel be used as the top coat in lieu of pigmented dope:

SR-2e. dated June 26, t944, with an effective dale of Octo­ ber 7. 1944. spelled oul for the firsl time Ihe color schemes fOf use on all types of aircraft. All carrier·based aircraft were

Aeronautical BuffOM No. 157a It also listed the nearest

now to be painted glossy Sea Blue overall. No mention was

had been supersedod

many combaHype aircraft contInued 10 carry the basic

equivalent color In the currenl system 10 the colors which In the early days of Naval aViation plgmenled dopes were considered 10 be Inferior to enamel because Ihey lacked

tho necessary coverlng quality, were difficult 10 brush oul, and did not have as much launlonlng abifity as clear dope. Therefore, II was nol authorized for use on Naval aircraft All finished coats wore 10 be enamel.

changed

through

the

years

untit

Gradually th1s

SA·7Cd.

Navy

made for similar shore-based aircraft.

Because of thIs.

nonspecular camouflage scheme throughout the war. This

was a more common practice with the dive and torpedo bombers than with fighter aircraft which had been specifl· cally mentioned in an earlier directive. Only three months after being PUI into effect, the basic

three-tone nonspecular camouflage scheme was again

changed. It reverted to the semigloss and nonspecular

style originally specified. except that the semigloss Sea Blue on the upper surface of the WIngS was earned around the leading edge and extended back on the under surface approximately five percent 01 the chord where II was then blended With the nonspecular White. Nonspecular Sea

Blue shading was used on Ihe leadIng edge. Droppable fuel tanks were palnled to match adjacent surfaces of the aircraft. Aircraft with wings thai fold up, as In the case of the F4U, were to be painted IntermedIate Blue on the undersurface, as before. However. aircraft wllh wings Ihallolded agalnsl

hon of the ught Gull Gray whIch was replaced by non· specular While Land Transport aircraft. deSigned as such, worc to be

aluminum Landplanes of other types which had been con verted to transports could be finished aluminum

Seaplane Transports. deSIgned as such. were to be overall glossy Sea Blue Seaplanes of other types which had been

converted to uansports could be finished overall glOSSy Sea Blue Landplanes and amphibians In Ihe Ullilty class were to be

the fuselage. like the F6F and TBF/TBM. with the under­

aluminum Utlhty seaplanes on the other hand were overall

surface inboard were to have the under surface painted

glossy Sea Btue

nonspecular White.

. Targel TOWing and Prunary Trainers were Orango VoIIO ..,

Patrol, Patrol Bombing and Observalion aircraft. whether

Advanced landplane tralnors were aluminum Advanced

landplane. seaplane or amphibian remained in the basic

seaplane trainers were overall glossy Sea Bluo Combat·

nonspecular scheme.

type aIrcraft. both

Aircraft assigned to antisubmarine warfare were to be painted in the ASW Gray and White schemes. Scheme II was modified to be the same as Scheme I wilh the excep-

landplane and seaplano. used lor

training purposes. were 10 be finished In accordance wllh

thelf type, Targel drones wore painted glOSSy InSignIa ROd

Right: A t.oc� PV 1 Manne

Corps n6ght flghter It Bouganville.

Lfft: ASW scneme II 'PIlI"'"

to a Wildcat aboard a CVE.

MkkUe Left: Lockheed PII· ! painted I n the ASW Sc heme II Middle Right: As can be seen on the Pf).4y. \ the Dark Cull Gray was applied to a very small portion of the fuselage tOp. Bottom: This SB2C welt Illustrates the gradual Change on the forward fuselage from InsJgnla White to Intermediate Bluc. The outer wing panels are nonspec:ular Sea Blue bc<:ause they fold up over the fuselage.

Solomon l>landS. "EIght Ball" b an lndNidual aircraft rnarkln(J. not a squadron insignia. The three crew member names on the nose under "'n Memory· is unusual. MkkUe Left.: A typlal Douglas MD !>'OCUlTed u..... Army contlXt and painted OUve Drab abOVe and neutral GrJy beneath. Mkldle R�ht: A Curtiss RSC·t painted In the Olive Drab and neutral Gray camouflage scheme. Both of lhese uanspof'U were painted In accordance with the same directives. Bottom: Overall Sea Blue Curtiss SB2e- 1 As of VMSB-454 In June 1944. Note that there In no unit designation. onry a sequential number (or all aIrplanes withIn Marine Aircraft Croup 4 \ .

Left: A Consolidated PB4Y·2. In August 19d2. with the three lone camouftage showing the engine nacelles painted in the same manner as the fusefage. The White on the fuselage produces COunter-Shadowing. Ofj] code Is unknown. Middle Lett: Note how ttle under portion of the engine nacelle on this PaJ· 1J Is painted to blend with the under wing surface and provide Counter·Shadowlng. Middle Right: A Piper AE-1 obtained from the Army in New Guinea and operated for a short period by the US Marine Corps. USMC was applied to the tail but ali other painting and markings Including the aircraft serial number remained Army markings. Bottom: Goodyear FG·1 0 palmed overall Sea Bloe with no markings other than those .ssigned by the pOOL

Lch: Sikorsky HNS·' aboard tho USS ANTIETAM (CV·36) In May t9015. These aIrcraft were obl'alned from the Army and retained the Army camouflage palming, Bonom: Navy type mal1dngs were applied to these av· 1 whkh remained In the Army camouftage at Okinawa In 1945.

Helicopters were mentIOned for the first tlmo In the dJrecttve and woro 10 be finished In Iho basIc nonspecular camouflago. Thoro were no additional Instructions to oxplaln how 10 palnl those peculiarly configured aircraft.

Porsonnel spaces, Olher than cockpits, were to be painted Intenor Green This could be modIfied upon Bureau of Aeronautics approval for special color schemes for personnel spaces on largo transports.

Nonspocular Soa Blue was requIred In tho areas nocossary to protoct tho ptlot's eyos from sun glare on all Olrcraft palntod gk>ssy Sea Blue or aluminum Propeller spinners were once agBln to be paInted non· specular IntermedIate Blue. 01" whon lhe alrplano was noncamoultaged, to match adjacent surfaces

The baggage compartment Intenor, bomb bays and struc· lural spaces on which more Ihan one coat of Zinc Chromate was applied were to have the second and any subsequent coalS tinted with len liqUid ounces 01 black enamel, plus four ounces of alumInum pigment paste added to each gal· Ion 01 Zinc Chromate The color resulting from this mixture varied and was not required to match any color standard.

SA· ISo. Wllh an eHecllve dale of OClober 10. 1944. oJ(panded lho instructtons for InterIOr finishes Interior surfaces of tho cockpit above tho level of the bollom of the Ins\(umenl panel were to be paInted Instrument Black. IntorlOr surfaces below this tine WOrD 10 be painted with the standard Intorior Groen.

Amendmenl No. I. 10 SA·2e. dated December 30. 1944. modified the painting of land·based Patrol and Patrol BombIng aircraft These aircraft were now to be painted so that the upper and lower surfaces 01 the wings and all horlzonlal tail surfacos were semigloss Sea Blue, All other tall surfaces and the entire fuselage were to be painted

6Z

Left: A Grumman F7F-20. TIgercat. of VU·4 which served as a drone controller. The drone pilot sat In the second seat to fly the drone F6F·5K (see p. 57 top).

nonspecular Sea Blue. Patrol and Patrol Bombing sea· planes and amphibians remained In the basic nonspecular camouflage. Amendment 2. with an effective date of March 10, 1945, required that propeller hubs and domes be painted non· specular Black. e)(cept for the Antisubmarine Warfare Camouflage scheme. in which case the hubs and domes were to be nonspecular White. Amendment 4. with an effective dale of May 6, 1946. changed Ihe color scheme for Targel Towing aircrafl. mak­ ing them the most colorful Naval aircrafl since December 1940.

After the end of the war the emphasis was placed on safely rather than on concealment. To this end instructions were issued lor the high visibllity painting of target lowing aircraft.

Among the most colorful aIrcraft of the

penod wa� the Douglas JO·, configured as I target toWIng alrcrat\

52

Single-englne aircraft regularly assigned this mission were to have the top and bollom of all airfoils painted glossy Orange Yellow. Included were wings. vertical fin. horizontal stabilizer and elevators. The fuselage and cowling. as well as a wing walkway on both sides of the fuselage extending 18 inches (45.72 em) outboard on topside of the wings only was to be glossy Sea Blue. The rudder and 36 inch (91.44 cm) wide bands around the wings were to be glossy Insignia Red. These bands were to be parallel 10 the thrust line al cne·third the distance outboard from the fuselage to wing tip. MUIlI-engine aircraft regularly assigned this mission were to have the top and bottom of all airfoil sections of the wings. vertical lin. horizontal stabilizer and elevators painted glossy Orange Yellow. The fuselage. engine nacelles and cowlings. except those portions Included within topside of the wing platform, were to be glossy Sea Blue. Wing walkways on both sides of the

<

Right: A Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3 1n overall Orange Vellow paint scheme of the primary trainer. Bottom: This Curtiss RSC·' transport of VMR· 153 was phOtographed In 1949.

fuselage. extending 18 inches (45.72 cm) outboard. on the topside of the wings only, were 10 be painted glossy Sea Blue. These walkways could be eliminated from aircraft where the crew did nOI walk on the wing to enter the aircraft. When applied, they extended from extreme leading edge to Irailing edge of the wing. The (udder(s) and three fOOl (91.44 cm) wide bands around the wing were 10 be glossy Insignia Red. These bands were to be parallel to the thrust tine and midway between the nallonal aircraft insignia and outboard nacelle. In the event of insufficient space for the red wing banet between the insignia and nacelle. the band was to be located adjacent to the nacelle. The nalional aircraft Insignia could overlap the band. bUl the band could not cover or alter the insignia size or location. Once an idea is conceived and sel aside. it is often taken up again under different circumstances. Such was the case of camouflage by artificial illumination. To counter the

U-boat menace a project was undertaken to illumInate only the frontal View of an attacking aIrcraft USing thIS concept it was poSSIble for a TBF to approach to within 3.000 yards (3200.4 m) undetected. Whereas. an unliluminated rBF could be spotted at twelve mIles ( 1 9 3 1 km) Plans wore made to equIp a torpedo squadron for duty In the Allanltc uSing this technIque. but the plans were never camed out By the tIme the concept had been developed as a practical camouflage. its value had been eliminated by the usc of search radar The project was closed out WIth the end oj World War II. Army-Navy Aeronaultcal Bulletin No 157b, dated Augusl 20. 1946. specif,ed that Interior Green was intended 9S the slandard color of the product resuillng from tinting Zinc Chromale as directed by SR· t5e SR·2f. with an effective dale of January 2. 1947. made a major change tn the external painting at Naval aircraft All

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Left In ApnI I947. tIlIsSe.1 Slut Convair (J'(· 1 SenUnal (ex·USAAF L·SE) was mlgn.. to NAS MOffrtt Field. While the aircraft hadJUSI been repainted It stili carried the Air Force legend on the forward tuseIagt. Mlddl" Th� sode view of it Manne corps McDonnell FH·! Phantom. Bottom: Photo­ graphed In OCtOber 1973 at the site of the Old Bradley Air Museum. this Nortn American FJ.' shows how original aircraft finIShes can weather. Compare this view with the one opposite.

Right: A fiot snot of a Crumman f6F·SK HellCat used as a drone in Its overall Instgntit Red paint. Below: ThIS North Amencan FJ.J Fury. shown here at the 1 948 National Air Races held I n Cleveland. Ohio. was piloted by Lt, H.G. Nickel.

Spinners were painted 10 malch adjacent surfaces. except on those aircraft palnled In the land camouflage scheme. In which case they were 10 be palnled Ohve Drab ThiS re­ qUirement, 01 course, did not apply to camer·based 81rerall on which lhe spinners were cok>r-coded to signify indiVidual squadrons. as explained In SectIOn 3 Propeller hubs and domes were to be painted Flat Black. In aClual practice. however. hubs and domes were oflen left In thelf natural 'Inish because of the drfflculty ln�ved In keepIng them palnled Amendmenl No 3 to SR-2f. daled May I . t948. specified thai excepl for lhe lipS. the main rotor blades of helicopters were to be painted glossy Sea Blue. Glossy IndivIdual Identification slripes were to be palnled on both Sides from

Ihe lip 10 Iwo inches (5.08 em) from lhe lip One blade 10 be Insignia While. another Insignia Rod, and Ihe remaining blade 10 be L1ghl Green. The glossy Orange Yellow warning Slrlpe was to be painted Inboard of these markings

on bolh Sides of the blades from IwO Inches (5 08 em) from lhe liP 10 eight IncheS (20 3 em) from lhe lop The palnl scheme originally specified for Tar I Te.,. og aIrcraft Vias now to be applied 10 Drooc Control a,rcrafl as Vlell Exteuor color en experlmenlal aircraft. \'" lh lhe exceptIOn of seaplanes. and tho cok>r reqUirements of SR·2 no longer applied to mllnary aircraft used for rC:;C.Hch prOjects The color 'Of such aircraft was subject to Buroau of AeronaU!rcs approval In each case The InterlQ( of englno cowling was now to be palnlOd InterIOr Green SR�2g. dated February I . 1949. specifIed thai Somch ilnd Rescuo. as well as Hospital Blrcraft. woro to bo parnWd In the cofor scheme prOSCflood for therr tyPO and wore to be Idonuiled by means of 101l0,.ng and markings

SECTION 2 NATIONAL AIRCRAFT INSIGNIA CHAPTER 2 1940·1949 During the 1940·1949 ten-year penod the natIOnal aircraft Inslgnl8 changed Its colors. shape and location Prior to World War II lhe national 81rcraft lnslgma consisted of a blue Clrclo around a white f,vB·poInted star ha\l..ng a red clrclo In the center, When COHCClty drawn the rod circle is langent to the edges of the pcOlagon Iot'med in drawing tho star as shown In the example on page 60. Four of these Inslgnl8 were applied 10 tho wings of all US naval 81rerah One was located al each liP on the upper surface of the upper wing and under surface of the lower wing In tho case of a monoplane. II was applied 10 both upper and IoYlor surfaces In all four posllions. ThO aarUer use of von/cal red, white and blue rudder stnpes had been discontinued In the late 305. except on aIrships. and as an ophonal marking on Staff aircraft and Ihose opera led by tho US Marine Corps, These stripes were no longer considered to be a part of the nallonal aircraft Insignia Thero have been numerous melhods described for accur· alaty laYing out the frve-poInted star of lhe natIOnal alrcrah Ins.gnaa 1he procedure described In tho 1939 AVl8tJQn Ma· chlneSI Mate 2c Training Manual was as fo/Iows' Multiply tho radiUS of the blue Circle by the constant I 175. this will gIVo tho length of tho Chord that can be used for plonlng the frve equally spaced potnts on the circumference The problem IS solved deCimally 10 obtain accuracy The answer must then be convened to Inches and fraClions of on Inch so that II can be applied 10 the circle by use of an ordinary rule. For example, using a Circle With a radius of 30 Inche. 30 ,nche. (76 20 cm) x 1 175 c 35.25 Incho. 0< 35 1/4 Inche. (89 54 cm) fo< Ihe distance betwoen oach star poInt on tho circumforence of tho blue circle,

RIghI A grophtC ...... 01. IOOghl F4lJ.A 01 VSF-B2 ."""" CV·IS W7wl to ICtilntIgt n's umoufllge and ptICIment of the lnONidual lUtf�dt number.

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An Iho poss,blilly 01 Iho Unllod Sialas becoming InVOlved In

World War II Incroased. II became necossary to fully and ooslly Idonilly US ol,c,oll In ploco 0' p,ovlously Issuod gonorol dlroctJves on silO and k)Callon, specifiC dlrnensk)ns lor each typo aircraft woro dovelOped to Insuro maximum VISIbIlity and slandardizatlon Of lhls markIng AppendIX A 01 NAS San Diogo, CoIlIomla, Local P,ocoss Spoclltca"on No 1 28, dalod Malch 8, 1940, speclliod silOS and IOOOllon8 lor IhO nOllonol olrcral! Insignia on olrcrafl going through lholr ov rhaul faclhty as follows

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To aid In Ihol, ,donllllcatlon, Tochnlcal O,do, No, 6-40, dOled March 19, 1940, authorized additional InSIgnia 10 spoelilc types 01 al,crali llying on Iho noutralily patrol ThlG was tho first limo tho nOllonal aircraft Insignia was pfaced on lho lusolago ThOse Insignia WOIO 10 bo Iocalod on oach side of the forword part 01 the fuselage Locations were as lollows BG- I Conlo, a 24 Inch (60.96 cm) SIO' Insignia on Iho onglno accosSOf)' cowling as far forward as possible. SOC-I , -2, -3, SON- I Conle, a 24 Inch (60.96 cm) Sla, Inslgnlo on Iho accosSOly cowling wllh Iho uppo, cl,cumlo,enco aboul S inchos ( 1 2,70 cm) bolow Iho lOP 01 Iho cowling, SBU- I , -2: Locolo a 24 Inch (60,96 cm) slar insignia on Ihe onglno cowling so Ihal Iho allol odgo Is langenl 10 Ihe olio, odgo 01 Iho sldo cowl and 1110 conl01 16 equldlslanl I,om Iho uppm and lowe' edgos 01 each sldo panol 01 Iho cowl. SB2U- I , -2 Locato a 24 Inch (60.96 cm) sial Insignia on Iho englno cowling so Ihal lis conlOI Is 24 Inches (60 96 cm) all 01 Iho lorwald odgo 01 Iho cowl panol, and 1 4 Inchos (35,58 em) bolow l ho uppe' odgo ol lho sldo panol 01 Ihe cowl F2F- I , F3F- I , -2, -3 Localo a 24 Inch (60 96 cm) Slo, In­

SIgnia on lho fuselage betweon IhO tWO cabone wlros boo tweon statIOns 2 and 4, Tho conior of Iho Inslgnta 10 be I I 3/4 Inchos (29 84 cm) all 01 SlatlOfl 2, and 1 2 114 InchoB ( 3 1 I I em) boiow a IIno lolnlng Iho lowe, onds 01 Iho cobane slrUIS J�F- I . -2, -3, -4 Conlo, a 36 Inch (91 44 cm) slm InSlgnln

In Uno with Iho vortlcal cabana Sltut, wUh Iho lower odgo 01 Iho SIO' opproxlmOI Iy 23 Inehos (58 4? em) obovo Ih mop, adiocolII 10 lhO uppo, odgo ol lho whool woli pay· I , .?, ·3, 4 Localo a 36 Inch (91 44 Om) sin, Inslgnlo so that JI6 IOWO( clrcuml ( nco Ie 0ppfoxlrnOloly Ii Inches

( 1 0 16 em) obovo Iho mooring platform, bolwoon Iho "mOl and wlndshlold. wllh tho oitor clrcumlor nco langonl lo tho oulor odgo Ol iho IQlnlOfcomont til Iho pilors vonhlOlor P2Y-2. 3 LOCIIIO a 36 Inch (9 I 44 em) slm ,nslgnlA so Ihm 'IS Iown' cllcumlol nco IS 3 InchOs (7 62 cm) nbOvo Iho CIMO odgo nd liS 1101 odgo i. "PPlO..,,"'1 tv I ,nch (2 54 em) I",wo,d 01 lho lorwa,d odgo 0' Iho bOw SlO P

Righi' 'Ioughl SBU- I. 01\11H2 asslgne<1 10 lhe USS RANGER (CV· Ii) operating wltn lhe neult11llty patrol. carry the nalkmal alrcl'3f\ I�nla In the newly authoriZed lOcation on the engIne cowl. Boltom: This SB2U·2 orVS·72 ,Igned 10 lhO USS W(>SP (CV71 .. also panlclp.1Utd In OC\Jtrality patrol dulles, The lall 15 1n BlacK Note Ihe external fucl lank filled for additional mgll! rango.

If Iho Insignia was localod on the engine or accossory cowling, It WAS pormlsslble lor Iho Slar 10 prOlcct jnlO squadron nosa markings. provldod 0 conltosllng bordor was also appllod at lhe InlOrSOCllon VMS-3 01 51 Thomas. Vllg,n Islands, opo,alod Iho only Marine Corps allcrafl authorized 10 havo lhose addItional Insignias SR-2b, SPOclllc811on lor NaV8 1 Alrcr.II Insignia Bnd M81klng, dalod OClobor 8, 1940, w'lh on o)locllvo dalo 01 Docembe, 14, 1940, lurthe, ampl,hod Ihe locallon 01 Iho lour Insignia which wo,o 10 bo ploeod on lho wings 01 oacll al,cralt Ono WAS 10 bo localod Inboa,d Irom oach wing tip, on bolh Iho uppm surlaco 01 Iho uppo, wing and on Iho undor surfACO ol lho lowor wing lor biplanos In tho case 01 monoplanes, Iho Insignia woro 10 bo an Iho lOP and boltom

surfacos of Iho wings On londplnnos nnd flo,n 5Unpl,lntls, tho conler of tho lr'lslgnia WAS 10 bo Iocatod InbOOrd from Iho wing lip 0 dlstanco equal to tho ct�ld longth of tho wing. excopt for Iho lowor surfacc 01 Iho lawur Wino 01 seaplanes. whero IhO Insignia was to be Iocmod Inbodfd 0-1 tho wIng tiP 1/0018, as noar os practlc,lbfo 10 ttw aforementioned lOcalion ThO CircumscrIbed cI,clo Wt! stf' 10 be tangont 10 tho lorwmd edgo of tho Moron On p,lIrOI pIanos lho Jocnllon was 10 be In gonorAI occord Wllh Iho above, but was 10 bO dlCIOIOd by tho SilO and tYPfl 01 ....,uq . Tho dlamoter of lho ClfcumSCflbod Clrclo Will' 10 btl l!quul lo tho distance botw on Iho loodlng odgo of tho ollolOn ,md tho loading odga of Iho wIno. prOVided thl! CIi91iInCO WII"; nol In oxcess 01 GO Inch 8 ( I S:? 40 cm) In thiS cnflU 11\0 dlamelor was 10 bo 60 Inchos ( 1 5? 40 em) Tho 61/t! of 1/l11 Insignia on pAtrol pinnos WAS 10 b comp IIbln wllh Iho sl'o ond Iype 01 nl,c,oll

Lef'\: Nonrigid airships earned a MtiOnal aircraft Insfgnlll on tne centerline of tOO envek>pe, bOth top and bOttom. as well a5 the Red . White and Blue 5trlpes on the moveable contrOl surfac6.

nonspecular palming to be used on Naval alrcrafl. II also roduced Ihe numbor of Insignia on Ihe wings trom four to two. One wes to bo located Inboard from tho left wing lip on the uppor surlaco 01 Iho uppor wing. and one Inboard 01 tho right wIng tip on Iho undor surface of Iho lowor wing for biplanes. The same positioning on tho lOp and under sur­ laco 01 the wings also oppllod to monoplanos. Tho circum· SCribed circle was 10 be tangent to Iho forward odge of the alloron Tho center of lhe wing Insignia was poslUoned as bolore. One ,nslgnla was to bo located on each sldo of the fusolage botweon Ihe trailing odge of the wing and tho loading edge of tho horizontal stabilizer. but alt of the squedron Idenllflcatlon markings. On patrol type aircraft one insignia was to be located on Ihe bOw forward of Ihe squadron numbor, The Insignia on the wing was not to o'ceod 60 Inches ( t 52040 cm) In diameter. Tho dlamoter of tho circumscribed circle on tho fuselago was to bo 8S largo as posslblo. but not to exceod 24 Inches (60.96 cm). The Insignia on peltol plano wings was to be at least 48 Inches ( t 2 t 92 cm) In diameter. but not moro than 60 Inches ( t 52040 cm) On tha bow it was to bo 24 Inchos (60.96 cm) In dlamoter. Those Insignia wero to be appllod using nonspecular pigmonlod lacquers Nonspecular dope was allowed on fabriC surlaces. The oplional use 01 tho vorllcal red. while, and bluo rudder stripes was termInated

AboYt. Free blnoons Clrried tOe nallonel .lrcran. lnslgnla In t'NO

Iociuons 45-.part In • verucal �ne,

Tho convorelon from thO period ot bright and colorfully palntod olrcrOIl to the dull and drab wartime finishes for the purposo ot concoalmonl also affoclod the nolional alrcrolt Inllgnl.1 Buraau of Aoronautlce lottor Aor·E·25·HY ( O t 0282). deted Fobruary 26. t94 t. eot lorth tho

Tho nocesSlty of fapld and positive Identification was vllal efte, the Unltod Statos onto rod the war. Commandor In Chlel. Pacific. mossago 230307. dated Docombor 23. t 94 t . statod that all Army and Navy alrcroft In tho Hawaiian oroa wero bolng markod wIth largo Inslgnlo on both upper and Iowor wing tips. as well as both sldos of tho fuselage. Red and white herrzontal stripes on oach side of the ruddor wore a/so specified However, tho numbOr of Stripes was not speciflod. which of course load to many vadattons. On January 2. t942. NAS San Diogo. California. Local Process Specillcatlon was mod,frod to rofleet this Incroase In slzo and local/on, as well as tho horizontal ruddor stripes The Insrgnla was to bo Ioealod Inboard from the tip of tho wing the dISIl1nCO shown In the following chart Howove,. the COnior of tho Insignia was now to bo tl2 of tho dlstonce from the loading odgo (minus dolcor width If prosent) to the trailing edge Includlnp aileron. /lap 01 other moVODblO surfaco

COI1l1nuoci Ofl P 6S

Left: A broad Interpretadon of the nytng boat Instructklns concerning the national aircraft Insignia has been applied to this Grumman J2F·4 ofVJ· 4. Middle Left, Douglas TaOs and Grumman F4Fs of vr-6 and VF-6 on the fight deck of the USS ENTERPRISE (CY·6) In April 1942. While the Instructions specified alternate Red and White horizontal stripes on the rudder � dMi not specify how many. Note the greatly oversized Insignia on the F4F. Middle Right: The national aircraft insignia on this SBO·' is painted right Into the wing slots and fiUs the space from the leading edge of the aileron cutout to the edge of the Orange Yellow. Bottom: A SBD·3 in two tone paint sc.heme with national aircraft Insignia inaU slx locations.

Right: The February 26. 1941. directive specified insignia on the upper left and lower right wing surfaces. as wen as both sides of the fuselage. Markings were to be White on the overall Gray scheme for least VlSlbihty_ Below: This night deck scene of SBDs and F4Fs on the USS ENTERPRISE (CY-6) Clearly shows the confusion caused by the numerous connlcting directives being issued by various commands.

Right: This SBD-4 at MOO Cherry Point In Ju� 1943 SlIU AUOUST

... 1811

TO MAY e.

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... (101 60 cm)

...

J2f·1. ·2.-3. ...

56'

55'

..,. ... ...

(16510cm) (15240cmj (16256cm) (11272cm)

144'

(J6576cml to at WInQ lIoo1

".....

144' (36576cm)

...

'''''..... ''-

". ..,.

'2'

ST

''-

(Hi004cm)

,r 53'

(!44 78an) ( 1 3& 62 cm)

79' '0-

(200 t56cm) fllt304cm)

(l41..32c:rn)

(I 1528 cm) (23816cm)

(233 68cm) 92' t .o ol �. fIoal

("Ie 12 an)

Cloo22an)

( 1 3"J 70an) (12700cm)

150' (38I00cm)

,.. ,..

<3'

'"

56'

fH

1:)6' (34S 44cm)

(13462cm)

�

58'

L....

53'

F2,4·I.·,.·3 F4F.:J, .3A

138' (35052cm)

115240 0'11)

�

--

(13"J70an) (13208an)

"-

(182.88cml (18O.34cm)

carriedoversiz.ed lr\stgnla in six positions on its tflree tone

camouftage.

__ _ -.-. 11 � a. "" 'O _Y .. ....

doWn (226 60cm) 90' edgool Il0l1 wttI doWn

(24384 cm) edQaot IIOatwei

". ... ". ...

" 3"J 70an)

g

,,. (loo22cm)

0S2U.1. ·2.·3

39'

PBV.t.·2,oJ. ...

53'

(13462cm)

POlY

65'

(16510cm)

( 99 06 cm)

(!32.OEIcm) (129.Slan)

(157.t8cm) (231 14cm) ttO'fl D.Al ol 'lll'lrlg

SQC.1,·2,.:J

(SON aIIo) 190-'

,,. (IO!l22 cm)

02'

.,.

(20828cm) (205 74 em)

If dmenSlOOs were not gIVen, the ''''lowing general rules were to apply "The center of the star shalt be inboard from

wong up approx"""tely t/3 of the d,stance from the wong Up to tho fuselage The dl8meter of the circle will be equal to

the full chord of the Wing including the aileron, On sea­ planes the ,"Slgnla shalf be located on the underside of the WIng Inboard of the Wing up 1001.·

horllOf"CalilM)llllet 5J' (13462cm)

ItO'n centol' at 1..ilr t'dl (14224cm) ... Ilem edge at ncw.zontal .-..

ST

(13208cm) ItO'n 8Ogeat 'S&ep' pIa;e .

Ifem edge at ...meeI wtII ConteIeacn luset.oe to

..

(l143)cm)

corner 01 WlndICUMltI Cerllere
....,--

'" (127 00 an)

.,.

(157 oC8 an) ItO'n "WIg eooo at

bebw (glasa) edge at

S8[).I,-2. ..J

62'

bpc;t!1pn

-"'" . ( 86 36 cm) "'

(16764 0'11) (114.30cm) (162!iecm) (165 lOan)

65'

62'

.... (l31 16cm)

. II. (30226cm) Iran tr...-.g edOfI 01

.. -_ (17780011) 1t1 trcm f\lCJdlf MQe Oll'l (l5148cm) 62' ItO'n C4ltlCef at 'Vt ' rIOIt

A l l fuselage Insignia were to be centrally located. top to bottom, on the fuselage side. A good example of the confusion caused by directives be­ Ing ISSued by numerous commands is the Bureau of Aero­ nauucs fetter Aer-E-257 1 -BP/OO 1085. dated January 5. 1942. ThiS leiter required that the natIOnal aircraft Insignia be placed on the upper surface of the upper wing and the under surface of the lower wing. on both right and left WingS These four inSignia were to be the mal(lmUm dia­ meter possible without overflOWing into the aileron and placed ,nboard from the wing t,p approxomately 1/3 of the distance from wing lip to fuselage A nallonal aircraft

'""'9",a 24 Inches (60.96 em) ,n d""""ter was to be placed on each stde 01 the fuselage as preVJOUsly directed by the Bureau of Aeronautics. Where thiS size could not be applied In accordance WIth eXisting instructIOns. the point

of applicatk>n was 10 be moved forward on the fuselage as necessary. Honzontal striping of the rudder was specified.

MAY e,

".42 TO JUNE 28.

UI43

The location of these stripes was to be determined by dividing the dlslance between the highest and lowest points on the rudder Into thirteen equal parts. There were to be seven red and SIX while Slflpes. Balanced poruons of the rudder which extended 1010 the Itn were to be fimshed

in the same color as the Itn surfaces. The nallonat aircraft insignia and rudder stripes were 10 be a nonspecular finish. While these instructions were applicable 10 all aircraft operating with or intended for delivery to the Fleet. as well as all spares, they did not apply to primary or advanced training planes assigned to or intended for assignment to training centers or reserve bases. Bureau of Aaronauilcs letter Aer-E-2571 -MVS (01 2076). dated February 6, 1942, further amplified the location of the wing insignia. It stated (hat the Insignia must not overflow into the ailerons. flaps or deicer boots when installed. In the case of the lower wing of seaplanes the insignia was to be localed inboard of (he wing tiP float as near as practicable to the specified locaHon. An insignia was 10 be located on each side of the fuselage. aft of the SQuadron Identification. between (he Iralling edge of the wing and the leading edge of the horizontal stabilizer. On patrol type aircraft an Insignia was to be located on each side of the bow forward of the squadron number. The insignia on the sides of the fuselage were 10 be nl8)umum diameter possible. not 10 exceed 65 ,nehes (165 10 cm). and be kx:aled 10 obtain both maximt.m size and maximum visibility. With ali these conllictlng direcuves It Is no wonder that so many photos dUring this time show the national aircraft insignia in various JocaUOf'lS and sizes Because of the poss,blhly In the heat of bailie of confusing the red circle in the national aircraft Insignia for the ,ed rism9 sun of Japan, Secretary of lhe Navy (SECNAV) dispatch 062230 (dispatch logged in a communication center at 22;30 hours (10.30 p.m I on May 6) transm,lted ALNAV 97 (Navy d..patch number 97 '"tended for all Navy U",IS). dated May 6. 1942. d"ocled the removaf of the red CIrcle in the while star and the honzonts) red and whIte Stripes on the rudder The palnllng on the rudder was to conform to the general camouflage scheme. These 'n51ruC1Jons afso apphed to the Tra,",ng Command For the

lirst I1me the natlOrl81 alrctaft IrlSfgnl8 was not composed of the tladltJonaJ Ametlcan cok>rs - red. white. and blue In acC()(dance WIth AlNAV 97. the red and while stllp8S on the rudders and elevatOf"s of hghter-than-atr aJrcraft wero also removed This same Informalion was sent 10 the field by (SECNAV) ,n ALNAV 98 d..palCh 071758. dated May 7. 1942. wh,ch further SUited thaI a u",form system of mar1<Jngs had boon adopted fOf all United States military alfcraft It appears

from a revlew of the AJJT'J'( records. lhat U.s chango was pnmanly a Navy program WIth Alrrrt concurrence

NAS San Juan. Puerto Reo. L.ocaf Process

Spec,heal00n

No. 4· 42. dated July 28, 1942. IS the ea,hest dlf&Cllve

located which monuons standard sizes fOf" the nahonal a"Ofafl lnSIgn>a II Klonhr",. the wong InSIgJIIII as fallong ,nto 55. 60 or 105 >nches (101 60 s>x basic mes 40. 45. cm. 1 1 4 30 cm. 127 00 cm, 139 70 em. 152 40 em Of .. feD .no ... " 266 70 em) ,n d.amoler Tho fuselage """On

50.

basic SIZes 35. 40. 45,

50. 55 and 60 W1Ches (88 90 em.

RIght: Grumman F4F·3 I n tile two lOne paint scheme of Blue Gray and Ught Gray with oversized Insignla. The significance of the two numbers Is undetermined, Bottom: Tail stripes were eliminated on nonrigid airships. but the requirement for two national alrcratt InsIgnia without the red center remained.

101 60 em, 1 14.30 em. 127.00 em, 139.70 em and 1 52.40 em) In diameter. __ 1J?f·l,-? -3

JAf

.c, .�

� 50' (121 00 cml

.wJoo. u_

'"

"""" """,

., ( 1 39 70cm) 45' 1 1 1 4 30 crn)

t OO""'"

u_

PaY-I. -2, -3, � ..4_ ·5. ·

""""

.

• SON ,

� J?f·I, '2, -3

,.. '"

55' ...

60'

(1�4Dcml 55' (139 70cm)

......

105' 12(i6 70 em)

,,�.

"""" .......

'"

. .

(114 30c:rnl

(lO\60cm)

.. ,.

� � " .

( l I .t 30 cm)

45'

""", ,

'"

(lOI60cml

PUn, ·2. ·3

fH

II?100cm)

'"

(101

JIlF

(165 10cm) (241 30cm)

LQGIIIS!'[1 ...

"

(4S720cm)

(325 12cm) edgOalloafwo'

,,..

. (139 10 crn)

-4 ·5

(2'844cm) (15240 cm) (165 lOcm) (23876cm)

Wllh floalOtwm

".,

lOS' (266 10 em)

""'"

SOC·l. 2. ·3

(127 00 cm)

'-"

OS?U-I, ·?,·3.

From lip 01 wl� Igl
hom edOctoi 'Stcp" plOIO

(132-08cm)

hom Icwwatd 0000 01 v.i14MI ( 1 I4 30 cm)

...

. '1.·3. � osal l ... -5.·5A

..� '"

SOC •. ·,.'). I.SOt� I

00 ern)

ConIOfO<J ()') luselaQelO� mulQwotrolWCOfr'lOfoi """ ,,,do.,,. CenIo,od bOtwoon polof. C8bIo and botlomOl hul (ctIIno) QlcumI&fttnoO 10 jurli Cloar prepellOfouara ..oe ol 1uso/aoO

(177.00 crn) 1(' I,om rudOet hirlge pon

To further point out the confusion caused by the numerous instructions. consider the sizes of the insignias specified to be applied 10 PBY and PBY-5A airerall by lhe NA5 Quonset Point, Rhode Island. Local Process Specification No. 3-43. dated August 19. 1 942. This specification was issued in order to clarify the instructions in the Bureau of Aeronautics letter of February 6. 1942. The insignia on the upper surface of the wing was to be 9 leet 4 inches (284.48 cm) in diameter. with the center located 17 feet (518.16 cm) inboard from the wing tip float. The insignia on the lower surface of Ihe wing was to be 8 feet 6 inches (259.08 cm) in diameter with the center located 17 feet (518.16 cm) inboard from the wing tip float. The insignia on the bow was to be 4 feet ( 1 2 1 .92 cm) in diameter with the center located 28 inches ( 7 1 , 1 2 cm) forward of the plating al 51alion No. 2 and 27 1/2 Inches (69.85 em) above lhe chine, The top point of the star was to be located directly below the vertical brace on the cockpit enclosure, In preparation for Operation Torch. the AlIled Invasion of French North Africa. an amendment to Operation Memor­ andum No. 9. daled Seplember 25. 1942. was published by Allied Force Headquarters. It directed that all American aircraft partiGipating in the invasion display a yellow circle around the national aircraft insignia on each side of the fuselage and on both lower wing surfaces. Since this mem­ orandum was concerned with air-ground recognition no mentIon was made of the insignia on the upper wing sur-

Right: Curtiss SOC dropping a message during Operation Torch. The yellow around the wing InsignIa Isjust vlslble behind the wingtip noat. Bottom Left: This SNJ. used as a phOto plane In the New Hebrides. has an oversize Insignia which is unusually far forward on the fuselage. Bottom Right: Grumman F4Fs aboard the USS RANGER (CY.4) checking Ulelr guns prior to the invasion or French North Africa during Operation Torch. Because Ule yellow circle around the national aircraft insignia was designed as a recognition symbol to ground troops, there was no requirement for it to be on tne upper wing surface.

face, However, it is apparent from photos that some aircraft. both Army and Navy. were so marked on the upper surfaces. This was a short-lived marking for Naval aircraft since they all returned to the United States after the invasion. But it was continued in use in North Africa and Europe by the Army Air Force,

YELLOW BOROER FOR OPERATIOt' TORet!

SR-2c. dated January 5, 1943, with an effective date of February 1, 1943, once again changed the number of insignia to be placed on the wings of aircraft. The Insignia were to be non specular for camouflaged aircraft and glossy for noncamoufiaged aircraft. The dlr.e . ctive instructed thai two insignia were to be placed on the wings. One was to be located on the upper surface of the left wing and the other on the under surface 01 the right wing. On biplanes. one insignia was to be placed on the upper surface ol tha upper lefl wing. and the other on the under surface of the lower right wing. The circumscribed circle was to be tangent to the aileron cutout. The center of the insignia was to be located inboard from each wingtip a distance equal to approximately 1/3 the distance from the wing tip to fuselage, except in the case of the lower wing of seaplanes and lIying boats. On these aircraft the insignia was to be located Inboard of the wing tip float as near as practicable to the above location consistent with the size and type of wing, Where the distance between the leading edge of the wing and the aileron cutout was nol large enough to accommodate the minimum size specified, the wing

69

F4U·I In the three-tone paint 5dleme with

Right, A Vought

the sho,'toItved red surround to the national alrcraft in>Ign�

Btlow: The three-tone

camouflage together with the new national aircraft ImJgnia

presented a very harmon6ous

balance betw'een the aesthetJc and the fUnctional, MiISI
as pilots complained .bout fumes Innltratlng the cockpit. Very often, � It was not wetl secured. tills tape would tear off In night. as ShOwn nere.

inslgma was 10 be moved inboard a suthclCnt distance to olbN lho minimum Sile 10 be applied All aircraft were to

Natl(XlBI Slar (ForA"plane Exlerior), daled March I, 1943,

havo one inSignia applied on each side of tho fuselage opprOlCImatoly midway between the ualllOg edge 01 the

Iho fIrst lime In the Navy Since World War I. Ihe use 01 decaJcomanias for the natIOnal aircraft Insignia They were

wing ond tho loading odgo of tho hOflzonlal stabllller Thoso Insignia could bo moved forward or aft to aVOid

available In the gloss or speculanly to match that of

covering Ironsparont malerlOl Of other obstructions, excopt thai tho oxHemo forward edgo 01 tho InSlgma could not be Iocatod closm Ihon 35 IncheS (68 90 cm) away hom lhe 1I011ing edgo 01 lhe wing When lhe p,oteClion ol lhe luse· lage bolwoon Iho Hailing odge of the wing and tho leading edgo 01 tho honlontal stabillzor was not large enough 10 accommodoto tho minimum SilO specified, the fuselage Insl{Jfllo could be placed elsewhere on lhe fuselage In sue" locations as 10 permit Itlelr being readily soon horn the Sides On pOllol lypo ollclall, lhe Insignia was 10 be localed flOor tho bow in lIou of Iho above locallon. Tho dlametor 01 tho ClrcumSCilood clrclo was 10 be ono 01 nino standard SilOd forms, 20 10 60 Inches (SO.80 cm to 152 40 cm), Incrooslng In 5 lOch ( 1 2 70 cm) IncremonlS ThO wing InSlgnlo was 10 be that standard size coming nomest 10 being aqual to, but not exceechng. 90 percent of lhe dlslonco belwoon lhe loading edge ol lhe Wing and lhe olleron cutOUt In no caso could they be grealer thon 60 Inches ( 1 52 40 cm), nor loss Ihan 30 Inches (76 20 cm) In dlomcler The fuselago InSlg0l8 was to be Ihat standard SilO cominO noarost 10 bOlng. but nOI exceeding. 75 percent of lho vorucal dlmenSk)n of the prO)OCllon 01 the lusclago sldo al lhe potnl 01 apphcallon In no case could lhey be groalor than SO IncheS (127 00 cm) nor less lhan 20 IncheS (SO 80 cm) In dlameler Nonrigid (urshlpa wero 10 carry two InSIonia each 5 feot ( 1 5240 em) In dillmelor. one on lop ol lhe onvelopo and the other on tho boltom Those insignia were to be cen· tared on 0 loro and aft aXial hoo With the lop Insignia at tho groatost diamotor of tho envolope Tho bottom Insignia was to be on lhe aX1II 1 hne 3 10el (91 44 em) back 01 a potnl mtdwoy belwoon lhe Ironl 01 !he car and lhe lip 01 the bow oC the envolope Placemont � the nallonal alfcraft InSignia on !roo Bnd kilO balloons remained the same as spotlliod

If'l ihe oarly 19208. evon lhough kltO balloons hed not been used IIncO the carty 1930', Army-Navy Aeronautical Specification AN·I·9, Ins,gma,

70

With an effoctlve date of September I, 1943, authorized for

adJacenl su�aces The colors conlormed 10 lhe Army·Navy AOlonaullcal Color Siandards lor glossy and camaullago paints

ALNAV 1 2 , dispalch 282005, daled June 28, 1943. specified the second rna,or change to the natlonal aircraft

painled Wllh lhe new Insignia On July 3 1 , 1943, Comman· der, Third Floel (COM3rdFLT) message 300224 10 all ships and beses In lhe Soulh Pacific Area dlrecled · . AS AN

IMMEDIATE EXPEDIENT TO PREVENT UNCERTAINTY OF I D E N T I F ICATION AND PENDING FURTHER DECISION ELIMI NATE RED BORDER ON SOPAC PLANES: This became official for all aviation Wllh the Issue of Army­ Navy Aeronaullcal Specllicallon AN·I·9b, daled Augusl 14,

1943 EffectlVo upon Issue. lhe nallonal olferall In!uQnltl acqulfed on Insignia Blue border, one·elght radiUS 01 I blue circle. in lieu of tho InSlgnl8 Rod border Spoc:lflod by AN-I·ga Therefore. the chango was mado befOfo tho rt

qulred completion dato for adding Ihe rod bordor Tho standard SIzes romalilOd In effect except for ntght Ilghl"" On lhese alrcrall lhe clrclo was 10 be 25 Inches (63 50 em) In diameter on both tho WingS and fuselago On pallol lOa planes, tho InSignia was to be applied to ooch SldH of It

bow. In such POSItion Ihal II would be complotoly v�slilin

Insignia Since the United Slates entered the war Tho In­ signia was modified to be a five-pointed while star Insido an I nsignia Blue circumscribed clrclo, An Insignia WhllO roclanglo, ono radius ol lhe blue circle In longlh DOd one· hall radius of the bluo circle In width. projected on e8ch sldo 01 Iho Slar. Tho lOP odgos 01 Iho roclanglo were placed 10 form a slraighl line wilh Iho lOP edges of tho IwO slar polnlS benoalh Ihe lOp Slar point. An Insignia Rod bordor ono·elghlh radius ol lha blue clrclo In widlh OUllinod Iho onllre design Tho Insignia was 10 bo applied SO IhOl ln Ihe normal Ilighl altitude 01 Ihe airplane one polnl 01 Iho star pointed upward, perpendIcular 10 the hne of IIIght on vertical surfaces, and forward, paraUol 10 the line of flight on hon7ontal surfaces A gray color. obtained by mixing one part of InSignia White With one pari 0' Llghl Gray. replaced lhe InSignia White. only on upper wing surfaces Ihal were I,ntshed semigloss Sea Blue. The Insignia on Ihe WingS wore to have a blue Circle diameter 75 percent of the distance between lhe leading edge 0' tho wing and thO aileron culout It could not bo greater Ihan 60 Inches ( 1 52 40 em), nOr less Ihan 30 Inches (76 20 cm) '" dlamelor The SIZO of the fuselage InSignia remained unchanged 11 should be noled lhal lhe rod bordor around the blue Circle was not considered in determining Ihe size Tho SI70 always refers 10 tho blue CircumSCribed Cl1clo 69 used In tho original versIOn of the Inslgnta Those Instrucllons were also issued In Army-Navy Acro­ naullCsl Speclficallon AN·I·9a, daled June 29, 1943, whICh specilled an effecllve dale 01 Seplember I 1943 Tho red border on tho InSignia was unpopular With many In tho combat aroa, especially In tho Paclhc, whore II was fplt that It could cause confuSK)O With lhe Japanese Hlnomaru This was the subjOCl of conSiderable dlspalch and leller trothe obJOChons wt'uch resulted In many alfcrafl not bolng

71

MY II, I") 10 �II"UJ"I" It

II.,

l,o l't 1 hi! MU· I Corsair

��::'�:!�O��f �:��r!i�ows hOw quiCkly palm can 'ade the

In troplCBI cUmIllClS.

whun ,hu nt/Clllit W{ltl wmorOOIflO In normAl lond concllllon Ihu luuulilnu tnlJll'lnln could oxtond ovor dooro nnd Onlor· RtJoh oponlnoa tlRod IItrm:V i1XIl8, but nOI ovor windows (lurlnu comblll which would chnrlgn Iho trlllIonlA PHI torn

or

�11'{���1I1 � '�l����r���::..;�� ;�I��t�:;�:I'A�:�I����� ��I��t 1l(!low IhMC! C,oo� vividly show t

n IIIIWIf1 I11�IOIIIII

Crumman JAI' til{! r('(I I)()'drrWII!i � �uamln�nt 80810\1 1110 of thre(! IOOtl CMnaUntl(j1l NOlll l ilR prorMtIit'r mlJl(t'l IIIIYO 1)000 IIPltllt-'d ohcWCl llrlt1 IIICl ln�lQnlll Oppo.itO! Willi flnOh\M lul\flmu 1Il"'�e II1U 11.. at VI' 8? ami vur U? prf'Wm an 5tve 1'1(IUI" of nltvltt POWI" In June 1946. Aircraft numilOf 20 ahown

how

twk)w

flfftl lll�,1 to

wllfrt1no

IlIuflch ott UWI
1)luM thC! wnlC-h Imprfl Is

fl

The ISSUO of SR-2e. dated June 26. t944, changed tho Iocallon 01 the Insignia on lhe boflom of nonrigid airships 10 as close 10 hall of lhe hOfllorHal dlslance 'rom the bow of the envetope to the forward edge of the car as practicable

NAS Alameda, CahfOfniS. Local Process Speclftcatlon No 8 1 , dOlod January 2. 19115. IS lhe earliest known directive Ihal aulhOfl}od dOIOllng tho Insignia Blue In the nallonal a.reralt InSlgma when II was applied on a glossy Sea Blue back:oround ThiS PIacUco had been 10 effect prior 10 Ihis

Right One national aircraft Ins;gnla 15 located on the cenler1lne of the e1lVl!lope forward of toe control car on this first nonrigid to arrive In South AmericA (0( patrol duty In October 1943. Below: While this

sea Blue VMf(N) ·S33 Grumman F6F·3N nlghl fighter has the unit ktenUfkaUon. FIN) 16. paInted In Black. lhe nallona! aIrcraft InSignia remaIns full'Slze In bnlllant White

74

Amendment 1. to AN-I-9b. dated June 10. 1946. effective Navy-wide on issue, finally deleted the requirement for Ihe Insignia Blue circumscribed circle and the Insignia Blue border when the insignia was apphed on a Sea Blue. Dark Blue or Black background Amendmenl 2, 10 AN-I-9b, daled January 14, 1947, effec­ lIVe on Issue. furlher modified the nalional aircraft insignia with the addition of an Insignia Red horizontal stripe centered 10 the white reclangles at each end 01 the Insignia Tho width 01 the red stripe to be one-sixth the radius 01 the blue circle. Once again the nalional aircraft Insignia conlained red. while. and blue. This insIgnia was also applied 10 all nonrigid airships and free balloons.

Army-Navy Aeronautical Speclflcation AN-I-ge. dated August 14. 1947. effective on issue, deleted the speclal 2S Inch (63.50 cm) size insignia fOf use on nIght fighters. The

Below: A North American FJ-I during testing at the Naval Air Test Center. Patuxent River. Maryland. The red nose was both decorative and functional In alerting ground crew to stay Clear when the engIne Is runnIng.

Right: This Grumman A·F7F·3P assigned to VMF· 354 shows the seldom seen -A- prefrx to the aircraft model desIgnation to show it Is a second line combat aircraft. Below: A Grumman FBF· ' Bearcat is shown fOllowIng it successful carrier landing. The Bearcat served as a high performance trainer following withdrawal from front line service.

Left; The remains of a sctappea Consolidated PB'(·SA at Squantum Naval Alr Station showing the new postwar national aircraft insignia In relaUon to the former Insignia and Its location on the hull. Below: Highly polished natural aluminum marks this Grumman XF9F·2 shown here at the firm'S Calverton. long ISland, New York field In 1948. This second prototype of the Panther exemplifies the deslgn's clean and funcdonai lines. Opposite above: Oue to the peculiar Shape of the helicopter. there were few directives whkh specified the Iocatlon of the national aircraft insignia. This Sikorsky H03S·1 of HMX·l carries it In four

light Gray previously authonzed for use I n the nallonal aircraft Inslgma when apphed to the upper wing surfaces 01 aircraft painted semigloss Sea Blue was now to be used on aircraft painted I n Ihe low vIsibility camouflage color scheme InSignia on the WingS was reduced 10 a maximum diameter of 50 Inches ( 1 2 7 00 em), ThiS was soon mochfied. though. wnh the Issue 01 Amendment 1. 10 AN·'· 9c. daled February 4. 1948. which changed the size back 1060 Inches ( 1 52 40 cm) on the WingS

fuselage of all Naval 8ncraft With the excephon of C);P(!f menial models However. the IOslgnla was not to be applied on the "'I09S of research aHcralt when the apphcatlon would Interfere WIth the aerodynamICS 01 Iho aircraft Amendmenl 2. 10 AN·I·9c. daled June 25. 1948. moved lho Insignia 10 the rear of the hull on flytng boats. tho sarno IS on olher aircraft When the fuselage or hull seCII()n 01 any aircraft was not large enough to accommodalO tho minimum size specIfied. the Insignia was to be placed on such other parts of lhe fuselage or hull as would pcrmll II 10 be readily seen from the Side and obtain sUllablc VISibIlity

Amendmenl 3. 10 SR·2f. daled May I. 1918. reqUIred Ihe national alrcrafl InSignia to be applied to the wings and

lOCations.

r---

0 f·.. ro....

, ""' ...

1 1010,...

....

,-

p.rt""

, "XI""

"' �...

,.,.

.... ....

...,

80

ttel·.,.

.....

IHtJClOlll

.....

... "'...

, " l...

+

. ....

, tn_

"

p

, .-"

...

P"",

"

...

a_

I '·· ....

,....

I U''''

�,,-

a ..... � "...

IIl"1IOcIOf

... -

IlJfl'O�

......

�.-

.... ".

.. -

... l'4jt

81

SECTION 3 IDENTIFICATION AND RECOGNITION MARKINGS CHAPTER 3

1 940-1949

The penod from 1940 to 1949 began wIth the aIrcraft beIng painted In the famlltar cokJrlul patnt schemes and recog­ nil ion markIngs associated wIth the US Navy/Manne Corps 81rcraft of the 1920's and 1930's. During the war Ihese ,denlthc9l1on markings were replaced YllIh several styles. each stylo depending on the camouflage system used. After tho cnd of World War II there was a gradual change back 10 colorful markings Generally. these were nOI authorized and, In lacl, were in most cases In direct violation of tho official directives. However, these -v1018110n5· were overlooked In the Interest of unit pride and Spirit BeIng nonregulallon lhere wefe as many colorful markings as thero were squadrons, and these individual un!! markings also changed frequenlly making a complete record Impossible. In addlhon to the colorful treatment of the wings. fuselage and tall assembly. and the national aircraft insignias covered in Socuons I and I I 01 Volume 1 . the following markings were being used at the beginning of this period The POSition 01 the atrcraft in the squadron formation was shown by the colof of the chevron on the upper surface of the wing In addtuon to the cok'K and amount of the cowl painted in a section color Section leaders were dlshngulshed by a band of the appropnate section color around the rear fuselage. Squadron carrier assignment was donoled by lhe color of lhe empennage. while patrol olrcraft and those aSSIgned to battleships and cruisers were tdentlfled by a system 01 horizontal SlrtpeS on the 18JI surfaces to donote their squadron U.S. NAVY and U.S. MARINES. as applicable. was applied on each side of Ihe luselage nudway between lhe lop and bonom fongerons and parallel 10 !he line of fllghl The lasl lener was 10 be

RIghI A bei...t u U y """"ed Crumman Wilda. p/'ooUlgr>piled at Gru"",,",l's CaMnon. l.ong 1lIand. New \Ilrk', fICIlrty III May 1968. The altcrltt', tdenUfk:atlon number. painted atro5S the verucal tJllplint. b not tecordlng to wartJme regulauons. but Is to denOte �·s CMIIlI1 """"p ""' .

Left: Grumman biplanes were among the most colorful aircraft In naval aviation. This F3F·2 was assigned to the commanding officer of VMF·2. The squadron new these airoaft until Just a few weeks before being sent to Ylake Island In F4Fs. When the squadron was reconstituted atter the loss of VIa"'. the squadron Insignia was modified to indude the outline of wake Island around the dMng lion. The lsIand formed the popular .\1" for victory. Bek)w: A Grumman F3F·3 of VF·S In .11 Its glorious """" - Ught Gray metal surfaces. Aluminum doped fabrk: with Orange Yellow on the upper surface of the upper wing. A Red COWl. fuselage band and tail mark this airplane as being the commanding officer's aboard the USS YORKTOWN lCV·S).

Iocaled approXimately t2 Inches (30.48 cm) forward of Ihe rudder hinge. These lellers were to be appropriale in size 10 the alfcraft. but In no case Vlere they to be less than 4 Inches (10.16 cm) In height. A series of three characters of appropriate size and on lhe same cenler line as the U.S. NAVY or U S MARINES Idenl,f,ed lhe squadron. Iype and mdlvldual alfcrah number. The model designation was applied 10 both Sides of Ihe rudder, near the top. In characters 3 Inches (7 62 cm) high. The aircraft serial number was applied. near lhe top. on both Sides of the fin In numerals of the same size and style. In the case of nonflgid airships. Iwo national alfcrslt Insignia flvo feel ( 1 52_40 cm) In diameter were applied to the envelope. One was on lOp. centered on the fore and afl

centerline al the widesl point 01 the envelope. The other was to be on the bottom centerline three leet (91.44 cm) back of a point midway between the front of the car and the bow of the envelope. The class Jeller and number designating each airship, together WIth U.S. NAVY. Vias painted In blue characters 54 inches ( 1 37. t6 cm) high on each side of the envelope centered above the car. The wording was to read from the rear forward on the right side and lorward to the rear on the left side. A third identification group was placed under Ihe bow ten leet 6 Inches (320.04 cm) forward oj the national aircrah insignia. The building leiter and number 01 the car was applied in blue characters 3 Inches (7.62 cm) high on each side 01

Right: Along With the U.S. NAVY and airship designation note the American flag Oylng (rom the stern. This was a carry over (rom the rigid airships which were operated as a ship of the fleet.

the car about midpoint of its length and level with the top longiludinal member. The building leller and number of the envelope was applied in blue characters 3 inches (7 62 cm) high on the bottom lUst alt 01 the national aircraft Insignia. The top of the characters was to be towards the bow In the event the COlor Of the envelope was such that the blue characters were not readily distinguishable. they were to have a white outline 1 inch (2.54 cm) wide around each character.

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Building leiters and numbers were applied on both sides of all control surfaces and stabilizers. These characters were blue and 3 inches (7.62 cm) high. On the elevators and rudders Ihese characters were applied on the white band so that their top edge was 3 inches (7.62 cm) from Ihe in· board edge or the top as applicable. On Ihe IIns or stabili· zers Ihe letters and numbers were painted in direct line with the letters and numbers on Ihe control surfaces and 6 Inches ( 1 5.24 cm) forward 01 the hinge line. On the hori· zontal surfaces. both top and bottom, the characters were placed with their bonom edge outboard. While on Ihe vertl' cal surfaces they were to read from the rear forward on the right side and forward to the rear on the left SIde On March 6. 1 940. the Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics authorized VF·3 to paint an additional chevron on the under surface 01 their Brewster F2A· l alrcrafl a s reqjJested This I s the only known authoflzed use o f a chevron on the under surface of the wing Appendix A 10 lhe NAS San Diego Local Process Speci· flcation No. 128. dated March 8. 1940. specified the size and location lor Model Designation. Bureau Number. and Service Identification (U.S. NAVY). The national aIrcraft In· signla dimensions. specified In this directive. have been covered in Secllon 2. The following Is probably as good a set 01 location dimensions as can be complied lor this period.

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Insignia and vertical Red, Whlt'e, and Blue rudder stripes were .soon to be eliminated In the mange to oomaU Gray airplanes. Bottom Right; san otego. Quantico. and Pon au Prince had Base Air Detachments I . 2. and 3 whkh were the base operating unk providing "'*' over113ul. Ofdna"" support and other such runcOOns. M,B. stands f� Marine BarrackS whkn W35 the base name at this tUne. Opposite: In an eff'on to tuUy ldentlfy them as Amercain aircraft. VP*21 painted the American nag on their aircraft prior to hOstilities In the Pac111c. (jpposlte Bottom, Consolidated PB2Y·2 CO
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The overali lengih ol lhe 6 inch ( 1 5.24 cm) high U.S. NAVY was 32 1/2 Inches (82.55 cm) and 01 Ihe 4 inch (10.16 cm) size was 22 1/4 inches (56.51 cm). On March 27, 1940. the Commander Aircraft, Scouting Force. reported that the patrol aircraft assigned to Alrcrsh Scouting Force, with the e)(ception of VP- 1 4 , were painted as shown befow. Patrol Squadron Fourteen was assigned green markings pending receipt of new aircraft.

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VP·21 - Red VP·22 - Vellow VP·23 - Blue VP-24 - Aluminum VP·25 - Black VP·26 - Green

(Sohd) (Solid) (Sohd) (Sohd) (Sohd) (Double Slflpe)

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(Checker) (Checker) (Checker) (Checker)

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(Solid) (Solid)

DUring the ne)(t two years the number of paltol 8lfera't aSSigned was to Increase appra)(lmately 100 percenl This woutd necossllate numelous Iransfers of aircraft 'rom one

squadron to another, as well as ass1gnmem of now .wcralt to squadrons then In Q)(lstence A reaSSignment of 5qu.1d ron colors and lall mar1fl II made al thiS tIme, rather than upon the dohvCfy 01 neW .1 r· craft With thiS In mind Commandor Aucrah, Scoutlno Force. recommondeO a now system of colors dnd distinctive markings to be assIgned to tho patrOl squadrons Afler several adjustments, these rccommcnda lIons were approved by lhe Commander In Chlol. UnclQf! Siaies Fieci on Juno 5. 1940 InsfructlOns 10 Imptemonl (hO now markings VlorO ISsued on May 3 1 . 1940. by Commander Alrcral1. Scoollng Forc•. to all Patrol Wings as fallows· The colors asslgnod patrOl squadrons cOrlespondod to lhose In use for secuon colors In 18 plano squadrons and were FltSl cquadron In Oach wing

Rod

Socond squadron In each wing

Whllo

Third squadron In oach Wing

Blue

Fourih squadron In eaCh wcng

Black

Fchh squadron In each wing

Green

Slxlh squadron In each "",ng

- Yello-N

RIght' A SBD·3 assigned to US. Fleet Aircraft. Tactical Unit painted overall Gray WItt'I White markings. This was a smaU unit under control of Commander AJrcaft. BatUe Force. US. Fleet to evaluate tactk::s. etc. MkkUe Left: Number one alrcat't ofVP·12 wnh Its

Left: The tall of a PBY·3 of Utility Squadron One of the Base Force (VJ- l F) In May 1940 showing the location of single stripes on Ule vertical and horizontal surfiKes. In this case a black line is used to separate the White from the Aluminum finiSh.

To dIstinguIsh alrcrafl assigned to the Wings of Aircraft ScoutIng Force the following distInctive markings were specified for each Wing. Patrol Wing One

Single Verlical Stripe

Pallol Wmg Two

Double Vertical Stripe

PallOf Wtrlg Three

$Ingle HOl'lzontal Sltlpe

Palfol Wing Four

Double HOflzontal SlHpe

Patrol Wing rNe

S<>,d

Pallol WlOg S,K

Checkered

Paltol Wing Seven

Double Vertical Stnpes

The Instructions for the applicalion of these tail markings, delailing theIr size and location, were as follows: Single Vertical Sulpe: Width of stripe was to be one·thlrd of the maximum chord 01 honzontal stabilizer and elevator (approximatety 32 Inches (81.28 em(). The rear edge of the rudder surpe was to be In line with the traihng edge of the elevator. and the forward edge of the rudder stripe was to be In hne WIth the rear edge of the elevator and hoc,zenta) stabilizer stupe Double VertK:a1 Stripes; Width of stripes was to be one-f,'th 01 the mrumnum chard of hanzontal stabilizer and elevator (approximately 18 1/2 ,nches (46.99 emil. The stropes were placed symmetrically on the horizontal surfaces and the rudder stupes were placed so that edges of the stripes were In line with those on the horizontal surfaces to form a conhnuous strrpe of a given color Single Horizontal Stripe: Width of stripe was to be one-third of the span of half the hOllzonlal slab,hzer (approximately

54 Inches ( 1 37 16 em) The SI11pe was 10 be placed sym­ metncally on the two sides of the hOflZontal stabilizer and eJov8tOf, and synYOOtncally on the rudder With respect 10 the elevator DoubJe HOfizoOlal Slnpes' Width of stripes on horizontal surfaces was to be one-filth of span of half the horizontal stabilIZer. (approximately 33 ,nehos {83.82 em» and spacod symmetrically on the two sides of the horizontal stabIlizers and elevators, Widlh of stripes on rudder was to be one·frfth of verUcal dimension of rudder and fai ring area benealh lhe rudder. approximalely 28 Inches (71.12 em). and spaced symmolroca1ly wnh respecl to lhe elevator

90

StrIpes on horizontal surfaces (horizontal stabilizers and elevators) extended over those combined surfaces. Stripes on vertical surfaces (the rudder) covered only that surface, while the verlical fin retained its original aluminum finish. When solid coIofs were used, only the tail control surfaces (rudder and elevator) were to be painted. Dimensions for checkered designs were for the squares to be 20 inches (SO.80 em) on a side. Only the tall control sur­ faces (rudder and elevator) were to be painted i n checkered tall markings. A one inch

(2.54 cm) black border stripe was required on

all cofored markings to improve color contrast and the line of demarcation.

The dimensions and locations specified above applied to

the PBY type only. The dimensions were given In approxi· mate terms In order to permit units to adjust the cok>r lines and rib spacings as considered desirable to produce the best appearance In tall painting. Once again this accounts for some of the vanaUons seen in these markings. While the directives specified an assortment of tail mark· Ings, thete are few photographs thaI show how they were aClually applied, There appear to be several factors that contrIbuted to the drrth of photographs. As the number of patrol squadrons expanded, the existing aircraft were transferred to gIve some to each new squadron, This

Red cowts. chevron and fuselage band, Note the thin White slripe to separate the Red chevron from the Orange Yellow of the wing. Tail stripes are Lemon Yellow. Middle Right: Northrop BT- I s o f the Training Command flying over MiamI. Aorida. Bottom: North American SNJ·2 assigned to the Naval Reserve Air Base New York. 1l1e True Blue cowl and fuselage band would be correct for number 7 aircraft in a fleet squadron. The Blue tait assembly was a recognition feature on the New York reserve

aircraft.

Lett: A Curtiss SBC·3 assigned to the AIr Group Commander on the YORKlOWN ICV·S). The empennage and diagonal strfpe on the fuselage denoting the CAG are Red. the color assigned to the Yorktown. Bottom Left: Vought 03U·3 assigned to tile Naval AIrcraft FactOI)' In Philadelphia during the test of prelacquered paper tape for quick camounage. Bottom Right: Close up of prelacquered paper tape being evaluated as a quick means of camounage In 1940.

USS

resulted in many squadrons having only SIX alrcrafl With so few aircra't the chances of a photograph showing specific squadron markings became quite slim. I I was realiled thai such an extensive change would cause excessive WOfk loads on the squadrons which were self­ supportmg and receIVed hllle help from the stations or OaRs. as well as causing Interference with approved schedulel3 If allempled immediately Due to the pending IIansfer of altcraft and squadrons within the various wings. It was directed lhal aircraft and squadrons thai were 10 be transferred did not have 10 be palnted until located in the now organization. To further ease the problem. il was directed thai the change must be completed in each squadron during any quaner. bUI lhal all airerall assigned al the lime of the dlfective had 10 be painted In the new markings by January I . 194 ·1 . It I S believed thaI many o f the transferred aircraft did have tho squadron number changed But due to the amount 01 work necessary to repaint the large lail assembly and be­ cause of more pressing needs. the aircralt conllnued to be operaled wlih !he prevrous squadron lall markings. il lS also thought lhat due to this workload some of the new aircraft were simply never painted If lhese assumptK>ns are COf­ rocl. then the new squadron tail mari(Jngs were little more lhan a paper designation and wer•• In fscl. never applied 10 many of the aircraft before the entIre tail marking system was abandoned These markings wore ehmlnated by the change 10 lhe IWO-lono camouflage scheme which became

effective December 30. 1940. and the subsequent direc­ tive on markings dated February 26. 1941. On July 2. 1940. the Chief 01 Naval Operations authorized the Commander in Chief. United States Fleet, 10 designate the identification tail markings of aU US Reet aircraft using any combination of colors or designs as he saw fil. A series 01 tests were conducted in 1939/1940 to determine the practicability of using colored Scotch tape for temporary identification ma�ings during hostilities. It was visualized that this would be a quicker method than the use of temp­ orary water soluble paints. It was found in the initial tests that the color of the tape lended to remain on the aircraft surface afler removal of Ihe lape. /I was suggesled Ihal addilional tape with the color on the outside be procured lor additional evalualion. Lacquered paper decorator tape was also procured. II was determined by actual fleet tests that the tape was difficult to apply and came off easily in flight. The removal of the tape also resulted in undesirable removal of the aircraft protective finish. In any event. the designs available were not apparent enough at medium or long ranges to make the tape worthwhile in view of the other objections. In a report to the Bureau of Aeronautics. daled July 19. 1940. Commander In Chief. Unilad Slales Reel, concurred with the findings of Commander Aircraft Bailie Force and Convnander Airerafl. Scoullng Force. lhal service lesls of decorator's tape for idenlificatlOf'l of aircraft had a harmful tendency and. in any case, would not serve !he Inlended purposa.

Right, A Curtiss SOC of Cruiser Scoutlng Squadron 7. Number 3 airplane shOws that tI'Ie USS WICHITA (CA· 45). which carried four airplanes. was the f\agship of Cruiser Squadron 7. Bottom: While the PB2M·! Marl succumbed to the wartime paint scheme it still continued to carry its name on the bow. This was perhaps the only airptane to continue to have Its popular name applied in violation of the directives.

On December 1 . 1940. the designation of training squadrons at NAS Pensacola. Flonda. were changed as follows: OldOUlgnanon VN208

TypeTraining Pumaty

NewDeSignation VN1Q8.A VNt[)8.B

It must be remembered that the color schemes for the var· IOUS squadrons were also changed wuh lhese changf's In deSignatIOn. The new SR·2b. SpecdlcallOn for Naval AIfCfiJlt Insrqnm and Markmg. was Issued with an effecllvo date 0 1 December 14, 1940. Class deslgnahons wefO Incroaood to conform WIth the expanded aIrcraft miSSIOn ass'gnm<:nl lo include lhe followIng

VNtD8-C VNt[)8.D·

•

VN3D8

Basle

VN2D6

VN5D6

Instrument

VN3D6

VN4D6

Advanced VP

VN4D6

VNID6

Advanced VO·VCS

VN5D6

This squadron was to be formed about April, 1941.

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General UtIlity

VS

Ultllty Transpott

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Rigid Nonrigid Kite AI!lbIJI ...AlrIhlJL. IIAll=l

4

Bottom Left: This Gromman F4F·3 of VMF· 121 IS overall Gray with White lettering. Mar1dngs on the fin and rudder are correcuy applied. Bottom Right: A Vought SB2U·3 of MoMne Scoutlng Squadron 2 (VMS·2) soon to become vMSe·231 . The location of ma�ngs on the fin and rudder do oot conform to the directives.

LOCATION OF MARKING ON A PBYWING

Training

VN

Observahon

VO

Ob�rvahon Scouung

ves

Patrol

VP

PnUoi Bombmg

VPB

TranSJ)OfI (MuIIIOng1l10)

VA

Scouting

VS

Scouhng

Bombmg

Scoullng Obscrvallon

ZAN

ZAP

ZNN

ZKN

ZN

ZKO

ZNP

number as well as the letters and numbers denoting the manufacturer. class and model were applied only to the outboard side, The following list of assigned tail colors and designations reflects the increased number of squadrons, Pauot Wlng One - Single Vertical Stripe (Elevators and Rudder)

ZRS

ZN

VSB ves

Torpedo Bombing VTB Tran�porl (Slnglc-ong1no) VG The Camer Air Group Commander's alfcraft was 10 be Idenllflcd by a diagonal band. 14 inches (35.56 cm) wide. around the fuselage forward 01 the service marking. The deslgnaloon COMMANDER (name of ship) GROUP was 10 be prunted hotlzontally on each side of the fuselage This band was to be of the same color as the distinguishing empennage palntu'lg 01 the carrier group. The designatIOnS on aircraft with multiple tads for the serial

VP· l 1 VP·12 VP·13 VP-14

- Insignia Red - While - True Blue - Black

Patrol Wing Two - Double Vertical Stripe (Elevators and Rudder) VP-22 VP·23 VP·24 VP·2S VP·26 VP·27

- Insignia Red - While - True Blue - Black - Willow Green - Lemon Yellow

Patrol Wing Three - Single Horizontal Stripe (Elevators and Rudder) VP·31 VP·32

- Insignia Red - While

Right: In 1940. nonriglds stin carried the airship designation on the bOttOm of the envelOpe 31 the bow with the national aircraft. Insignia. The aIrship designation was still carried on the side. ROO, White, and Blue rudder stripes were also carried. Middle Right: Vought SB2U·2 of VS·72 assigned to Ule neutrality patrol. Note the half cowl Willow Green denoting aircraft number 15 and how the Blue stripe on the rear of the propeller Is continued Inboard to prevent glare In the pllofs eyes.

VP-33 VP·34

- True Blue - Black

PatIol Wing Four and Rudder) VP-41 VP-42 VP·43 VP·44

- fnsignia Red - White - True Blue - Black

Patrol WIng Five Vp·Sl VP·S2 VP·S3 VP·S4 VP·SS VP·S6

- Double Honzontal Stripe (Elevators

- Solid (Complele Empennage)

- Insignia Red - While - True Blue - Black - Willow Green - Lemon Yellow

Patrol Wing Six - Checkered (Elevators and Rudder) VP-6 1 VP·62

- Insignia Red - WhIle

Patrol Wing Seven - Double Vertical Stripe (Elevators and Rudder) VP.71 VP-72

- InSignia Red

- While

Batlleship.based squadrons and UtiIlly Squadrons were designated by solid lall colors similar to the carrier·based squadrons. VO· I VO·2 VO·3 VO-4

_

Inslgnla Red. solid (Complcte Empennage)

- While, solid (Complete Empennage)

- Truo Blue, solid (Complete Empennage)

_

BlaCk. solid (Completo Empennage)

vO·s

- Lemon YellOw. sohd (Completo Empennage)

VJ· !

- WtlkJw Green, sobd (Completc Empennage)

VJ·2 VJ·3

lemon Yellow. soItd (Complele Empennage) - Alum"....,. solid (Comt>IcI. Empennago)

Crulser.based squadrons and &pCC131 alfcraft not asslgnod to a squadron wero doslgnated by stripeS on tho elevators and rudder only Truo 8100. Doublo HOJlzornot Siripo

VC5-2

InSlgnl8 Rod. Doublo HOfitontnJ SUlpe

VC5-3

Truo Bloo. SmglO Homonlol SI,.po

VCS·.

lemon YnllOw SlnglO Horizontal SIIIPO

VCS·5

Black. SlnglO HO(lzonlill S"lpe

VC5-6

Wltcw G,oen. SlngIO HOruonraJ SIlIPO

VC5-7

Blado' 00ub'C HotlaJnl4l Str!pe

vcs-a

'II,

VCS-9 V'..s O£lROO USS RlCHI.'OtlO

Glcon. Double HorllQn1stl SlflpO

I�goo Bluo. 00ub6e HOltzont.al SlflPO

USS RA1£1GH _

l"..qnaa BIuo. Double Horllont.1J SUIPO InstgnIti Rad ()Q.bre Hotronl Su�

Left: Grumman Wildcat from VMF-I l l at Qui1ntJeo Wh�1t on

rTllneuYm_ A most peculiar marking, even though temponry. to be carried on II t.act!al arrent\.. In keeping With tho corrOCt color names. lhe colors for tho ClImora wOro glvon as' LOXlnglon SorOiogn Rangor

Yor�IOWl1 fnlOlprlso Wasp

Lamon Yollow WhIlO Wrllow Groen InSignia Rod Truo Bluo Block

Tho nnrno IS chongod from beloro, but Iho colors ramoln tho snrno In thO ovont 0 squadron did havo an approved InSignia. Iho dlroctlvo now roquired It 10 be appliod 10 tho lusolago of tho unit's Dlrcrnlt ThO Instructions for pointing tho chovron and alroraft num. IlOr on Ih uppor surloeo ol lho wing had 10 be modiliod 10 accommodate mof'K)plonos FOI low-wing monoplanos tho alrcrafl numbor was palnled on oach OUt9r wing panol mld­ w(1Y bOlwoon tho nallonol aircraft Insignia and Iho

oxuomlty of the cenior wing panel Whore posslblo tho ehovron was 10 be applied so Ihal lho apox ol lho ehovron allgnod with Iho eonlor 01 Ihe pliot's eockpll When Iho chevron markings on lhe wing terminated at lho leading odge. II was 10 be continued to a point on tho undor

RighI- CuntSs SOC " of VB 8 Wlln special rNrklncp. lor use (Juring rroneuvefS whICh Wtfl' tffmlnlted by the bombing of Pearl UarbOr on Oecfmbtr 7. 1!).11 Bottom Tn., pnotoof the operating ,}rea at NAS NorfOlk In february 1942 UlustralH the variCtty of markings being used A oore mttal SNJ aSSIgned to Vf·72 fOf IMl rurnent work With no ruckJ« stripes or SIde lMsJonla Another Wit! metal SNJ With rvdOet SltiPt'5 as w I as tacHcal olrcrnft With and wltflOot rudder stripes Cln be seen

30,

ThO Buroou 01 AorOn ullca lOti r d 10d Decombor t940. which speClltod lho overoll gray sch mo fOf all ShiP' based aircraft, and blu gray anCi oroy schema lor patrol 8lfcrall. did not give any �nSUUCtions lor tho opptlCohon 01 Insignia and mnrklngs ThiS was 10 be covorod In soporOlO

surlneo ol lho wing approxlmalely "va porconl ol lho chord Irom lho loadrng odge.

correspondence

In addition 10 lho normal proSCrtbed squadron markings. alrcrall used In Instrument training wore 10 be painted With lwo rod lora and all s"lpos. Ihroo 1001 (9 1,44 em) wldo, on the uppor suriaco 01 Iho upper wings and lowor surfaco of Iho lowor wIngs, In add Ilion, e Ihroo 1001 (91 44 em) wldo

Tho follOWing system 01 ",nrklngs, USing both colOlS and shapes. was submlttod to tho Buroou of Aoronautlcs by

d bond was to be palntod around Iho fusclago forward 01 Iho horl70nlal slabllizor.

1

ThO oxact slzo and shapo of lellors Dnd numorals 10 bo appllod 10 airships and alrerall was shown lor Iho IIrSI limo slneo Alrcrafl SPOClllcBlion No, 49, dalod Doeombor 19 I 9, and used tho anginal Uluslralion.

Loft; A Nortn AmencIn SNJ·J wr1h Red wing '00 fuf.eCIge stripes to lnCJate rt ts In Instrument UlIIW prior to May t942

ThiS lack of InSlruChons concerning tho idontlhcahon mark, Ing to be applied caused some concern Within tho lIeol

Flghllng Squadron 71 (VF·7 1 ) on January �, 1941 As rn tho Old systom. Ihero wore 10\11 lIoms that noodod to be Idontiliod by Iho markor 1 Corrlor 10 which alrcrnft WOS Asslgnod

2, Squadfon tho alrcralt was 0 unlt 01

J Sochon thu wrcwll Wi IS II uM 01 4 Numoor WIthin tho

hon

110m numb or 1 tho cnrrlor 10 which Iho .llrer,11I N I assigned was shown by tho "'.h.�PQ of tho m.lfk,·, 110m numbor 2. tho squ.1dron thO i'llfcruh Wd'l ., un I of w3 Indlcnlod by IhO colOr ils9tgnod Ihe SQU.ldron II """. 1 ,ocommondOd 1hl\l lho GIRod.ud wehon colef,.. be fI'l.I (i 101 nli thOso m.llklngs II m numbor J, tho (jOClton Iho tIIfcrull WiI!I

II

UI1II 01 ...... 1

st'lOWn by tho stnndArd Wclton colo, II m numbor 4. Iho numbor or po ilion ol lho wrt:rull wlltllfl IhO Bocllon, wOS IndlCnlod by Iho oSlobll!,hOd f..t!qW'II('1I (If COIOfS by UGlnO rod. whlto. Or bluo, to Coueupond 10 I, , 01 3

Left: Many airplanes betng used (Of tralnJng continued to use some of the markings tney used While In the fleet. such as the cok)(ed taU surfaces on the P2V·2. .shown here. at HAS Pensacola. F1oOda.

Right: These P3M·2s at HAS �oIa. ln 1940 only carry a sequential SIde number (or

Ide
during Apnl 1940.

A numbor 01 dlfforont shaped markers that could be assigned to dillorent comers were submltled II was rccorrrncndod that only figures constructed With straight lloos be used In rcadlng these markers, If the stnpes or seChonS wore vortlcal, they were to be read from left to fight. If honlental. from top to bottom; If diagonal. from left to tight, and If concenttlc. 'rom the center OUt An oxamplo of tho system was submilled uSing VF-7 1 , whICh depICted all eighteen combinahons for a squadron A toongle divided Into three equal parts was selected to represent the USS WASP Reading clockWise from the top Ihoso SOCllons Indicated. (lop) squadron. (fight corner) SOCttOn. (loft corner) number In section. In this example. II was Assumed that VF-71 as the first fighter squadron aboord would be assigned the color red. In this case. the markor lor 7 1 - F - l would be solid red because Iho

squadron color was red. the first section cok>r was red, and the number one aircraft In the section was 10 be Indicated by red The rest of the markers In the example are sell­ explanatory The only other manung required was a black numeral on the leading edge of the left wing. clear of the propeller arc. for the benefit of the landing Signal Officer While II was felt by the squadron that this would be a simple system to learn and could be applied 10 both sides of the vertical tail surfaces. II was really more complex than the established system which had just been discontinued. The marker would have to be large enough to distinguish, espeCially the concentnc shapes. and would reintroduce bught colors to destroy the basic camouflage. In addition, It had the same limitations of the old system. whIch had reached its maximum capabilities. In thai there were not enough colors or shapes for all the carriers then

contemplated In any event the system was rejeCted and the squadron was directed :/l apply the normal fuselage markmgs Specific markings for all Patrol Wings alfcraft were ISSUed by Commander Alfcrait. Scouting Force. on February I , 1941 The aIrcraft type and serial number on t h e tall were 10 be 4 Inches ( 1 0 1 6 em) high While U 5 NAVY was nol specified It was to be the same SIZO. All squadron InSignia, chevron. gunnery "E�s and squadron markings were to be eliminated The number of aircraft WIthin tho squadron was to be painted on both sides of the bow. afl of the national aircraft insignia, and on the conter soction of the wing. 24 inches (60.96 cm) high The number 01 the squadron was not to be used. The numbers 01 the aircraft assigned to the first section 01 each squadron wero to be nonspecular Red: the second section nonspecular White; the third section

nonspecular Bloo. the fourth sectIOn nonspocular Gft.."'Cn and spare aircraft woro to be painted nonspacu'nr Yc kiN These aucrall numbers were assIgned In blocks of 15 consecutive numbers for each squadron ,n a Wlnq The k)west numbered squadron was to use 1 to 15. tho �0C0fl{1 16 10 30. cle Thus VP· 1 I would use numbers I 10 15 VP 12 numbers 16 to 30. VP- 1 3 numbers 31 to 45. VP t ·1 numbers 46 to 60 The bloCk of fifteen numbers W,)$ to be used fOf each squadron of a Wing urespectllll) o· tl 0 numbor 01 aucrall assigned Tho first knovm dlrectlVo menhonlng the unll doSlqndtlQ; markings was a Bureau of Aeronautics lettor 10 vr 7 t dated February 18. 1941 Pending receipt of ",poelhe In structlons VF- 7 1 was authOfllcd to apply tho conventional fuselage markings. I e., 7 1 -F- I , In charaCters 12 Inchn!l (30 48 em) In height In while on Ihe sides of tho lusolaqu

+ +

SOC

1 1$ �� to the USS SAJ.T LAKe. cm AboYt; ThIs Curtm ICA 25) and urnes t:Py U'It True BWt � hOnlontil � "'r� qf VCS·4 'Of �ltd1C411OO

II 98

II

J •

Right:

A Grumman WildCat wnh unit kJentifJcatJon In Black against the Blue Gray two tone $Cherne to provide the lean visibility. Bottom: This Lockheed PBO·l of YP-82 based at Argentla. NewfOUndland. has a combinatJon of the Bntfsh camouflage and tne US natJonal alrtraR. Insignia and ruader SlOpes.

lli i a o I b l u aQh Pensacola, Issued a memorandum on the markings thai wore 10 bo appllod 10 thoir pOlrol planes The squadron was dlvldod InlO 'IVO divisions In much the sarno manner

-Il1IL-

C�I

SlllhplylllAn �

�

Cowl

...IlllllIcllJ1

�

Nooe

eo

Red

61

None

82

BluD

Aluminum

Nono

30

os a pOlrol wing was divided InlO squadrons. Each division was composed 01 nine airplanes The aircraft wore

Bluo

All Rod

Red

31

loman Yollow All Rod

Blue

Top hall Red

Noo.

32

numbored and marked on the cowl. bolly. and 1811 In much tho same mannor as airplanes In lIeet squadrons

Blue

Bollom hall Rod

Non.

33

Lemon Yellow Top hall Red Lemon Yellow Bottom hall Rod

None

63

Blue

All Whllo

While

34

Lemon Yellow All WhUe

Whllo

Blue

Top hall White

None

35

lemon Yellow Top hall WtU!O

None

&I

Tho unll digit Indicated the number 01 lhe aIrplane within

Blue

Bolton hatl While

Non.

36

Lemon YellOw Bouom hall 'Nhllo

Non.

66 67

tho diVISIOn. while tho lens dlgtl Indicated the dIVIsion num· bor The standard sequence of Navy color markings were used on tho lolls 10 indicate the diVISion number All 81'· planes with numbers endIng In letO were spare alrcrafl

-Il1ILRed

CtlWl Aluminum

...IlllllIcllJ1 None

An Bluo

Blue

37

lemon YollOw All 811,10

Bluo

Bluo

Top hall Blue

None

36

Lemon Yellow Top hall Blue

None

Bluo

Bollom hall Bluo

Noo.

39

Lemon Yellow Bouom hall Bluo

ROd

AIi Roa

ROd

II

ROd

Top Mil Rod

None

12

Rod

Botlom half Red

Non.

FourthPlyilioo

� 10

13

�

Cawl

...IlllllIcllJ1

�

Black

Aluminum

Noo.

40

Block

All ROd

ROd

41

Slack

Top hall Rod

None

42

Black

Bonom half Red

Non.

43

Black

AII Whllo

'liMo

44

Black

Top holl WhIlO

Non.

45

Black

Bouom hall While

None

46

Rod

AJI WhIIO

ROd

Top hall WhIlO

Rod

Bonom hall WhIlo

None

16

ROd

All Bluo

Blue

17

Rod

Top hall Bluo

None

16

Block

AII Bluo

Bluo

47

Rod

Bollom holl Bluo

None

19

Block

Top hall Bluo

None

48

Bouom half Blue

None

49

'liMo

14

Non.

15

810ck

SecondQlylllAO -Il1IL_10

CgwJ

...IlllllIcllJ1

fll1ll.llliIIlI �

VJhlIO

Alumonum

None

20

All Rod

Rod

21

_Ie

Bonom hall Red

None

23

_Ie

Top hllll Rod

None

22

-Il1IL-

Cowl

WdlOw Groon AlumInum Willow Groon All Rod

�

Nooo Rod

�

SO

51

WillOw Groen Top hOlI Rod

Nooo

52

W,llowG'oon Bonom haJl Rod

None

53

While

All Whllo

'NhliO

24

Willow Groon All WhiiO

WhIle

WhliO

Top hUlI WMo

None

25

Willow Gleen Top holl Whllo

Noo.

55

White

Bouom holl Whlto

None

28

W,lIow GfOon Bollom hall While

Nooe

56

While

AU Bluo

Blue

27

Willow Groon AJl 8luo

Blue

67

W'Me

Top hllil Blue

Willow Groen Top hall Blue

Nooo

Vlt'liIO

BOUDm hIlII Blue

None

None

2B 29

Lomon Yollow Aluminum

Blue

El!Jlilh:JJjgn

100

...IlllllIcllJ1

Wd'OwGreen Bol1Dm hIlll Blue

None

54

58 59

Non.

as

The numbor was 10 be applied 10 each sldO 01 tho hull Ytllh liS lorward edgo In lino wllh Ihe all .dgo of Iho pllol's sliding window, No dlm.nslons w.ro spoclflod lor Ihoso large numbers. As conditions deteriorated In Europo, the US Navy SIWIOO 10 move mto a warllme environment On FObruiJry 26. 1941, lhe Bureau of AeronauliCS ISSued 1.110r Aer·E·25·HY. Extsrior Palntrng and InsIgnia and Marking 01 Flool Aircraft. This dlfoclive brought an end 10 tho colorful recognition markings two months alter Iho bright color schemes had beon abolished II called for tho 1011o-h'IOQ

66

marking changos

69

numerals was described The characlor width was 10 bo approxlmalely 3/4 of Iho holghl Tho wldlh of lhe IndiVidual SltOk •• forming Iham was 10 bo 1/6 01 Iho hOlghl All characters wore 10 be of tho mod/llod vcrueal bk>ck typO.

The squadron al this lime was lIylng Ihe PBY and Iho stripe on the rudder was 10 be belween Iho third and fillh ribs Irom Iho lOp. The stripe on the elevalors was 10 bo belween tho flrsl (not end) nb. from the outboard SIde. 10 the third fib. A stnpe was 10 be applied 10 each elevator

Allhough no .Iphabel was shown. lhe shape 01 10110r. ond

uniform In shape and SilO. All loiters and numerals applied 10 the outer surfacos 01 aircraft woro 10 be olthor nonspacular Black ex WhIIO. dopendrng upon Iho colO< 01

IA/\ CU"I>' S(JC-:JA �lIC1lf1O on '110 USS I.oNG 00..'I0Il ISlAND (ACV ') . NOI. ,110 _ vas ....

'Uf VS 201 Indtruling II " "',\lQntd 10 In NCO« catflft A' [ 0tl 5coutlno SqUllI ,on;»:OI 001lom Left A IIOugh, OS?U-3 .,10"" '0 '110 COMfnoIntlH f"alfOi Wlng'l AU"nlk' flfilt p.tlnlNJ Ul tnt "andard ntc1 c(MOrS raU\H IhM II .. Oark llIut hntl.tpo PftMOU\Iy �lf\tId (PI' (Dmtn.1Of1 .'Itnln OOllom RlotH VcMIQIIt OS2U·3 ot VO I ."00.... '0'110 ",,,,..n'p USS ARlI.oNA Ino �) In 1M two lone scnome N",,, hOw 61 k Ii ultld on Inti Blue Ora)' ana Will,. on UlCl l lOnt 0(6), fPf' It'a'iI V;\lI)lIII), .. y we.o pphOO TI10 coIot uf>Od bHckO."""d '" whICh lI Willi 10 provldo tho lomu CO" IIO&I with It& b tk grouod ,I

WhllO Wltl 10 I)U ull d on light GrAV

ray

nd Block on 81uo

Tho locoHon of Iho HVjCO mlItklng wit!'! c hnngod from Ih fu',olnuo to nl)OVo thn 'fj , n\JIl100r on tho Y fliC(ll lin Tho U S WilD oilln.n IIlId Mil NAVY 01 MARINES wos 10 bo I .nell (2 b� em) high. n woo illO 001101 numbo. nd mod I tlOB1onnuOfl ' ll060 lllOll womonl a nlso oppliod 10 pOlrol lmerull nnd lIupou.odod thoso speolflod by Commnndor Aucrnlt, Scouung r ()fCO. on rObfunrv 1, 1 94 1

rtHlOlngo 81du ll11lfklng

WOrD ol\ly 1 0 b O wOOd tOf Idonl!

IIclllion "lIIpoI10S Ihoy conllnuod 10 uso Iho Ihroo d 81g nfiling mrHklll{J6 01 squadron numbor, squadron 01£108, nnd nwntw, 01 nlrcrnlt In I ho oquO(Jron lhOflO rnarklnOtl w ro ,ocII.e,," 10 I? �a om) In holghl TllO olro,"11 numbor WO" 0100 10 bO "olnlod In Iho eonlOr 01 "'0 wing cpon rOf monon/nnoa. Iho numbOr was to bo pln od on

Inohon (30

o

ooeh holl 01 11m wino w.lh Iho Inboa.d odgo 01 A dl6looeo IrOln Iho luoolngo aqunl 10 OOO-hAIl 01 1M ovoroll wldlh 01 'hQ lu 1000 A nmnll numo. I 00 IhQ upper hall ol lho COWl WOll nulho,,/Od to In(JlcOIO tho numbo, al tho aIrcraft Within thO Iquodron

Cok>fod tOil markings, Including tho \I rueal foct. while and bluo stupes nd socllon markings, I e , wing chovrons and

luaolog bRnda, woro ollmlnAtod. os wore englno cowl b nds Socuon Idonlt'teRlton was by tho aircraft numbor ooly

Tho u80 01 Iho MfHlnO Corps omblom on nlromll woe

l ormlnlll d

roup Commnndo.o· !rlpeO w ro IImlnmoo COMMAND en (nomo 01 Ship) GROUP wno rol Inod In 4 lnoh ( 10 I em) I 11810 hofllOOIAlly 01' OAch aldo 01 IhA luoologo

Sllppl monlol InO!rUCIlOOS conco.nlng Iho 10001100 01 ,od InSHUmOn! 81rjP09 w to iusuod by tho 6uronu 01 Aoro­ �4. I 41 Tho OUlboa.d odoo 01 IhO 10.0 ond oil .,rlPO. 00 'ho wings wos 10 be 12 Inoh08 (30 �O em) Inboa.d 01 Iho nAllooOI Al,crAIl Inslgol ThO 8!rlpo on Iho luoologo wa. 10 bo Appro. lmnloly mldwoy belwoon Ih !rniling odgo 01 Iho wing nod Iho lOAd Ina odgo 01 1110 n uilco 00 ApIII

horl/0l1101 810blll/o., On May ?O. I 4 1. ono CommAndo. In CI,lol. Unllocl SIAlOO AIiAno le FioO!. 18S110d 0 dlroo llvo IhAi now .oom. I"dlcrollo Tho 'oeonl oomo"""OO 01 A,lanlle Fiool nl,ornll lind ron dorOd Ih m moro dl l"euII 10 100010 In IhO ovonl 01 A 10reoCi Innd lng 01 600 In ordo, 10 asslSI 80Arcl,'ng olrernll nnd 1I08S010. onch olrcrall (Innd· or wAlQ(·basod) wM horoollor 10 corry. on all Ovor wnior I lighis . n enn 01 ,ondy-ml.od brighl Olong Or brlghl yollow polnl (or dopo) nod 0 bruSh ThiS oqulpmont was 10 be Slowed In such n loe lion thOl II woold bo roadlly neeessible '0 l ho pllol In eOGO 01 A lo.cod landing In lho WOIO' Ii WHS loll Ihol pAlnling Iho IUGolngo. 1011 SurfACos. wings, and other potuons 01 tho 81rcroll wllh Ih.s OIango Of yollow PIIlnl. subsoqUOni lO 0 IOIeed landing. would rMlOrlRlly OOSIS! In locating tho oircroil in thO w(I!or

Rio'" �I -1fm4n N. 1 Ir.lflffl ,tt HAS Cony flttd Wfll lIIu""'" 1hl $Imptt numMc.t' I'!IUf\btt1nQ Of IrpI.\hh In I� TUI,"t'IU CM\I�Od WIth no '.!trwe to A 1q\J.W110ft nllMt)(lf Ihi llircr.n 'I' �1Qw owr,ll With 01 It

ma�� t::'�n�M :son!!:�:�h��St::: �1? OOltom l.rf1 Vouohl SIllU of�42 .�(U UII

US:; llAN ,rR ICV4) In Au<J'''' '1)4;' 'IIt OWO '01\0 wntme tM, r4C1Ctd In 11* poiOl tt I no line of Ool1om "Igln AUonV'"' d,tfY\!trC'.tlM ('41(\ tit , wtlill u"litU1 r;ln CAu con\kW4hte 1(()qbWi a, In m. Cil 01 tnll OS2U tUngf'knt, Thts ""000 m.tftong I®nUf\M Iht numtwr lWO IrpiarMI '''On«:I1O Ht��""" and Sfrvl(' SquaC'lrM or Marino AIrCrAft QU)l.IP f.aewn

--------�-

rllff1UM�

lAn af ( 'It(,lt1 SCOUllllU ��IMdfoo �. Ivn' 1f.) III IIIIc1 1 ,II MIdOIt W,ln lllt tt.')IICt '" Oult'! I,I 4 1 1ft JUly "* "'1JI11"', no kwluVI Wfl It, tw .ppt., 1 10 It., Itllr�'If)' �1I .. tltufl IV' lind 1I11t...t\ lliJ!f,tJf' (btl!lnuftJ In tc)f1\4l tht""Mllfh OottOfn l.fIft rHl. �1I0. ..nd I4h �lnu "l�1 1 11"(lI fflttrJIlfY 0<1 II .. W, INOI 1'1 NOIN I (W U) M.y 11M I ",A. 11141 11", " t( 14n IIUlIlhtfli Il.)vt Oft!fl fM1l1l11t1 Willi" ICIf

,qlWJf()tt 11*

rf'(MIr;tl

l �;'��\iJ:\I�N lrro��,i1I;:::,"J�U;;':':�I��": �ri,1t1

jWY"llIlftflt Of tll4fklntH 10 h. mooil on 1Ii11111f\(1

mklw4IY In WW 1/

I)lltll(l'

tllQln lno .ftp!1r41!Qfl flf lhl,I'(I"" lIumbfr ofl tf� fOf'tlWU tl(JUt Clf u* cOWl Of 14'�hnu UN' IJOe')! , ., M Ihl., Wn'Jtftl, wI' lin 0fJ!�4j _kJ 10 ifill ptlllll (1i11t,IO In Iitffllltyll'f,J II!, lin ., It l,ltlOO In. 00110411 A !itH III')UOIIWfll thlilltr III NAS M�IOOUfll., I kHkk

1111

NA Son Diogo, 1 00#1 I'loco.n II,J11CI/IClilloli NQ 1:18n, (1(11 a JnnulllY ?, 1 �?, ,, Ih" only tU, ellvo known 10 Nfl/lClly 1110 1001111011 01 n,,111 U NUinilor, NAVY nl1(1 lho Modol Numl)fll on IIwl 111,1 !tilt".!! pulnlU(j with rOO ftnd wliliO hOli/onl I I"'p"n I ""y wit'" 10 "0 lJ)pllod In nft olon" "0'0010",11 IIU IIOftNlblO wllh Ihft ono till III 01 IhIt luddor lulll """fldy ".It"lliftll d, 1ltJ1 10 1>0 IOolllod u. 10 lOll onilloly within /I IIOlid Ill! bl Ok In

tiM)

coiQI In611111<1

01

lillid 01 01 whltO

0010<, nnd 10

Comm 11(10/ AI'�"'It, Ooollllno 1 0,C", "lOom",nnd d In /I

Inl ffllukll'IJ (!lOP"',h (Inlll(l Jon",,,y ?Il, IO�?, """ lho III 101 In6uUlIlOIlI llyinO III'Ollllt l)/) pulnlllfl ll"tI'" I"DlOnd al lod duo 10 Iho POll Iblo oonlllllinn will i 1M Jnpnnooo nnll()(.nl 10 ,klnon 1 11111 woo tlpPlovml lho lollowlnu tillY III 1)11101111 01 A(IIOllollllon ,11111'01011 wl1loh 1101(1 now 1I1111111cllono WOIO " olno wriiton nil 01 Nflvnl nvlllllon wlliall w,,"lrl 'I!lOQlly

101

11(11\1 tiltH'"

tll,IIH'. Iu,,'ttud nl wd TIm I'/H .met toe.lhQll uJtnnlflfK1 lho 1""'"'1 11'1

t"Hllnw

d

111 (I [JUI 1111 01 AfIfOfUlull•• Itllll,' Aut I i'!j71 MV!" fUIIIY U. IU4?, 100(.11111 d II"MI Ifl""IK.;11()I10 III ',Ie �h C Ifl{J ftxlrulOf pftlnuOQ InuIunlu IIml " tfkl'�'

I

I

In

11f!

11m 1I1f(';'''" "flnl fluml)f" Wit f'X1C-' Ul'l lhfl ",1 Ihn 1,.,,111 tl()(i/bot I hlln till Itlt! moc-ful tlnAIUII IlIOfI IhO tlJdClor, fI'lhot IIUln lutn h ull1(1 1 hll flU II II Inn, II htl/ow

fl,>4lClhud 0

r

Tho ( mup COfnfnllneln"rI /ll C(1I1I WWI ''tOW 10 I�I kit Illilif cI t)V Hilt IIUII1hflf "' Clllrlnr QlOllfl chUtttt IlIIn II lIlthi I eln) hlUtl (;)11 !)UGh tH"n cll ttllt lu " IIIIUtI Iflls Al l OlOtJP nl l nhur Wllll lhu alllnll un Ihlt 11111' hull I ' 01

lilt)

( 10 I

n�(IIII"IU,

f

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rll\fl)llI

Itllt I mtlnfJIoll (lmup COfIUIIIII1(:'IJI Il IlIfI" .,U wtMIl"

I}(I Ullilkod ?

1011

Left: These F4Fs al Hendel'5On FlekI. Guadalc.anal. Sl'Iow the inconsistency in markings caused by Changes in the dlrecuves and inability to make the change for an extend«l period due to operatjonal commitments. Note that 181 uses large White numerals wnlle 136 has small Black numerals. Bottom Left; A free balJoon being prepared for launching at NAS Moffet F'1ek1. Cabfomia In November 1943• .shows the branch of .service and Bureau Number. The compfete InscnptJOn reads U.S. NAVY 03545. Bottom Right: These Grumman F4F4s at Henderson FleId. are a typical example of the weather«l appearance aircraft .soon obtained under tropbl

conditions. AIrcraft lOenufkatJon oow started to be applied In a colOr to give

the greatest contrast.

Altcraft not assigned to regularty organized squadrons. but whtCh were assigned 10 stations. were to have [he statIOn name parnted on lhe SIde of lhe fuselage In the k>catlOn normally used for the squadron designation Aircraft attachod to ships. but not assigned to regularly organized squadrons. WOre to have no special markmgs apphed Idenhf,cahon of these aircraft was by the senal number on the ',n only Alrcrafl attached to squadrons based on vessels other than atrcraft camers were marked wllh Ihe squadron number only The ship name was no longer to be used. Ono of tho few remaining dlrechves on painling arrcrafl in Ihe TrainIng Command during this penod was NAS Pensa­ cola Local Process Specilication No. 8·42. daled March 12. 1942. Those lnstrucllons applied 10 all aircraft operated al NAS Pensacota and outlYlOg fields altached to Pensacola. VN 1 08 (Basic Training) was to have Ihe overall aircraft painted Orange Yellow Fuselage bands assigned 10 the IndIVIdual squadrons were; VN l DB-A

NO fuselage band

VN1DB-B

Black

VN1 DB·C

While

Squadron numbers were Black numerals 12 IncheS (30.48 cm) h.gh beginning with number 1 In each squadron Char­ acters were to be modified vertical block slyfe. uniform In shape and size VN2D8 alfcrah were to be painted and marked as Fleet type aircraft In the two·tone scheme with squadron numbers to start with number one. VN3D8 aircraft were 10 be painted and marked as Fleel type aircraft in the two-tone scheme. In addition. 36 inch (91.44 em) Wide Red bands were 10 be applied around Ihe af! fuselage and wings. retaining this marking wilhln the Training Command. Nose cowling was also palmed Red. A small while numeral three inches (7.62 cm) high was painted on Ihe upper half of the cowl. VNo1D8 flying boals. such as the PBY- l and newer. were palmed in the two-tone scheme with full markings. the same as aircraft assigned 10 the Fleer. Older models were 10 remain In the noncamouflage scheme with Yellow upper wing surfaces and an Aluminum fuselage.

Right: Note the Btack and wtute martungs on thIS TBM laking off from the USS BUNK£R HIll. (CV· 1 1) In June t943. It Is believed these mariUngs

belonged to the Training Command Which was operating off the camer at thiS time. BekM: This F4U· 1 Cc:nalr of VF·17 carries the full designation just prior to the change wnk:h would detete the unit number. The squadron Insignia Is Incorrect as it should be on the fl.JseJage under the w'lndShleJd.

Transport and VM UOit alfcraft were fully camouflaged and marked the same as Fleet alrcrafl The stallOn Insignia was to be applied to tho fuselage or hull In such locations as dlClated by the deSIgn and other markings. bul was nol to exceed an area bounded by a 6 Inch ( 1 5 24 cm) square. The name PENSACOLA. lor example. was 10 be palmed on Ihe luselage In lhe Iocallon normally occupied by the squadron designation Immediately 'Of'Ward of lhe nalional aircraft Insignia On Apnt 29. 1942. Commander Carriers. Pacific Fleet. modified the aircraft side markings In order to preserve the in security of Ihe Identity of carriers engaged in operations enemy walers. Ihe requirement for side markings 10 squadron. of Iype number, identify aircraft as 10 squadron and individual aircraft number. was modilled by Ihe

Of nonspecular Inlermechate Blue. depending on lho cot

01 the background upoo whoch they were applied Tho color was 10 be one of Jeasl practICal contrast to 115 background e 9 • Imermedlate Blue on WMe or Dar1\ Blue and Black on Intermechale Blue. In the case of noncamouflaged alreratt all �tters and numerals were 10 be either glOsSy Black or White. depending on tho CQk)r of the background upon which lhey were applied The COlor was to be 000 of greatest contrast In order to glVB the higheSt Vt�.b. Iy The Light Groen fore and aft SlflpBS on the WIngS 01 .nstrlJ ment training aircraft were to be located an equal dlstanco from each wing lip and to clear Ihe national alrcrall Insignia The stripes on monoplanes wore 10 comptotoly encircle the WillOS

removal 01 the squadron number.

leller­ SR-2c. daled January 5. 1943. changed Ihe color ol to ing used on aircraft. AU lellers and numerals applied Black r nonspecula either be 10 were camoullaged alrcral!

VN5D8 OS2Us were painted In the Iwo-tone scheme with full markings. the same as Fleel aircraft. Primary seaplanes were 10 the Orange Yellow noncamouflage scheme

107

Right: This SNJ-4 Sho'Ns the application of the NaV31

l.e1't; Grumman F6F·3 HellCats at MUnda. New Georgaa. September 1943. painted In accordance WIth Technical Order 52-43 with large White numbers on the COWl and vertical stablhzer. Bottom Lett: These Wildcats are klentiOed as being in the first flQhter squadron of the NAOTC based at HAS

Jacksonville. Florida.

Numerous changes wore made In lhe mruklngs applied to Iho oxtetl()( of US Naval alrcrall as shown In lhe fotlowlng chart __

ACII..,"'WAoiItIQ 04 ,w,,01ORYOOI _ ...."�'''''' ''''''<1' _ "" ...... .

........ 'W'O C4I"'I.tI., � ...

CIOM<\lotw.._GII "'«l/WC)'IO """"' ''' WU "" _ � AlflCfWT M:R.AL

'AJM8(A 1"""04 JORVl lt..mo.o •,�".,e."....

GII �_,

- -'"""'-_'----

_ .....

��MI�

BoItI .... or ...... IiIT..o 17 1304(01) � GII ... ."_ClF\��_ • •• IO � � "' � ,""CI'OIMO'I_ ....

1Ift _

--

17 111"' 000) "0"

IMNIOAJ()AY)on ""'-"V'I-..

�""CI_ 1t.otoIIq -"' __ IIOP..a �..a .. 0II "" �WOIlft�

O'I "cr... WO'IiII ...... �

==::*

.......,. '" """"' '''''''

PW!Nd'_• -""O .. .... .... � ot "' � '&10'"

-f"G fIII w.. OOOIG IU,."O' """0 "

-..... 1�lOcoo..

fIII "IIfOIr flll woolll ... -

fIoa'I todtt ol """«II '" on ....... .... .. "'OdII

�

I'

11 !>oI cml

1I9I ()I 1PDf 1tfWIO - _ �'IO� " "'\'5eml "'"

FogII ","""",

3 1I7f'�CfOII

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..... - "" -...

3 1.17(1_""1

u"""' ''''"'

....... '' """"'"

C"",,"IMdJ

uao. ,.., fill '9I'W CCIooII

<

� lOOtI: fIII � .. otlht�...crall

CCfAW()(R OUU'�( 1_1Md)

1Nf1oltlQl .·UPI .. 11CMd IndltuMlOfIW/Of ....

r-.dot"ocr.. lIIMItQII

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'rlSlQtIIA,C"",,"

-, """',

1X5
CMN04TOfn'l

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"""""" 0 ''''''''0

{lOll"",

(lOl8cml

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"

"

t1�em) rqI 0'1 woe

..... - "" ...... .,0.

3 10'''_''''1

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"'"

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CIO " "",

..,.,

110 " "",

..,.,

.....

.......

,

11a1cml

"11!\o1�)

,

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NQh lmll.utno"ml

INfV>gt:, bOII'I w.. OII

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NQh lmll·m.m1

12' 130 40 cm)

8ocn loOOn Of nliCllC* Gr Oll

"

� Onwoe

3 'r1' till IlD0"I)

ForwwdotlQP.laOfon H."

OoIIllCWG loIdeofHCt'l

....... ...-

resulting in confusion 0Vff the meaning of many mar1dngs carried during WW II. These SBOs In the Marshalls in February 19M. are a good example. Why b !he one coded C29 while !he """'" wry three digit numbers In the 730 to 73S bkx.k?

"'"

....... ..

-

...,....... �tI1�,......t'>QIl

"

Air Operatlonal Training Command INAOTC) system of designation (or a tt1lntng plane at Oetand. Florida. Once again the aJrcraft. number is � sequential number (or all alrplanes at Deland. Middle: These F4Us in the MarshaU tslands all carry lOCal numbers In the 250-Z60 block WIth no ldentdlcauon of the unit. Bonom Left: A sao on antISUbmarine patrol WIth a 350 pound depth bomb. Unit alrptane number is now the only identdlcaUOn and 15 painted to give the greatest contrast. Bottom Right: DIn!cUve:s assigning local mar1dngs have been deStro)"ecI

(2 &.t cm)

) l hlQh lllll.urun

1IoQh(1IIII._,

..... - IfI*ltoo.

3 1.17(1 111 0"11

bI ..,.. ot ", ..... � OI _rao"IIt aorcrall

1P'IIq>oI � (lfI ",", '*'* -'We . _ 10 0. IIf\ Of ... ...."...

" po.aC'OlI ..,.,

Ir

(.� n""l

"'O'IC,...,..".""

c... d _

,- ....

� """''''I """"" Of..atf!

SO!.!!QpDFYl'WB""IX"'j!GUAfQ! EB AM IfPH' 'Q AU indIVidual squadron idenllficatk>n was lost at Ihls tIme

SInce lhe previously used three-pan designation on Ina side the fuselage was deleted. W1fO loUrIlIUtlGS jlroWOUOR't'OI'I 0C«!f .. ...... .

---

c.-Cl�-.g ... ()1

- -"""'Q ""�

""""""' 11) 0. 01'1 _

,.. ...., - �*'O't •• -..c. """' .... �

__ 10 1I1 ....... Of ..

» -. "'-"d ..

....

--­

flO"'CIfI)

"'0'"

17 flO""")

..... _ _ crt ....

. � =::.

..-d ..

'"0"'

17

� , ... .. � ...

..-

109

Left: The I7-B-5 IJ an unusual application of unl\ designation both a, to being placed on '''' undersurface of the wing and that It can only De reid from the fronL The unit aircraft number on the whee! door is of IIttJe more use to the grOUnd uew than the number on the sJde of the COWl. Middle: A Howard GH·2 assigned to VR·2 when It was a component of the Naval Air tr.1nsport StMce. The Ught Green bands around the wings and fUSdage identify this " an ins11lJrne1lt trainer. The Ughl Green cowl mar1
Right: Vought F4Us of the 5th "ohter squadron at HAS Jacksonville. Florida. September 1 944. ObvIously the tall numbers are a sequential number system (or the base or command and do not Indicate the number WIthin the

squadron.

As befOfe. the word U.S NAVY was sIIII 10 be applied ,n telters 54 inches (137 16 cm) high on lhe envelope of non­

ngid airships. The class leiter and number designation of each airship was to be In characters 20 IncheS (SO.80 em) In height. Additionally, those airships used for training pur­ poses could also have the airship deslgnauon painted In characters 54 Inches (137.16 cm) high on the Side of the envelope along lhe hO
Lako City

Oeland

sanford Banana ANOf

R (When NAOlU

KoyWOIt SecondGroup Ono letter Indicating tho type of Operational TrOtn,ng UM (a"craft IYpe) NayolAir5101100

Iell es r

Flghler

F

SCouI Bomber

S

T()(podO Bomber

Palrol Bomber Landplano Bomber

B

MISCOlianoous Trainor (NavigatIOn. Instrumenl. otc )

N

The number 01 Mcrall In the uOit For example NAS Jacksonville had two Fighter Operational Training UnitS Alrcrafl No. 22 of VF 0 T U M2 would heve been painled J2-F-22

One or two characters to designate the Naval Air StatIOn (NAOTe) and lhe number of lhe OperallOllai Trai",ng Un" to which arl aIrcraft was aSSigned No numeral was neces· sary If lhere was only one OperatlOO8l TraiOlng Unit of that aircraft type attached A Single leiter deSignated lhe Ajr Sialion 1 0 which an aircraft was assigned, With the exceptIOn of Deland and Melbourne, whtCh had two lellers to dlfferentiale them from Daytona Beach and Miami The assigned leiters were teller"

NayalAirSiallm JackSonvtIlo M,.".. 51 SImons Island (Brunsvnck,

B

Daylona Beach

D

Melbourne

ME

Vero Beach

V

Forl Lauderdalo

1 10

M

NAS FOft Lauderdale had one Torpedo Bomber Tra,n'ng U",I Arrcraft No 22 would have been pa,nled F-T·22 NAS Melbourne had several lnstnment trotnlng SNJs Alr· crafl No I would heve been pa,nled ME-N-l Small numerals were authoflzod 10 be painted on each Side 01 the cowl for easlcr IdenlJhcCJtlOl"l whon tho aircraft was on tho ground Uuhty aircraft al these bases wcre 10 be mar1<ed ,n acCOfdance w,th SR-2b This dlfcctwo dId not appty 10 other tralrnng commands. such as Pro·Operatlonal Training. Camer Ouahftcallon Tralnang Umts. Of 10 tho VO·VCS OperalJonal Trall\lng Unit An en1ly 'n lhe War Oillry of ComNo<1h Pac,flC. daled Apt.t !he Task Force Convnande< on­ 30. 1943. olaled lhal • fe<med alf command. lhal VO and VS aircraft operalong on lhe Nonh PacoflC weOI of Kodlllk w>1I carry an 8 InCh (20 32 em) ou,pe on boIh aodos of verlocal otabolrlC< and on boItom

111

Rlgh., A Vough. OS2U KIngfisher malung a

Chartie recovety aiOngSkSe the USS NEW YORK

(88·34) in June 1 944. The clrded numberf5 unusual. Note that the vessel name Is no k)nger used on battleship and cruiser based aircraft.. Bonom Right: Nose art on naval aircraft was unusual during WW II. The des;gn is a play on words as used on this Transport Air Group (TAG) airplane at NAS Honolulu in June 1944.

of lhe hOJizoolal stabthler etfecuve May 2. In order 10 faclh· tale Identlf,Callon of Ihese planes by friendly fighter aircraft " While not so stated, II appears that this was done In prcparauon 'or the Altu CampaIgn which was launched on May 1 1 Bureau of AerooauliCS Technical Order No. 52·43. dated July 21 1943. stated among other things, thai aU symbols which gave tho official name or numencal designauon of a unit were to be eliminated from squadron and other unll crOSIS, Insignia and markings on aIrcraft Both Air Force Pacilic Leltor No. 12L·43, dated September 9. 1943. and A" Force Allanlic Fleel Leller No. 54L-43. daled October 12. 19113. basically contained the provisions 01 Bureau 01 Aeronautics Technical Order No. 52-43 and slaled that no fed COlor was to be used In unit insIgnia apP:lod to alfcrafl allached to the Pacific or Atlantic Fleets. Stili. Il)r histOrical and pubhc retations purposes. the Navy Dopanmen t continued 10 approve and register large numbers of Insignias In which rod was used. However, this was done Wllh the understanding that for the duration of the war such Insignia were not to be applied 10 aircraft unless a substitute color was used In areas where the above two directives applied AddltJOnally. Air Face Pacific Leltor No 12L·43 prohlbued the painting of names on aucrafl attached to the Pacific Fleet Naval Air Operallonal Command letter NM29· 1 1 /0TA· 8111JF39 Serial 1 7 128 daled Oclober 27. 1943. modified lhe IdentlflC8hon markings eSlablished on January 12. 1 943. With these changes

AirSialloo

�

NAS Kay West. FL

Dele,e

K

NAS Beaufort. SC

Add

K

MCAS Edenlon. SC

Add

E

NAAS Grocn Cove SPrings. FL

Add

G

NAAS CooII FIOld. FL

Add

C

Only \he ()petaloonal

IettersAsSi gned

Tral"'ng Command altcrafl based al MaJine Corps Au StalO'l Edenton were to be so marked Not \he Manne Co
112

An insignia was deSigned for the Naval Air Transport Serv. Ice (NATS) a year after II was put mto operation. The InstruCitons concerning this Insignia were contained In Technical Order No. t O I -43. dated November 3, 1 943 This Insignia consisted 01 stylized wings beaflng the InSCrlplion NAVAL AIR TRANSPORT SERVICE superimposed on a foul anchor on a circular background WIth a rope outhne. The Insignia was applied to the fOfWard part of the fuselage. Wllh lhe cenler 25 IncheS (63.50 cm) aft of. and on the centor line 01 the squadron markings The Circle of the Insignia was 24 inches (60.96 cm) rn diameter. II was applied usIng decalcomania transfers. Contract operated aircraft. in addition 10 Ihis Insignia. had Ihe words CONTRACT OPERATION applied adjacenl 10 Ihe insignia in letters 5 inches ( 1 2.70 cm) high. The word OPERATION was cenlered 2 inches (5.08 cm) below 'he word CONTRACT. These aircraft also had the aircraft serial numbor applied in characters 12 inches (30.48 cm) high. centered across the bow.

or greater ThiS system of Idenuflcauon ehmID810d all reference to any SpecifIC unit and made It possIble 10 draw aircraft from a pool as replacements were needOd WIthOut the necessity of haVing to repaint them wllh specllic squadron markings ThiS � replacement program Wi}!i used WIdely throughout Ihe PaCifiC for both eattlcr • no shore·based squadrons Branch of serVice, altcrall serial number and modcl designations were Increased 10 4 Inches ( 10 16 em) on each side 01 tho vertlCal la,1 surfaces In tho case of Mcrall having mutHplo tails. these markings wero only to b(.o applied on lhe outboard Side of each tarl Aircraft not painted In the basic camouflage scheme YlOra 10 be markod In a different manner Shore·basod alrcrul!. not assigned to operating squadrons. wore 10 havo Ihe name of tho activity to whiCh Ihey were assigned pOlnlod in louers 1 2 Incho. (30.48 cm) high on bolh side. of Iho

SR-2d. daled December 22. 1943. made several major changes In Ihe markings applied to noncamouflaged aircraft as well as those finished In the baSIC camouflage scheme On camouflaged aircraft the size of the aIrcraft number wllhin the squadron. when used on Ihe engine cowl and landing gear dOOfs, was Increased 10 6 inches ( 1 5.24 em) Both of these locations were optional. Nonspecular Black or Insignia While was to be used on the cowl to provide the greatest VISibility. while nonspecular Black was used on the landIng gear doofs for the same reason. The same number was to be painted in Insignia White o n both sides 01 the fin and rudder above the hOt/zontal stabilizer. Single numerals were to be Socated close to the hinge; doutoo numerals wore 10 be located one on each side of the hinge. However. on multlBflglne aircraft lhe aIrcraft number was to be Socsted Il'M'IOdlatety all of the nauonal alfcrafl Insignia on the fuselage On aircraft WIth multiple vertiCal tad surfaces these numerals were to be applied only 10 lhe oulboard side of each tail.The size of these numerals vatled With the size of the aircraft. On a"craft With a Wingspan of 50 fOCI ( 1 524 00 cm) or less. Ihe numerals were 16 Inches (4064 cm) high. and 24 Inches (60 96 cm) high for altcrafl With a WingSpan grealer Ihan 50 feel ( 1 524 00 c m ) AI Ihe op\lon of Ihe Commanding OffICer. they could be 36 Inches (9 1 44 em) high on a"crafl Wllh a WingSpan of 200 fOCI (6096 00 em)

1 13

Left, TBF .board !he USS CORE (CVE· 13) July 1943. For some reason this neet squadron has the -r for torpedo squadron In Black and the aircraft numeral in White. Bottom: TBMs from the training carrier USS MAllTANI!\AU (evE· 101) In October 1944 These letters are not to be confused With the later letter designation system

fuselage forward of the nauonal aIrcraft insignia. except on patr� alfcraft where It was to be alt of the natIOnal aIrcraft InSignia ThIs was the k>catlon flOfmaUy OCCUPied by the squadron markings The aIrcraft seflal number was to be displayed on both sides of the vertical fin. The model dcslgnauon was 10 be on botn sides of the rudder on a fine Wllh the seflal number These characters were to be a m.nlmum of 4 IncheS ( 1 0 16 cm) In heIght The branch of service NAVY or MARINES - was located directly above the seual number In lellers 1 Inch (2.54 cm) hIgh This could be increased to 4 Inches (10 16 cm) on large flying boaiS. otc. These markings were to be located down 113 of tho distance between the lip of the vertical lin and the hOtllontal stabilizer. On maximum visibility paInted Iralnlng alrcrafl the branch of service was to consist of the word NAVY and be located on both sides of the fuselage midway between the top and bottom and all of the nallonal alfcraft InSignia Engine cov/l markings were to be only 4 Inchas ( 10. 16 cm) high

If an aircraft not painted In the baSIC camouflage scheme was assigned to a squadron. the numerals designaung ItS number In the squadron were painted In figures at least 1 8 Inches (45.72 c m ) high o n both sides of t h e fuselage forward of the natlOOal aircraft Insignia. With the exception of palrol aircraft where It was aft of the nalional aircraft InSignia All these markings on noncamouflaged aircraft were 10 be In glossy Black or White depending on the color of the background upon which they were applied. The color used was to be the one of greatest contrast to give the highest visibility Amendmem I 10 SR-2d. daled March 13. 1944. changed the basic camouflage scheme to glossy Sea Blue for fighter aircraft . In accordance with this, colors for lellers and numerals were changed to glossy Black or glossy Whito depending on the background to which they were applied. The color used was to be the greatest contrast in

()(der to give the highest viSIbility on all but antisubmarine warfare camouflaged aircraft The color used on ASW aircraft was 10 be one of least contrast to ItS background SR·2e. dated June 26. 1944. left the size and color of squadron markings on ancraft painted in the ASW camou· flage scheme to the discrelion of the tactteal commander Uniformity of permanent markings was highly desirable for security reasons. However. when In the opinion of the taCtl· cal commander. security would not be violated. or when the need for addItional Identification aids exceeded the " security risk. any or all painted surfaces of the aircraft. including those occupied by specific markIngs with the exception of the national aircraft insignia. could be covered with temporary markings of any contrasting color with the exception 01 red or reddish orange. Temporary paint colors of White. Yellow and Medium Green were recommended for Ihese markings.

Outing the last two yeats 01 the war. many of tho aircraft assigned to the camors in the PaCifiC carried symbofs denoting the ship or Air Group to which thoy wero assigned The orders. I' any. which speCIfied these markings were local Fleet dlrechves. none of whiCh arc known to eXist However. a reasonable record can be rocrealoe by worIong hem phclIographs II appears ihal lho sym�s represented the vessel as far as tho eVa woro concerned. In the case of thoSe carned on aircraft actually operating from the eVEs though. It appears that tho symbols belonged 10 the unlls embarked and were only seen on a specIfiC ship while that unll was aboard

Abov", Tllb F6F·SN ofVMP(N),Sl l .board the USS BLOCK ISlAND (CVE· I06) In February t9l15. I5 IdenUfied as belonging to it nlghtOghter squadron withOut lOentl1Ying the unit. Below: A TBM from USS MAKASSAR STRAIT (CVE·9 1 ) wlU'l It5 distlnctJve ta.' marking.

Lett: FM·2 on catapult abOarel USS WINDHAM BAY (CVE·92) June 1944. coooucting carrier

qual/neatton. The signlfkance of the san Diego area assigned C6 SQuadron code Is unknown.

The following chart 01 the CVs known 10 have been operating ,n tho PacifiC dUflng the period 01 approximately August 1943, when Ihese symbols began to appear, Ihroogh January 27. 1 945. IIsls Ihe known symbols used. cyT oll CodeSymbols De:KUallDo

Sbla

CV·J

Saratoga

CV·4

Rangcr

CV-6

EntcrpflSO

CV.g

Esscx

HOflzOnlal SlUPO on lop 01 lin a nd rudde,

CV· IO

Yorktown

Aft sloPed hne on lin

CV- I I CV. 12

HOlnOI

CV·IJ

Frankhn

CV.14

Ticonderoga

CV.15 CV. 16

Randolph

LeXington

HoIkJw while trlanglo on lin and rudder Poent 01 t(langle down

CV·17

Bunker HIt!

Honzontal line above and befow alfcralt number on fin

CV·18

Wasp

Small solid tnangle at top 01 fin Pomt 01 triangle up

CV· 19

Hancock

Horsoshoe across hinge lino 81 l op 01

CV·20

Bonnlngton

Whlto tnanglc. wllh alrcrah number on hn POint of triangle up

Intrepid

Wtl1tO CirCIO on lin Broad ·V· on fin below aircraft numbor

lin and rudder.

CVL·22 Independence Circle ouilino With aircraft numbof' In side CVL·23 Princeton CVL·24 BoJloau Woods CVL·25 Cowpens

Top 01 fin 00d rudCSct paInted whJle wnh 'trlpo across base 01 110 and rudder

CVL-26 MontOfOY

6 IOCheS (15 24 em) 101'0 and ah Sltlpe

CVL·27 Langloy

Top 01 lin and rudder painlod whllo

CVL-28 Cabol

Vertical Stripe on hinge Une continued dOwn on fuselage

noar oach wmg tiP

CVL·28 BatBOn CVL.JO San JaclOlO

1 16

X on rudder

SImilar markings were carried by some CVE·based SQuad· rons. but Ihey havo nOI been catalogued al thIs lime On January 27. 1945. Commandor Air Force. Pacific Fleel. wrote to tho Chief of Naval Operations explainIng tho new system 01 geometric designs 10 be Issued to Ihe CVs and CVLs. Due to the unavoidable complications arisIng from the operation of a large number of carriers In close proximity to one another. various Air Groups had rosorted to tho uso of symbols painted on the lall surface of lhelr aircraft to facilitate rendezvous after takeoff. during confusion over target areas, and before landing. These pallerns. adopled by the various CVGs acting on their own Inltlallve, were small geomelric forms and symbols palnled In whlto, usually In conJunctlonon with an identifying number within the design or somewhere near it. Realizing that this procedure could be improved upon and should be standardized. ComAlrPac prepared a series of lail and wing lip markings for all CVs and CVLs. Wing lip markings were Included to aid Identification 'rom a grealer number of anglos than was possible with the current system, which only marked the tall surfaces. Unlled Slales Navy Air Force. Pacific Fleel. Confldenlial Technocal Leller No. 2CTL·45. daled January 27. 1 945. issued a standard set of twenty·elght geometrical designs. Twenty-seven 01 them were assigned to the CV and CVL class Blrcrall carriers which constituted Task Forco 58. These designs were assigned to the vessol and were applied 10 afl alrcrall of Ihe allached Air Groop as long as II was aboard. They were applied 10 bolh sfdes of Ihe fin and rudder. While the draWings only showed the design on the lOP surface of Ihe fight wing, subseQuent directives indl· cate that iI was also to be applied on the under surface 01 the left wing tip. Excepi for the designs assigned to the Lake Champlain and Bataan. all tho designs wore While againS! a Sea Blue backgroond Tho draWIngs for lhe Lake Champfaln and Balaan show a second color on Ihe wing lip. but not on the tall marking "Tho directlvo did not Specify what the second color was, but in view of previous dlrec­ lives on temporary markings It seems safe to assumo they were to be either Yellow or Groen. The Commander Task Force 58 5 . composed of Ihe Saratoga and Entorpf1se operating night fighter groups, was authorized to prescribe dlfferenl markings for the car­ ners of that group If they desired The markings carried by

Rlghtl Vought F4US abOard the USS BUNKER HIU (CV· ' 7) wll. Its White -Go symbol on lhe ,.11 .nd

White COW1 marking.

the Saratoga airplanes woro roversed from tho colors shown In Ihe draWings, The Entorprlse used a complololy differenl design conSisting of a hOrilonlal spearhoad In OUI­ line form. Including Ihe elrcrall number Inside Iho design. This had less whilo and was moro suilablo for usa on night flghler alrcrafl. The design was applied only 10 Iho ,al1. On February I I . 1945. Commander Afr Force. Pacific Fleel. 101ler A3/FFI2-5 Soria' 3 1 33. Inlroduced a fllIle known Identification syslem fOf aircraft In Ihe Howailan Sea Frontier All camer and Irainlng typo airplanes wore to be

Idontlfled With a lollor lollowed by tho Indlvldunl OIrClO11 number running Irom 1 to 99 Thoso markings woro to bo applIed by Iho approprlBlO Ce",or Alrer.1I Sorvlco Unll (CASU). making 8ure Ihal Iho afrcrafl basod on n glvon field wero numbered Without dupHceuon. Those marklnns wero 10 bo complO1od by March I. 1945 Tho purposo 01 these markings was to focllltsto tho IdOnUhcolton 01 Hawaiian Sea Frontier airplanes olter numerous roports Of violations 01 air dlsclpllno by US Navol Oltcrnfl Those violations involved aircraft flYing too closo to trans pori alrcrah and ground Installations

u.�, Cunl" SR7.C· I , orvr74 .boo'd Ihe USS MIDWAY levU 4 1 ) during shDkoaown In Ihe Cllrlbbt'an, llouolUl A Orwnman rGr ",'On.. '0 'he USS i1ANDOI PH lev IS) Tho I liar. And numo,als w ro 10 bo 36 'nches (91 44 cm) hlgll Thoy woro 10 bo Willi. If on dark background. or Blnck II on nn lumlnum Of IIghl b ckground Thev woro 10 bo IocnJed on Iho undor61do 01 lhe loli Wing nd bolh Sidos 01 Iho lu OIAgO In 1110 ovonl 1110 lusolngo SilO did 001 P r mil Iho ploclng 01 1 II0r6 36 Inchos (91 A4 cm) In holghl. Iho ChOlAClors wore 10 bo n6 noAr 36 InchOD (91 4A om) 06 p06slblD. bUI In no ca.o could Ihey bo 6mollor Ihnn 18 Inchos (45 72 cm) In hOlghl For bollor vlslblilly. n dnsh wns 10 bo pi cOd bolWOon 101i0r and numbor All C "'or IYpa. whiCh Includod IhO r r. rM. r4U. SB2C. sao. 1 ar. and TBM Wo,. 10 bo IllArked 00 dlrOOlod Mulll· nglno olrplonos. such as Iho JRB. JAF. JAr nnd SNO. woro o)(ompi Ilowovor, lrAlnlng Iypos such HS Iho SNV OIld SNJ wo,o 10 bo 80 mOlkod Tho 1011Or M6lgnmonl. woro CASU·?

NAS am"",. Po,",

CASU 38

NAS Knnoono

CASU I

NAS rOt. "'n"d

A. II. C. O. E. r,

0 I I. I.

J.

RIght Cunl" SB?C· ICs of VB 2 from Ih. USS �IORNP.T (CV 12) June I (Mil. ShOwing lIIe WhlUt clrc$e canIod on the 11111 or all Its alrtrllft Middle A Grumman r r SN or VMrIN) 534. "lOWlno on� In aircraft number for Idtntlf'kllk;N\ purpoo.os VMr(N) . S34 was one ot lhe few Manne CorP' 'Jqt..wl1"ClM to Clispl.ly a tquadron IMlgl'lla on ItS alreraft, 100 Intn not (orrocttv Bonom Ltft Sevtral �Uldron, used Ih., rec:ognllNxl symbOl alJoraro tnt USS Pf.TROf' RAV (CVr 80) In ta'i 1044 Ina f1y 1945 11 11 nttltYtd thaI Ihl) TOM Ie btIOnQGd lo VC·1S. Bonom RighI In I(ktIUon 10 lIIe markings applied lop and bOttom of tne wlll(Jllp!. the shamrock and Clay PPM Itr 1\ mMt lila USS

;l:r;���5����.�) ���.;��

Lett: A Curtiss S82C·l C of VB·S aboard the USS (CV· to) M'r
YORKTOWN

1 944. This is one of the earliest examples of special tall markings. CASU·32 CASU·'

CASU·3 '

MBlmo

NAS KahuluI

K. L. M. N.

NAS Puunene

O. P. O.

NAS HIIo MCAS Ewa

R. S. T.

u.v.w

A leUer from the Commanding Officer CASU· ' , dated Feb· ruary 18, 1945. was senl 10 the Commanding Officers of the following squadrons Informing them 01 their lener and number assignments

Leiter I -

Lener J -

CASU·! Nos 1 1094 inclUSIVe NAS Pearl HarbOr (OperationS) 95 to 99 Inclusive

VS·53

1 10 19

VS-69

20 to 39

VS-46

40 10 59

VS·69

60 10 65 66 to 69

Open

70 1099

Open

Rt9ht' TBM·3 of VC·9Z aboard the USS TUlAGt (CVE· 12) tn t945. The �rge assortment of UM tail mar1dngs finally caused the -G­ symbOls and CVE markings to be asslgned In an attempt to bring some order to the confusJon of locally assigned recognition markings.

Air Force. PacIfic Fleet Confidenllal Technical Lener No. 4CTL-45. daled June 2. 1945. prescribed a series of rec­ ognilion symbols for eVEs_ These markings were to bo painted on both sides of Ihe vertical tail surfaces. as well as lhe upper right and lower left wing lips. AU eVEGs. MCVGs and VCs assigned 10 ships 01 the Escort Carrier Force. Pacific. were 10 carry Ihese designs. The standard color was While against Sea Blue. However. some of Ihe designs show a Ihird color. II Is known that lhe aircraft of Marine Carrier Air Group 4 (MCVG·4) aboard CVE· t09 Cape Gloucesier paInted the small stripes in the design as

well as the aircraft number In yellow II would seem 10 be a reasonable assumpllon lhat all the other derugns that shaN a third color wOre also painted yoUow Each Carner OIVlSkH'\ was assigned a basic doslgn ThO posillon 01 the Individual vessel wlth11'1 tho Olvlslon was indicated by a series of narrow stripes This soquenco 01 stripes was Ihe same for all Divi sions Duo 10 ship assignments. not all Divisions operalod with 0 lull complement so all Ihe possible combinations wOle 1'101 used

Left: The Pine Tree geometric symbo( assigned to the USS BENNINGTON (CV·20) applied to a Grumman F6F in February 1945. Bonom: An Eastern Aircraft FM·2 painted In the markings assigrled to a composite squadron aboard the USS FANSHAW BAY (CVE· 70). Carrier Division 'TWenty Six.

The geometrical symbols earned on Task Force 58 aircraft were difficult to describe over the radIO and were not readlty Identlilable To reheve this situatIOn Commander Task Force 38. In hi. July 1945 message 061 12t. dlle<:ted thai a sys· lem of 24 Inch (60 96 em) htgh While block capilal leuers be used 10 Idenllfy lhe airerafl of Ihe evs and eVBs. These lel­ lars wero 10 be earned on the lOP fight and lower reft wing tipS and bolh Sides 01 the ,udder In the same manner as the geometric symbols. This was the begInning of the two leller

122

Visual ldenlil,catton System stili in use.

eV-3 eV-4 eV-6 - eV-9 - eV- 10 # eV-1 1 # eV- 1 2

Saraloga Ranger Enterprise Essex Vorklown Intrepid Hornel

ee pp

M F

RR E S

Right: Tall markings carried by VC· I I from June

19401 10 February 1945 aboard the USS NEHEHTA BAY (CVE·74). Middle: A Grumman F6F·5 with the hO<Se5hOe symbol or the USS HANCOCK (CV·19) November 1944. The squadron inSignia can be seen

under the windshield. Bottom Lett: A CurttSS SB2C· Ie assigned to the USS SHANGRA lA (CV·38) missed the arresting cable and ran Into the barrier March 1 S. 1945. Bottom Right: Curtiss SB2C assigned to the USS YORKTOWN (CV· I 0) In August 1945. wIth the new letter tali code.

Left: While nose art was sekSom appUed to Navy and Mannf COrps alfCraft. VMF·222 on Samar. Pnlhppme tslands. in 1945. applied U1e f'mb&em o(the Navy's COnstruction Banalbos (the SEABEES) on their iure-raft as a t"OUte to the men who ocuit airfields all the way (rom Guadalcanal to Okmawa. Middle; Nicknames were not widely used on rtav.ll iunntl Thrs F6F·SN had otMou5Iy been down several bmes (or repairs. Note hOw �ble the aircraft number on the landing gear dOor IS to tnf ground crew. Bottom Lett: llus Ught Gray and AJumlnum doped SNJ-2 at NAS JacksonVille In Apnl 1945. is another example of the local mar1dngs o( an airplane. It does not rlt Into the

letter system for Operational Training Command at jacksonVIlle. Bonom Right: This COnsolidated PB4V-2 In the JacksOnville area August 1945. is a perfect example of Iocal ldenlificatlon markmgs that can not be explained. However. the consistency of theSe mar1dngs Indkates an extensive markIng system was established for aircraft within the continental Unttcd States by some senior commal'ld.

Right: Willow Green fuselage and wing Slnpes Indicating an Instrument trainer. Bottom Left: A Marine Corps F6F on the USS BLOCK ISLAND (CVE- I06) Is Idenbfled by the letter M under the large block letter I on the fin. Bottom Right: K· 101 of ZP- 14. performing mine clcanng operations in the Italian Theater. was the only airship In the IIghter-tt\an·alr fleet to carry any nose art.

CV- 1 3 CV·1 4 CV· 1 5 · CV- 1 6 CV· 1 7 • CV-18 · CV- 1 9 • CV·20 CV·21 • CVl-22 • CVl·24 • CVl-25 • CVl-26 CVl·27 # CVl·28 • CVl-29 • CVl·3Q · CV·31 # CV-36 • CV-38 # CV-39 CVB-I CVB·2 CVB-3 • •

Franklin

LL

Ticonderoga Randolph

V l

Lexlnglon Bunker HIl i

H

three eVBs were not operational while Ihls system was In

Y X U IT 12 D

cUCCI.

Wasp Hancock Bennington Boxer Independence Be11eau Wood Cowpens Monterey

P A

C

langley

K

Cabol Balaan San Jacinto

R

Bon Homme Richard Antietam

SS

Shang,,·la lake Champlain Midway Franklin D. Roosevelt Coral Sea

T B W

Z AA YY FF EE

Those vessels marked With a • used Ihe block leuers. The vessels marked With # continued to use the geomelric

124

shapes throughout the war The remaIning carners woro put out of actIOn before this system couki be implemented.

or lhey were not operallng In tho PaCific at this limo Tho

The Side numbers camed on US Navy/Marine Corps alrcrah dunng the later part of World War II has caused considerable confUSM)fl among model builders and hu.tory buffs in Irylng 10 delermlne tholr Significance and tho sequence used Au ForcD. PaCIfic Fleel. Conf,dontlal Technical Leuer No. 5C TL· 45 SIde Numbers For Naval Aircraft Attached 10 Alfcraft Camors. dated July 18. 1945. gives the best answer Bnd IS quoted In parI

" 1 . In response to numerous inqUiries rogardlng the numbering system to be followed In palnung side numbers on Ihe alrcrafl of a squadron or g roup. tho follOWing Instruchons are promulgaled: (a) Side numbers shall not conform 10 any cortoln block 01 numbers for the type of squadron or aircraft (b) Side numbers shall be assigned for convenIence of local Jdenllficalion as may be determined by tho air group commandor or composite SQuadron commandor. subf(JCt to Bny special InstructJOnS which may be ISsued by lechcol conmandets or the convnanchng oHK:Ors � aircraft CllllJcrs 10 whICh groups may bo assogned

Right: An Eastern Aircraft TBM-3U assigned to the USS BAlJOENG STRAIT (CVE·1 \6). NOle

Lett: Vought Fo4U- I O from MCAS Ewa. Terntory of HawaiI. at the end of W'N II. Bottom: A F8F Bearcat 3SS'gned to CASU-I at Ford I�nd July 1945. How glossy these Sea Blue alrp(anes were when fil'lt received can be seen by the reflection In the wing.

2 The tail markings shall be as specIfied In Air Force. PaCifiC Flocl. Confldenual TechOlcal Leners 2CTL-045 and 4 CTL·45 • The same basIc concept was used by all convnands Un­ fortunately these locally assigned marking dlrecuves were not conSJdored Important enough to be forwarded to either Chief of Naval Operations or the Bureau of Aeronautics and none are presently known to eXist Though Ihe geometflc symbols have been replaced by leners aboard most of the CVs. Ihey were retained aboard the CVEs. Air Force. PaCIfic Fleet. ConfJdenual Technical leifer No. 8CTL·45. daled Seplember 3. 1945. speCIfied markings for the two addJllonal CVE dIVISions 28 and 29. Commander Air Force. PaCifiC Fleet letler A3/FFI2-5. SOllal 1 9030. daled Seplember 10. 1945. assigned Ihe following coda lellers 10 the Naval Air Stallons in HawaII. rather than to the CASUs These letlers were still 10 be tollowed by a number Itom 1 to 99 InclUSive In the event

there is no unrt kSentJfation to this Ship ass.gned alrcratt. Bottom, High vis
that all avaUable numbers In the 1 to 99 setJes were used. and no additional letters were available. the use of numbers over 100 was authOrized. These markings were to be applied to all station aircraft by October 1. 1 945 NAS Barbers Point

CASU·2

A. B. C. D. E. F. Y.

NAS Kaneohe

CASU·38

G. H.

NAS Ford Island

CASU· I

I.

NAS Ford Island

Ullhty Wing

J.

NAS KahulUl

CASU·32

K. L. M. N. O. P. O.

U.

NAS Puunene

CASU·4

NAS Hllo

CASU·31

R. S. T.

MCAS Ewa

Marines

V. W. Z

on an aluminum or other light background. They were Iocaled on bolh sides of !he fuselage under !he cockpll and under the left wing AN-I-38 Army-Navy Aeronaulical Specification Insigma

and Markings For Search and Rescue Alfclaft. Design Requirements For. was issued on October 17. 1945. This

was the first directive for marking naval altcraft specifically for search and rescue operations. A 36 Inch (91 44 cm) glossy Orange Yellow stripe was 10 encircle the afl portKll1 of Ihe hull. approxlmalely 3 1eel (91.44 cm) forward o( lhe leading edge of the honzontal stabilizer. This stnpe was not

10 exlend onlO lhe lasl slep of lhe hull A 6 Inch ( 1 5 24 cm) WIde glossy Black border was appioed 10 each edge A glossy Orange Yellow rectangle was placed on each sldo of the forward pari of Ihe hull, centered botweon the leadIng edge of lhe Wlng and lhe bow The helghl 01 lhe rectangle was to be 33 percent of the vertical dImensIOn 01 the projection of the fuselage side at tho pOint of application However. the height was not to excoed 36 Inches (91 44 cm) nor be foss lhan 20 Inches (SO 80 em) The length of the rectangle was to be three limos tho helghl wlih a 2 Inch (5 08 cm) WIde glossy Black border This rectangle was to be located as near as posslbiO 10 tho

These loners were followed by a number 'rom 1 10 99 for each leller. The letters and numbers were to be 36 Inches (91 44 cm) hIgh and while on a dark background or black If

127

Left A 8tech JRB G a)$tQ1ltd to HeadquarltrS Marine Corps In 1 949 The �t three (hOILS of the 8ltrtau Numbfr are used for KSentlncation Nace the ba5e name on the fin and tile Red placard on the engine cowt wtlh one White star IntllCllmg I 8ng.1dief Gtntral � abCNrd Bottom; A glcmy sea Blue F7F·3 Identlfled Wit h k»cally JSSigne<J VtllOW m.lrklngs In 1947. � from an unidentified Manne Corps squadron Note the Manne Corps emblem on the nose These markingS .1re hard to eXplain M the two letter tall (� were In effect by this time and tne Marjne Corps embltm was not yet authOnzed on a1ftraft

eonior of Iho voweal prolOCllon of the fuselage 01 Iho poInl 01 applle8110n Tho appropriate alferaft Idonllhcallon number was 10 be applied In glossy Black block numerals wllhtn lho rOClOnglO WIng lIP 1500ls and SUulS woro painted glossy Orango Yol· low as was lho upper and lower surface 01 bolh wing Ups ThiS pOlnltng was 10 oxlond Inboard a dlstanco equal to 7 porconl 01 tho tOlal WIng span oxcludlng lhe Wing lip floals. ,I any A glossy Black bordo' 6 ,nches ( 15 24 cm) Wldo was 10 bo applied 01 Iha ,nboa,d odoe. The uppe, surlace ol lhe wing eenlcr socHon. Including Ihe reaf PfOJOCllon porlion of lho englno nacellos. was also 10 be painled glossy Orango Yollow 10 a pOlnl JUSI oUlboard 0 1 Ihe Inboard englno nacollo A glossy Black bo,do, 6 inChes ( 1 5 24 cm) w,do was 10 ba appllod 01 oach oulboa,d odge. Tho wo,d RES­ CUE was 10 bo superimposed In glossy Black Conlored all 01 Ihe wo,d RESCUE was 10 be Ihe base 0' unll doslgnallon and aircraft Identification numbor Those charactors wero 10 be moctlfiod vorlical block type. umfOrm In shape and SilO IndiVidual characters wore to bo 36

,nches (91 44 cm) high. 27 Inchos (68 58 cm) w,do. wllh Iho Width of IndiVIdual strokos lormlng lhom G Inches ( 1 5 24 cm) wldo Spacing betwcon each character was 10 bo 12 Inches ( 30 48 em) These markings were 10 be In aqdlhon 10 lhose normally requited on Ihls type of alrcrah Tho base name or unit deslgnallon and aircraft numbor woro also applied on Ihe bonom 01 tho hull, belween the bow and Iho main step extending hom chine 10 chIno. Tho top of the charactors was 10 be at the pon chino of Ihe hull and palnled O,ange YellOW wllh a 2 Inch (508 cm) glossy Black border The widlh 01 tho charactors was to be 3/4 01 tho height With tho Individual Slrokos forming the characlo,s 1/6 ol lhe helghl Allc,alt CI,cula, Lello, (ACL) No. 1 3 1 ·45, dalod Novombor 16, 1 945. oSlablished Ihree classilications 01 combal al,· cral! (a) FlTst Une AlTcrort. Combat modefs. olhor than training, wllh sul1ablo mililary charactedsllcs and performance to engage In unlimited combsl operalions

Right A gooo blmpM at Iht P«IC*m CM«I by � Itum In the IOtnllflauon syst«n thlt CMI De tn6IfUlI' preted w., t1US 10 mcJ H I or HI? Tht ,quldton INt. on lhe Itft ImwtrS lht quemon I�t it OtftnIltty WH 1ntff1dtd to read N I The Dlnch: If' WIllOw Cotten .nd WhIte Wrt.n VeGow )etttmg Bottom A GrurrvNti rGF.� to IhI � ClmttAJIU1nCloup3.cm L M o..uer

(b) Second Uno Allcrall Combal al,c,olt. Olhe, lhen tra,n· lng, whICh were sullabJo lor SOrviCO but whoso dohClcncy In military characterlSllCS and porformance conlamed a recognized handicap for unllmltod combat servlCo This only applied 10 InferiOrity In military charactorlstlcs or performance and In no way relloctod on saloty or SUitability lo, thghl (c) Tralnrng Alrcralr All combal modols ass'gned 10 dOSlg­ nated Ileal traIning units or tho Trolnlng Command No training aircraft wore to be classlUod as Firsl or Second Une. The aircraft in thoso throo catogorles were to be deslgnaled as lollows (a) FI,sl Uno AI,c,alt by Iho sianda,d navy doslgnalion. I.e .. F7F·2N. (b) Second Llno AI,c,all by . 101l0r A· p,ocodlng Ihe sland­ a,d Navy doslgnallon. 1.0., A-F4U·I

(c) Training Al,crolt (combal lyPClS) by a 101l0r N p,OCed ng lhe Slanda,d Navy dOSlgnallOn. I • • N·F6F-5 Tho doslgnatlOn as Fitsl or Socond line Ancrall was mao by lhe DePUIY Ch>el 01 Noval Ope,allOn. (Air) by mo;Ins 01 AVIDUon Circular Lonors whorl changes OCCUHed Qncu on OIrcraft was doslgnatod as a tralnino olrplane Iho dosl\lnallon could nol bo changed OXCOpl by lhe c.'puly CNO (AII) Tho prolix N· was 10 bo applied 10 011 combol oucrall models In the Training Command. IncludIng Iho Rn'jlt(vl! Training Command AI, Fo,co, Paclilc FloOI, 10110' F39 FFI 2-5/( 15·on), dlllod January 8. 1948. gav� Instruclion" for apPUclillon 01 Iho marking 01 tho faSI cartlor aircraft ThiS dlroClivo also asslgnod now olphobollcal doslgnallons 10' Iho CVG. CVS. and CVLG In placo Ol lho p,ovlslonal lolle,. speclflod ,n Iho CTF-38 messago 01 July 6, 1945 ThO asslgnmenl 01 Ihu same lottor 10 a dillaront comor than doslgnated In lho July

RIght: A HowMd NH· t a5$lgnecllO VR-3, it component of

Left: An unusual methOO of Identifying this

F6F·S as the CO's aIrcraft of VBF-20. The fuJI fuselage designation reads (OBF·ZO.

massage may well have caused the erroneous Identlflcallon 01 some photographs as to what ship the aircraft were actually assigned The extent to which this January directive was Implemented has not been determined These new lellers were· Idenl Class � I'ilillllI<1 SJanbgj �

Saraloga

CV·3

Class

Idenl

MM

Langley

I'ilillllI<1 SJanbgj pp CVL·27

Ranger

CV"

BB

Cabot

CVL·28

uu

Entcrpflse

CV·6

EE

ea..."

CVL·29

w

Esse.

CV·9

San JaClniO

CVL·30

yy

YOI'kiown

CV· l 0

CV·3 1

KK

y

Bon Home RiChard

Intrepid

CV- l 1

HH

Leyle

CV·32

HOI'nel

CV· 1 2

Fronklln

CV-13

FF

Kearsarge

CV·33

5

Oriskany

CV-34

TIConderoga

0

CV· 14

n

Antietam

CV·36

A

Ranoolp11

CV-15

A

Princeton

CV-37

P

LeXIngton

CV·16

LL

Shangrl La

CV·38

SunkOf' Hili

CV- 1 7

U

Lake Champ lain CV·39

Wasp

CV· 16

XX

Tarawa

CV·40

Hancock

CV- 1 9

N

M idway

CVL·41

BOflington

CV·20

55

FO

CV·21

0

F

Coral Sea

CVL·43

C

CV·45

11\dOpeOdence CVL-22 DO

Vaney Forge

Belleau WOOd CVL·24 RR

Philippine sea CV·47

H

Co",pens

CVL·2S CC

Snlpsn

CVL·46

ZZ

MontDrey

CVU6 AA

Wflghl

CVL-49

W

Whll0 block capllal leller. 36 Inches (91 44 cm) high woro Jocaled on bolh sldes ol lhe vOrllcal lali surfaces. Ihe lOP of tho ught Wing and undersldo of the lell wtng panel The Iollers on the wUlQS wore to be 6 Inches ( 1 5 24 em) In from tho wlIlQ liP Ajfcrall numbers were to be 16 IncheS (40 64 em) hogh. Jocaled on each sode of !he fuselage 9 rnches (22 86 em) forward of lhe naloonal a"crall II1slgn.. Wllh lhe lop of !he number. 6 Inches ( 1 5 24 em) below lhe cockp" 11m. end on !he lOP of !he nghl WIng 18 IncheS (45 72 em) Inbcoard of lhe Ieller codo Numerals 24 IncheS (60.96 em)

130

it

Marfne Corps squadron,

Aircraft numbers for fuselage and wings were to be assigned In blocks by type and squadron. USIng the sequence VF. VBF. VSB, VTB, squadrons were to be assigned a block of numbers as foUcwlS: 1st squadron, 101 - 199. 2nd squadron. 201 - 299. 3rd squadron, 301 - 399. 4th squadron. 401 • 499: elc .. USing consecutIve number· Ing within blocks. CAG alfcraft could be marked 100. 200. 300, or 400. etc.• accordIng to the type aircraft assigned Squadron Insignia could be applied 10 !he fuselage aboul 12 inches (30.48 cm) forward of lhe fuselage number and 12 inches (3048 cm) below the cockpn (1m extended, The dimensions given in these instruchons could be modi· fied to allow the letters and numerals to best conform to the surface on which they were applied. providing that such modlficatJon did not cause confusion and defeat the purpose for whIch this system had been devised, I.e. quick identilicalion and recognition of our own aircraft Air Force, Pacific Fleet, Confidenllal Technical Letter No l CTL-46. daled March 29. 1946. cancelled Ihe designations prevIOUSly prescnbed In 4CTL·45 and 8CTL· 45, These cancelled markmg directives were to be retained

pendIng reassignment to such units as might be aChvalod In the future This leiter also established a new senes of Idontlhcatll()O marktngs The system conSisted of parallel loro and nll stJlpes, or diagonal Stflpes. on the honzontal and vertICal IBII surfaces. The diagonal Sllipes were at 450 10 the Iongl. luchnal axis of the alrcrall They slanted down ftom tho lQ.1d· Ing edge to lhe trallrng edge on the Yerhcal stablhzCf and angled Inboard from !he leading edge 10 !he Ira,'ong edge on the honzontal stablhzor All stnpes were 8jQht Inches (20 32 cm) Wide and were painted In identically coftespondtng POSIIK>nS on both Sides of a surface so that tho stripe on one Side of a surface would COIncide exacUy With tho st1lPO on Iho olher side where lhe IWO meal al lhe loading and tralhng edges. As With all systoms, there were O)(COptIOf'rS A stflpe could not extond all the way to the !failIng odgo because the surlace on which It was painted was Intor· sected by another surface. theroby termInating tho SlrlPO For oxamp�. the lowesl of the three dIagonal strrpos on tho vorlical tali surfaces of the FGF Tho diStance from centcr hno to center hne was 20 IncheS (SO 80 em) In all cases regardless of fore and all or doagonaJ conf'gurahon

M

CVL·42

Aoosevel1

eo•.,

K

high were 10 be located on the underSide of the left Wing 18 Inches (45,72 cm) Inboard ol lha lener code. The Individual strokes of the 36 inch (91 44 cm) lellers were 10 be 4 Inches ( 1 0. 1 6 cm) Wide. with all other dimensions In accordance with SR·2e. Whenever double letters were useod. lhey were 10 be 30 Inches (76 20 cm) high. placed in the same POSIIIOnS as the single lellers described above Construction of these double letters was to be i n accordance with SR·2e. with t h e exception t h a I Ihe honzontal component could be reduced to accommodate the letlers to the shape of the ta,l on some aircraft. Any porlKln 01 the Bureau Number and aircraft type designauon on the vertical tail surfaces which were covered by the leller symbol was to be oullined in black on the leller. This overpalnUng was not 10 change the characteristic of the lener symbol.

Naval Air Transpon. S«vke. for use ilS itn InStt\JtnMI trimer. BelOw: The number 1 Grumman F7F·3N assigned to VMF(N).S3t In 191\8, The under1lned lall code shOWs Ihls Is

-- - -- - - ­ _ 'o • •� _ ,_ _

131

� - -... _ - -

_

� - -"". ... _ ---

Left: Left; A F4U-5 assigned to VMF·22A from MCAS Cherry Point. North carolina. Note the placement of the Marine Corps insignia on the slOe of the fuselage.

Dimensions are not given on the drawing lor JocaIJl"19 fore and aft stripes because 0' variations In size from one aucraft to another

line) bekJw the middle slnpe_ The lower end of thO third

Lines A and B on the vertical stabilizer were parallel to _.

the longitudinal axis of the aircraft line A was tangent to the tip of the vertical stabilizer, while line B was tangent to the falnng of the honzontal stabilizer at Its highest point The center line of a Single stnpe was k>cated parallel to and half way between lines A and B When two stripes were

used the second was located parallel to and 20 Inches

(SO.80

cm) (cenler line 10 cenler line) above the single

stripe. When a Ihird strrpe was required It was to be located

20

inches

(SO.eo

cm) (center line to center line)

below the middle strrpe.

the widest point of the vertical stablUzer, whlle line

B was

tangent to the outer tip of the horizontal stabilizer. A Single stripe was localed so that its centor line was in from the tip

1/3 of the distance between lines A

and B. The method of

locating mulliple stnpes was a IIU1a different Width of the stripes inches

( 1 2 1 .92

(28

Inches

( 7 1 t2

The overall

cm) for two stripes;

cm) for three strtpes) was subtracted

from the length of the stabilizer. the distance between lines A and B. This figure was diVided by three One·third was the distance from the outer odge of the outer strrpe to the tip. and rwo-thlrds was be the distance from the Inner edge of the inner SUlpe to the vertreal stabilizer. Irne A

The posiUorllng of diagonal Sl1lpes on the vertreal stabihzer was dependent on the use of a reference pornt that would be appltcable to a l l aircraft types

Once again no

dimensiOnS were given since they val'led WIth aircrafl type

The tocallng of diagonal StllpeS on the honzontal stabili/Of was also determined by a reference point whiCh. In thiS case. was k>calod In tho cenler of the surface Tho length of the horlzonlal stabilizer was the dlstanco belween parallel hnes A and B

line A was parallel to tho

longItudinal IDCIS 01 the alfera" and tangent to

tho vcrlrcni

stabihler at its widest point Line 8 was tangont 10 tho outermost lip of lhe stabilizer. Point X was establlshod by determining tho width of the honzontal stabilizer al a pornl Ihe dlslance belween lines A and B This was Ihe

center of the surface and was the reference point hom which tho stripes were aU laid OIJI. The center IIno 01 0 slnglo stripe was al

45'

to the longitudinal axis of tho

aircraft and passed through pOint X. When IwO stripes

20 (SO 80 cm) (cenler hne 10 cenler hno) oulboard from

wore used Ihe outer Slnpe was kx:ated parallel to and Inches

tho single stripe A third S1rlpe. when needed. was localOCJ

parallel 10 and 20 Inches

(SO 80 cm)

(cenler hno to ccnter

line) Inboard of the SIngle SITlpe While the system did prOVide for ono, two and three StripeS. the three stripe groupings were never aSSIgned to a eamer AViation Circular Letter

f34-46.

131-45 was superseded by ACL 12. 1946. Wllh an effecllVe dalo

daled Seplember

of Oclober I

1946

All combal carner modols ass'llnod 10

fleet traIning units Of the TraIning Command were (0 be ro­

talned In thIS combat conflgurahon durrng their fllst and

In order to locale the reference POint a line parallel to the

longitudinal aXIs of the aircraft was drawn on the vertrcal

second overhaul or modification When requested by the TrainIng Command. the Bureau of AeronautJCS would con·

stabiltzer This line was tangent to the highest point of the

Sider the procosslng of these aircraft to a noncombat

hOrizontal stabilrzer and IS shown on the drawulg as line B

The point on the draWIng where line B crossed the tradIng edge IS shown as potnt X ThIS was the reference pornt for

locating the stripes One stripe was posilloned 450 from

lhe Iongltud,nal ax.s 01 lhe alrcrafl so thai ,IS lower edge passed through potnl X Whon two StlipeS were used, the upper stnpe was poSiltoncd 20 Inches (5080 cm) (center hne 10 center line) above the Single stupe. When three slrrpes were used tho middle and upper stripes were

132

Sll'Ipe was not permllled 10 extend below line B

1/2

Lines A and B on the horizontal stabilizer were parallel to the longitudinal axis 01 the aircraft . Une A was tangenl to

48

posluoncd the same as for two stnpes The lowest Strl�

Ylas JX)SlIiOned 20 IncheS (SO 80 cm) (center hnc to center

confrguratlOn durrng the thrrd or laler ovefhaul When con· mdered essential to flight tl81nlflQ opcratlOl'ls. combat·typo airplanes could havo oxtornaL Of othorwrso readily remov·

able. combat eqUipment such as rocket launchers. DIrnDl

plato. guns. dOlcer and antucer equipment. and slm,lar

Itoms removed whon authoflzed by the Bureau 01

AeronautICS Such oqu1pn"lOnt had to bo rOlalned and be reinstalled In Ihe airplane when II was turned In lor the next overhaul Of l1ansferred

1 33

RIght, Curuss SBlC·5s Iden_ by the International Orange fusriage band as VA squadron at NAS Denver. COlorado. Bottom: Aircraft as,sjgned to Naval Air Reserve squadrons were kjenttfled by an InttmatlOC'lal Orange band around the fuselage to dtStlngUI5h them from a fleet squadron With the same number. as shown on this Curtiss SBZC-4 asslgnoo to a reserve attack squadron at NAS 5t. Louis. reserve aircraft from the

Left: The first �tters of the shlp'S name. underscored for a Marine unit. Identify this F4U-4 Cor5alr as assigned to VMF-1 1 4 '1lhile attached to the USS SALERNO BAY (CVE-I IO) in 1947. During this period. six Marine Corps squadrons were assigned to evEs as part of the ship complement.

ActlVllJes having combat·IYpe aircraft which were noncom­ bat configured were 10 deSignate Ihese airplanes with a leller T ",mediately precedIng the lener "N" Second hne aIrcraft were SlJlI to be designated by an A· preceding the alfcrafl des.gnallon. A ualnlng aircraft of combat type on ItS first or second service lour that was being transferred to an acuvJly outside the Training Command . or fleet traIning uni!. was to be returned to ItS rlOlmaJ claSSlflcallon as a First or Second line aircraft, as appropnate. at the l!rne of transfer Such an a/rerail being l1ansferred aher the second overhaul was to conllOue to retain the traIning N- designatIOn ACL t 72·46. dated December 23. t 946. superseded and cancetled ACL 134·46. The provIsions for the prefIx "A". -TN-. and "N-. to the aircrafl deSignations was continued. From the beginning 01 Naval aviation there had been a search for an easy system to rapidly identify aircraft. The Chle' 01 Naval Operations Issued Aircraft Circular Leiter No 156-46. dated November 7. 1946. establishing a V1sual ldenuflcation System for all Navy and Manne Corps alfcraft In order to be effective such a system had to be simple. readable and possess enough different combinauons to coyer the number of aircraft camers and all types of squadrons to which naval aviation might expand In case of war A system uSing letters and numerals saltslles these requirements as long as dlsllnctlve characters are used The eUmmation of the ambiguous tetters G. J. N. O. 0 and Y telt ample comb(nallons to coyer such expansion. SlllCe each leiter has a phoneuc equIValent In comnunlcahon procedures. the problem of descflblng geometric markings was replaced by the simple process of enunciating the names of the leuers of the alphabel Under this system each aircraft carrier had either a Single or double leller symbol, some of whICh wore a holdover from the Old systems Carrier squadrons were Identifled by a lenor-number sys­ tem. Leiters were assigned to carrier groups to clearly sig· nify the parent carner Three digit numbers were assigned by type and squadron The three digit block number system � alfcraft ldentlhcaoon was modlfKKt to reflect the change In squadron designalJOn to VF Squadron VF Squadron

VA Squadron VA Squadron

134

101

•

1 99

20 1 . 299 301 • 399 40 1 • 499

As before, the numbering of aircraft Within a squadron was to use consecutive numbers starling with the lowest num­ ber. CAG aorcralt could be marked 100. 200. 300. or 400 depending on the type of 8.Ircraft assigned.

VP. VPP. VPW. VPM. VU. VRU. VX and VCN squadrons also used a letter-number syslem. However. for these squadrons the first of the two leiters designated lhe wing or class designation while the second letter designated the squadron within the wing. One or two digit numerals deSIgnated the aircraft number wnhin the squadron starting with 1 and running consecultvely

Reserve alfcraft. In addlltOn 10 the markings reqUired for TralOing Command aircraft hsted above. were to carry a Wide Orange stripe around the fuselage forward of the empennage The Instructions referenced In SR-2e for Slle and k)cahon of the leiters were not very helpful in Implementing th1s system as It had been written for only squadron Identl· ficatlOn numbers on lhe tall

The leuer codes aSSigned under thiS directIVe ....ore . AssignmtntLiltgl l,U',Symbgl. ,grAlrcr'Uea"lm

� s s: 1� aaH!

M,dway

FO Roosevelt

� evs.. t

CV8·42

laont,1 al on S�btl! M

F

Corat Sea

CVB-4.)

Randolph

CV· t5

A

Boxer

CV·2 t

B

C

Fleet Aircraft Service Squadrons (FASRONS) used a nu· merical system consisting of al least the last three digits of the aIrcraft bureau number. The Training Command used a letter-number system. The first 01 two leiters designated the base or station. while the second letter IdentifIed the squadron and/or class desig� nation. One. two or three digit numbers were used to num­ ber the alfcraft Within the squadron with the numbers running consecutively. The Chief. Naval Aif Training. controlled the assignment of letter symbols Within the Training Command. Naval Air Transport System used a numeflcal system con­ Slsllng 01 the bureau number to identify ns aIrcraft. Manne Corps carner-based squadrons used the lellers assigned to the parent camer On shore-based squadrons the first letter designated the Wing or other command, while the second leller referred to the squadron Within the Wing or Command. The lellers were underscored to denote Marine. Under thiS system It was poSSible to have the same code leiters assigned to a Navy squadron and a Marine Corps squadron concurrently The onty distlnctlon beIng the hne under the code tener(s) to denote Manne One or two digit numerals were used to number the aircraft wllhlO the squadron starting wl1h number one. and continUing coo$I;)Cutrvely All aircraft not Idenllfled In the above categofles were marked With the last three digits of the aircraft's bureau number

135

Lrft: Manne reserves from the f.ghter squadron at HAS JacksOnVIlle. florida deP'Ofed to MCAS EJ lora. California (Of" t.neir annual traJning in 1947. Notice the VMF·452 airplanes ashore (rom the USS BAIROKO (CVE·I I S). Bottom Len, HeUcats aSSIgned to a VF squadron at NAS Dallas. Texas.

Ley1e Kea/681go

Salpan

CVL-4B

SA

VP·HL 7

(ex VP· 107)

DC

Wnghl

CVL·49

W

VP·HL 10

(exVP·I20)

00

VP·HL 12

(ex VP·I22)

DE

A

Salerno Bay

CVE·I IO

SB

VP·AM 5

(ex VP·5)

P

Soboney

CVE· I I 2

SI

S

Rendova

eVE· l r 4

AE

FLEET AlA WING 5 E

8mfoko

CVE· I I5

BA

VP·MS 9

CV·32

Ofls�any

CV·33

K

CV·34

AI

AAI,clam

CV·36

PflflCelon

CV-37 CV.J8

Shangfl La

Tal8wa

Vallev Forge

PhIlippIne Sea

CV·40 CV.45

V

8adoeng Sltall

CVE·116

CV·47

BS

PS

Soldo<

CVE· I I 7

SA

SIcily

CVE· I I8

POIol Cruz

SL

CVE· I I9

Mindoro

PZ

CVE·I20

Palau

MI

CVE·122

PA

ASllgnmontLilt01Lotl.r Symbol.For Flu'AirWingsandTheirSquadron.

"M

fUght: FdU-4 o(VF·75 Marth 19t\6. The use of the squadron de5Jgnauon on the vertJcal tail ts only knOWn to nave been used by the squadrons of CVSG·75 obool
�

�

�

FLEET AlA WING I A

AA

VP·MS I I

(ex VP·2 1 )

VP·HL8

(ex VP·I08)

AB

VP·ML 1

(ex VP·I28)

AC

(VO) BAT SPOT AONS VO·IB

BA

VO-2B

BB

(ex VP·19)

EA

VP·AM 3

(ex VP·71)

EB

VP·AM 4

(ex VP·73)

EC

VO· IC

CA

(ex VP·IJ5)

EO

VO·2C

CB

(ex VP·20S)

EE

VO·IOC

CC

(ex VO·2)

EF

VO·I2C

CO

(ex VPW·2)

EH

VO·IJC

CE

VO· ISC

CF

VO·17C

CH

VP·ML 5 VP· MS 5 VPP·2 VPM·2

FLEET AlA WING 7 H VP·HL 4

(ex VP· I04)

HA

VP·H L 6

(exVP· I I4)

HB

VP-HL 1 1

(exVP- l 1 1 )

HC

FLEET A lA WING 1 0

L

VP·MS 3

(ex VP·28)

LA

VP-HL 9

(ex VP·1 19)

LB

FLEET AlA WING I I

FLEET AlA WING 2 B

Of

AlIlgnmeolUtipILen.rSymbol.

lorB.tt!OIblpandCrul'I(Sautdroo.

M

(VO) CAU SPOT AONS

A"lgnDlOnlUI!ot loltorSymbol. torMartDtC orD.Sau.dron.

FIRST MARINE AIRCRAF7 WING HEORON MAW I

M 6C

VMO G

(ex VP·27)

BA

VP·MS I

(ex VP·20I )

MA

VMA 153

VP·HL 13

(ex VP· I I5)

BB

(ex VP·2(8)

MB

HEORON MAG 2.

VP-HL 3

(cx VP· 124)

Be

VP·MS 8

VP·HL 5

(ex VP· 143)

BO

FLEET AIR WING 14

VP· ML 6

(ex VP· 146)

BE

VP·MS 2

(ex VP·22)

SA

VMF 2 18

VP·ML 2

(ex VP· IJO)

SB

VMF(N) 53J

VP·ML 4

(ex VP· 144)

FLEET AlA WING 3 C VP·MS 10

(ex YP.74)

CA

VP·MS 3

M5

(exVP·I36)

CB

4

(ex VP·204)

CC

vp.

VPP I

FLEET AlA WING 18 VP·MS 6

FLEET AlA WING 4 0

VMF l iS

(ex VO-5)

(ex vp.J2)

VP·HL 2

(ex VP·I021

VP·AM I

(ex VP·53)

OA

VP.HL 1

(ex VP� 1 16)

VP·AM 2

(ex VP-62)

DB

VPM I

(exVPW- I )

VMF 2 1 1

SC

SO

SECOND MAR" E AIRCRAF7 WING HEORON MAW 2

W

HEORON MAG I I

WA

HEORON MAG 14

we

VMF 212

we

WO

6

VM03

VP·MS 7

S

6

VMF I22 VMF 222

e.B

MJ. & &

e.t:I 61 B B

at.

BII

IIC BO BE

137

Left: Marine reserves from the fighter squadron at HAS JacksonVlJ�. Florida deployed to MCAS EJ Toro, cahforma for their annual ualrung 10 1 947. Notice the VMF·452 airplanes ashOre from the USS BAiROKO (CVE- I I S). Bottom Lett, HellCats assigned to a VF squadron at HAS Dallas. Texas.

Leytc

CV-32

Kearsarge

CV·33

Right: F4U-4 ofVf·75 March 1946.

The

use of the squadron designauon on the

vertical tail Is only known to nave been used by the squadrons of CVBG·75 aboard the USS MIDWAY (CVe-41).

SaJpan

CVL·4e

SA

VP-HL 7

(ex VP·I07)

DC

Wright

CVL·49

W

VP-HL 10

(exVP-I20)

DO

SaJet'nD Bay

VP-HL 12

(ex VP·I22)

DE

A

CVE· I IO

CV·37

58

VP·AM 5

(ex VP·5)

OF

P

Stboney

CVE· 1 1 2

CV·38

51

5

Rendova

CVE·1 14

AE

FLEET AlA WING 5 E

Ba,roko

CVE· 1 I5

8A

VP-MS 9

(ex VP·19)

EA

as

Vp·AM 3

(ex VP·7 1 )

E8

5A

VP·AM 4

(ex VP-73)

EC

VO-IC

eve· I I S

5L

VP·ML5

(exVP·I35)

ED

VO-2C

C8

CVE- 1 I9

PZ

VP·M5 5

(ex VP·205)

EE

VO- IOC

CC CD

K

Oriskany

CV·34

AI

Anllclam

CV-36

PrlOCCIOfl Shang,. La Tarawa

CV·40

Vancy FOfgo

CV-45

V

Badoong Sltall

CVE- 1 I6

Phlhpplne Sea

CV·47

PS

SaldOl

CVE- 1 1 7

SICily

POIOI Cruz

�

�

VO·18

SA

VO-2B

88

(VO) CAU SPOT ADN5 CA

Mindoro

CVE- I20

MI

VPP-2

(ex VO·2)

EF

VO·I2C

CVE· 1 22

PA

VPM-2

(ex VPW·2)

EH

VO·I3C

CE

VO·ISC

CF

VO-17C

CH

flU'AirWing.andTheirSquadron.

% ,4-

(VO) SAT SPOT AONS

Palau

AII/gomoot LI" 01 Lett.rSvmbol.For

d

AIIlgnmenlUI'otlenerSvmbol.

(orB'tU"blp andCru1urSq uadron.

FLEET AlA WING I A VP·HL e

(ex VP-2 1)

M

(ex VP·IOB)

A8

VP·ML 1

(ex VP-I2B)

AC

VP·M5 I I

FLEET AlA WING 2 8

FLEET AlA WING 7 H (ex VP· I04)

HA

Vp·HL 6

(ex VP· I I.)

H8

VP·HL 1 1

(ox Vp· I ! ! )

HC

Vp·HL '

FLEET AlA WING 10 VP·MS 3

(ex vp.2B)

LA

VP-HL 9

(ex VP-1 I9)

L8

FLEET AlA WING 1 1

AulgnmentLI.t 0'LauerSymbol. lorMarineCorp.SqUadrAn.

FIRST MARINE AIRCRAFT WING HEOADN MAW I VM03

M

VM06

VP·MS 7

(ex VP-27)

SA

(ex VP-201 )

MA

VMA 153

VP·HL 1 3

VP-MS I

(ex VP- 1 I5)

88

(ex VP-2OB)

M8

HEDRON MAG 24

VP·HL 3

VP·MS 8

(ex VP- 124)

8C

VP·HL5

(ex VP·143)

80

FLEET AIR WING 14

VP·ML 6

(ex VP-146)

8E

VP-M5 2

(ex VP-22)

VP-ML 2

(ex VP-I30)

VP-ML 4

(ex VP-144)

FLEET AlA WING 3 C VP·MS 10

(ex VP-74)

CA

VP·MS 3

(ex VP" 36)

C8

VP·MS 4

(ex VP-204)

CC

FLEET AlA WING 4 0

VPP I

(ex 110-5)

5

SA sa

SC

SO

VP-MS 6

(ex VP-32)

VP·HL2

(ex VP-I02) (ex VP-1 16) (exVPW-I)

vp.AN, I

(ex VP·53)

OA

VP·HL 1

VP·AM 2

(ex VP-62)

08

VPM I

e.c

6Q

&:I

VMF(N)533 SECOND MARINE AIRCRAFT WING HEDRON MAG I I HEDRON MAG I.

WO

6B

6f.

VIA we

M

VMF 21 1 vMF 218

W VIS

e.

VMF 1 15

HEDRON MAW 2 FLEET AlA WING 18

e.

VMF 122 VMF212 VMF 222

6f. 61 B

B

66 BB

B!:

IlQ

IlE

137

Right; A Douglas R40·5 with bart mttal finish. The last three digItS of the' Burtau Number is used as an kSent1flcation COde. Note the propeller wamlng stripe that surrounds the fuselage. Below: Corsairs of the HAS Squantum reserve squadrons Note the position of the Intemauonal Orange stripe on these aircraft.

Left: A TBM·3E assigned to the reserve squadrons at HAS Squantum. Massachuset.ts HEORON MAG 2' VMR 252 VMR952

Bl

HEORON MAG 22

IlK

VMF 1 1 3 VMF 314 VMF 422 VMO ' HEORON MAG 53 VMF531 VMF 532 VMF 354 AIRCRAFT FLEET MARINE FORCE PACIFIC

A.RCRAFT FLEET MAR.NE FORCE ATlANTIC

E

MemphiS

MARINE CORPS SCHOOLS OUANTICO

fA

Minneapolis

Ill.

A II I QO lItl o lL I I Ig(Le U l uS � m bgl.

aM

ae

( g [MI� II i1 0 CSl U ISG u lHl [ g O I

VX2

XB

Squanlum

BI

VX 3

XC

VX 4

XO

Bll

VRU '

(ex VRJ .)

VRU 2

(ex VRJ 2)

RB

e

VRU 3

(ex VRJ 3)

RC RO

(ex VRJ 4)

UA

VU 2

(ex VJ 2)

UB

PC

VU 3

(ex VJ 3)

UC

VU 4

(ex VJ 4 )

UO

VU 5

(ex VJ '5)

UE

'Ii

VU6

(ex VJ 1 1 )

UF

'Ii

VU 7

(ex VJ 7)

UH

VU 8

(ex VJ 8)

UI

HEORON MAG 25

YiIl

VU9

(ex VJ9)

UK

VMR 152

VU 10

we

(ex VJ 16)

UL

MARINE AIR WEST COAST

HEORON MARINE AIR WEST

HEORON MAG '2

VMR253 HEORON MAG 3' V"F(N)534 V"F(N)542 HEORON MAG 32 V"F 224 VMF 3 1 1

HEORON MAG 33 VMF 223 VMF 3 12

VMF 323 VMF254

e

ell

eo

V:Jl!.

Yill WE WE

Yil:l

YiJ

WK

WI.

'liM we

'liB

\'is 'IiI

New Orleans

NoIloII<

S

Olathe

K

51 loUiS

U

Willow Grove

W

Z

The lellers wore now assIgned to the Camer Alrerall . Groups r81her than the vessel. These deslgnatl()f'lS ....oro CVBG I

VCN '

CVBG 5

C

CVG I

T

CVG 3

K

CVG 5

S

CVG 7

PA

A second letter was used 10 identity the type of squadron as loIlows:

LA

VCN 2

"

CVBG 3

NIGHT OEVRON (PAC)

NIGHT OEVRON (LANT)

It can be seen from this that an aircraft from a Floot squadron and a Reserve squadron could carry the same .all codes An alrcral. Irom .he USS SAIPAN (CVE·4B) would be coded SA. as would an attack aircraft from tho Reservo squadron al NAS Norfolk. The difference would be In lhe Orange fuselage band on the Reserve aircraft On December 12. 1946. the Chief 01 Naval Opcrallons Issued Aviation CIrcular Lener No. 165-46, whICh In part stated rha! the markings. previously specified In AVI81lon Circular Lener No 156·46, could be delayed unlll recolpt of the revised Issue of SA·2. VO·3C was added to tho IISI wl.h a code 01 CI, as weS OPDEV FOR (Oporallonal Developmen. Squadron Four) wl.h • code 01 CK NIGHT DEV RON (PAC) (Nigh. Developmen. Squedron Pac,flc) and N I G H T DEV RON (LA NT) (Nigh. Devalopmon. Squadron Allanllc) were dele.ed

RA

(ex VJ 1 )

VMR322

G

IlB

VU I

VMR 953

Oakland Seanle

VRU 4

VMR 352

R

XA

Illl

M

New York

VX .

as

be idenhfled as AA.. patrol aIrcraft as AP. transport aircraft as AR. and a uhhty aircraft as AU

JaCkSOnvIlle

MARINE CORPS AIR BASES CHERRY POINT

E!I

HEORON AIR FMF PAC HEORON MAG 15

'38

a.E

EII:i

AltaCk

In addlloo to lhe fuselage band IdenufYlng Naval Reserve aircraft. a senes of leners were assigned 10 each Air Siallon as shown AIlacos,,"

A

Co1tMnbus

C

Allanla

B

Denver

p.

Oaltils

0

Grosso lie

Glcnvl6W

V

Los A1ametos

A

Fighter Palto! Transporl

A

Uldlty

U

For example. the letter asSigned to NAS AI\acOSlla was. A. so fighter alfcraft assigned 10 lhelr Reserve Squadron(s) would be Identified by tho loiterS AF. attack aircraft would

CVG 9

PS

CVG I I CVG 13

P

CVG .5

B

CVG .7

R

CVG '9

A

CVG 2'

RI

CVLG . CVEG ' CVEG 2

SA BS

SI.

.39

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..

..

d,rer

7

..

" Iype,

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l

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!/OI

;��I

lie

.M)I

I'�I

III)

401

'II�I

Ci/I (II I

10 1

1111

�) I

�'1I11

1111

1 1 1'1

W W/\

101

\11'1

WII

>'0 1

t�1

WII

I'rl

WII

�111 1 �Al �V�V� I ��I �V�llV�llll ill l ltlilll�I L� ��l�: 1lf1�l l 1 111 1:� WlwILIDJ 11 1 1 11 nil. ,,� Iot"M"'"

II

WI

�lrrmlillJ l[� f"jlrll li llilli l

1_____

t:

IA

Ni t i l

WI ' MI

MA

�lllI1111 1 IJI!�, \lL) IMI, I�I I,I'�

�j)I �WI

__ __ __ __ _ _

left: A North American SNJ·S asstgned to NAS Moffe« FJeld. Callforma. Is identd"1eO by the &ast three digItS of ItS Bureau Number and

base name, Contrary to

speclfK'3tlOr'lS. it appean; that the name IS apphed In two hnes on the right wing. Opposite, The short·

lIVed gOld rectangle WIth Scar1et US.

MARINES is shown on thIS RSO.

Note the two star plaque under the PlIot's cockp(t WIndOW denotlOg a Major General is aboard.

fuselage to the wing lip. Fore and aft. It was In a Similar location to the national aircraft inSignia on the opposite wing Where eND directives specified the use of the lasl three digitS of the alfcralt senal number as a Visual identi­ ficatIOn marking. these numerals were the same size and In the same locatIOnS specified fOf the Unll Aircraft Numeral The hospital InSignia instructions were also mocMied. The ratIO of the cross arm length remained the same. but was Identified as 15/19 of the diameter of the circumscribed

SR-2t was mexhfled by Amendment

circle. The diameter of this cltcle when applied to the verttCal lail surfaces was to be 2J3 of the mean cl'lotd of the fin and rudder. The Clfcumscnbed circle when applied to

Amendment 2. eHectlve May tS. 1947. further modlhod SR·2f Transpot'l alfcraft. assigned to Manne C<Xps trans·

pot'l squadrons onty. were authonzed 10 carry a Gold fOC· tangle 66 Inches (167 64 em) by 12 onches (3048 em) y,.th 1/2 Inch (I 27 cm) Black bOfder. bearing lhe ,nSCrlpllOn

the wings was to be the same diameter as the Clfcumscribed circle of the nattonal aircraft Insignia on the

a

oppoSIte wing (remember this does not include the blue border).

U.S MARINES In .,ghl lnch (20 32 cm) Scarlel lcncr. ThO transport squadrons were to establish a standard localon

1 with an ellect.ve date

of February 28. 1947 In the case of shore·based alrcrall. where no Unit IdenllfYUlg Lener symbo's were asStgned. the

narm 01 100 air SlallOO (e g . NORFOLK). Of abbr....IIOO 01 the uMs IIIIe (e g FASRON) was 10 be used In place of the Un.! Idcnlofyong Lener ThIs marlung was 10 be placed on the vertical tall surfaces and WIngS III the locations speclhed for the Unll ldenllfylng Letlor Tho �tler Stzes used In this

marking on the vortK:a1 tall surfaces was reduced SO that It could be accommodated on the fin and rudder li the name of the unit contained more than one WOt'd. they were to be placed on separate lines The size of letters used on the Wing was to be the largest whICh would fll In the space specified In thiS case. If the name of the uM contained more than one WOfd. they must be on one hne Standard SlZOS Irom soc onches ( 1 5 24 em) 10 18 onches 72 em). In three Inch (7 62 em) Increments. were directed The spacing of tho Unit IdentifYing Leller on the wings was

(45

amended 10 place the cenlcr oI lh,s marlung al a dIStance

from the wing tiP equal to t/3 of the distance from the

144

145

. _ ._. ."_ .. . _ - - ­ . _- - - - - _ .. _ _ .-- - - - _ . ... _-- .. ,' "- " - _ 0' _ _

,

B [J c 7 3

MI
Rig"" Due to the engine " tleS bIoclCJng 10 " • • much of the t\Jset.lge $IOe of thts Crumman 'J1g«cil. lSSigned to the nrst Marine Aircraft Wing. Headquarters Squadron. the Ilrttlft number b appfje(! to the engine cOWl Note the Reel and White propetler warnings on the fusNoe Bottom; A Oougla, RSD·3 a�ned to the Nilval Air TraMpOft SeMce. dOtS not Show Iny VR squadron assjgnment. but $haWS thO tull UUfNU Number on the nose forwara of the NATS Insignia

foe IhlS marking foe oach mod I of ollc roft lhoy opcrolod In goneral. thiS roctanglo was lOcalod In 9 hotllontol POSIII()n on lho vor l lcal fin and bolOw Iho Unll ldonllfYlng LOller(s)

ThO Marino COtpS emblom was og nln authorllod 10 be apphod on bolh sldos of Iho fu sclogo. II was now 10 bo used In lIou 01 lho squadron Inslgnlll pt'OVIdod II won ptacod In tho same loc otion and wos tho sama SilO as speclflod for Iho squadron Inslgnlo Squod ron InSignia co<.ld SIIII bo no l ar g or Ihon .'x I n ch os ( 1 5 24 cm) Morine Corps

1 46

fU8010go No IllO wns dosigna! d lor tho nmblom on Ironsports Auc:rofl could not curry both II squ .ldron InS igni a nnd n MOlulO Coms arnblom

Navnl Air Tran5potl Serveo (NATS) Ircrillt lNfJW 80lilOrtltH' 10 hovo tho NATS InsigniA appllod to both aid", 01 III d ire ty .. luOOlaoo below tho lower t im 01 tho cockplt ....iotJc:Mr bolOw lho Il109I focwOrd peonl Of lho fUnchOll of Iho w n<' sh.ald WIth tho luOOlngo Tnls htld or�i"'\t111y OC'fn 8ulll01l1 I by TochnlCal Ordor No 'Of 43, do,,,,, Novomb<" 3 ,n,n

uanspotl olrcrafl wore author/LOd to carry tho Marino

An ddlhon WlIS modo 10 CAmet Air Group squt,dfon rr III<

Corps emblom oppllod 10 bolh sldos of Iho fusclago bolOw I he lowor rim of Iho cockpit windows dlroclly boiow Iho Il'OSI forward polnl of Iho Junction of Iho wlndshlold and Iho

Ings Tho propallol splnnor, npprQ)umrtloly tho lOP ,nv!..'n Inchos ( 1 7 78 em) 01 tho lin and ruddnr. on hOlh nlttNi, abovo IhO Unll Id nllfVlng lOIlOr(s) WOI/) 10 bo cololil" 10

Left: Bare metal SNJs at Tumer Fteid. Manne Corps SchOols. QuantICo. VIrginia. in 1948. NObce the a55ClftInetf1 of maoongs on one nlQht line. The code EA was aSSIgned to Manne Corps SchOols. The second and third aircraft are mal1<ed MCAS Quanuco and alSo cany the EA designatIOn while the fourth SNJ uses the last three digItS of ItS Bureau Number and does not dtSPlay the EA AU were seMced by Aircraft Englneenng Squa
_e.

designate squadrons wIthIn the Group. The colors used were to conform to the following sequence

R;gh� Douglas JO·I of UUlrty Squa
TrainIng (CNAResTra) lelle, NM5B· I/F40 Seflal 38053. dated August 27. 1947. 10 apply Ihe follOWing letter· number system to alfcraft assigned to the CIC Schoof.

151 Squadron Of Unit - InSIgnia Red

2nd Squadron or UM - InSIgnia While

F6F·5

LF

500 · 5SO

3fd Squadron Of UOiI - light Blue

SNB

LT

5SO · 600

SNJ

LT

600 · 625

4tn Squadron or UOIt - lJght Yellow

5th Squadron or UOit - Ught Green

6th Squadron or UOIt - Black. outhned WIth a 'Nhlle border

Actlylty NAS.Jacksonville VF. ATU # 1

Nonrigid airshIps assigned to Naval Reserve squadrons we,e 10 have Ihe wo,ds U S NAVAL RESERVE applied In lellers 54 Inches ( 1 37 1 6 cm) high in the locations specified for the marking U S. NAVY These Instructions also applied to any free balloons assigned 10 Naval Reserve squadrons AVIatIOn CIrCUlal lener 53-47. dated May 15. 1947. Visual Ident,healton System for Naval A"craft, added the tall codes for the two Fleet Airborne ElectroniC Units These we,e FAETULanl as FA and FAETUPac as FP

The manungs applied to aircraft being used fOf search and rescue were mochfted Wlth the ISSue of AN-I-8a on June 2. 1 947 Auc,all palnled glossy Sea Blue dId nol 'equlre !he Black borde, on lhe O,ange Yellow markIngs The naloooal alrcrall Insignia that normally was applied to the bow was moved all on lhe hull 10 clear lhe Orange Yellow reclangle The shape and size 01 the characters In the Orange Yellow rectanglo were now to be approxtffiately 213 of the height of lhe reclangle The wldlh of lhe characle,s was 10 be 3/4 of lhe heoghl w.lh !he widlh 01 lhe IndIVIdual s!rokes 10 be 116 1he helghl PermanenUy shore·based hehcopters assigned a rescue mtSSI()(1 ....ere . 10 have the enUre fuselage paJOted glossy Orange Yellow Wllh Ihe word RESCUE In glossy Black characters at the Widest part of the lOP (aft of the enclosuro) and bottom of the fuselage In the largest

vertical bk>ck leuers space would permIt A third change was made to the baSIC SR·2f Instruction With the Issue of Amendment 3. having an effective date of May 1. 1948 ThiS amendment increased the sIze of the branch of service - NAVY or MARINES - and model deSignation to two IncheS (5_08 cm) and the BI1Cralt senal number to four Inches (10.16 cm) The Iocallon remained the same The marklOgs d,rected by SR-2 were not required 'or mIlitary alfcraft used for researCh projects The marking of such aircraft were subject to Bureau of . AeronaulJCS approval In each case

The CommandIng OIIicer 01 NavScol. CIC. based al NAS GlenView was directed by Chief of Naval Air Reserve

Idenllfylng

Symbol MA

MB

VA. ATU ,.

Me

VA. ATU 15

MD

SO l

599

VP·MS. ATU N 10

ME

60 1

MF

901

699

InstructOfs ATU

201 299 .01 · 499

YO. ATU N6 and

Reflecllng the reduction In naval aviation after the war Headquarters Circular Letler No. 5 1 ·47 Issued by the Advanced Training Command on November 25, 1947. cancelled the requirements 01 Headquarters Circular Letter No. 1-47. and replaced them with the follOWing markings.

Reverllng to a practice of early aVlahon. the abbreviated rank and last name of the assigned pilot coutd be placed on both sides of the fuselage In two Inch (508 cm) high lellers under the cockpit rim, above and aft of the squadron Insignia This markIng was to be In either Black or While depending on the background to which it was applied so thal ll was given the greatest contrast for good visibility.

VF. ATU '2

Block

999

� .e. SC2t: cusCt)[lSl1 VP·ML. ATU N i l

CA

10 1

1 99

VP·HL. ATU N 1 2

CB

201

299

� 1 01 · 199

Stat10n aircraft not ass1gned to the Advanced Training Un1ts wore to be marked With the name of Ihe station and the last throe digits of the bureau numbers

Left: A VMF·l l s Grumman F9F·2B Panther. The suffix -e- denotes the aircraft has been modified with racks to carry bombs and

rockets.

I

r9r-2 NAVY

leeS84

VF Squadron

30' - 399

VC-5

NB­

VP-44

IVP-MS-4)

CC

VA Squadron

401 . 499

VC- 1 1

(VAW-, )

NO­

VP-45

(VP-MS-5)

EE

VA Squadron

50' - 599

VC- '2

IVAW-2)

NE­

VP-46

(VP-MS-6)

BO -

All transport squadrons were now to be Identiffed by the assigned leiter codes with the individual aircraft within the squadron identilfed by the last three digits of thj3 bureau number.

VC-2'

(CVEG- ' )

BS

VP-47

(VP-MS-7)

SA

VC-22

(CVEG-2)

SL

VP-46

(VP-MS-8)

VC-23

(CVEG-3)

MB

MI

VP-49

(VP-MS-9)

Squadrons (other than those in Carrier Air Groups) includ­ Ing Patrol. Utility. Development. Observation. Fieet Training and Helicopter squadrons were now included in these tail codes. Underscoring was no longer required to denote Marine Corps units.

FAWTUPAC

IVCN-')

VP-5'

(VPW- ,)

EW

FAWTULANT

(VCN-2)

VP-61

IVPP- ,)

SO

VP-62

(VPP-2)

EF

Administrative and post student training aircraft attached to unlls other than those listed above. except Marine Corps Headquarters Squadrons. were to have Ihe ship, station or unit to which assigned spelled out In lieu of a leiter deslg· nalion (e.g._ NORFOLK, FASRON 7, MIDWAY, .'e.). The individual aircraft was to be Idenlified by the last three digIts of the bureau number.

vc CAG OI\/ISIOO

150

0 - 99

VF Squadron

IQI · 199

VF SquaCiron

20'

-

299

PA LA

naolPOrI Utilit yandMIICOISquadron. IQDlOu,

Patro!Squadrgnl (VP-ML- ' )

CD-

VP-2

(VP-ML-2)

SB

VP-3

(VP-ML-3)

CB

VP-4

(VP-ML-4)

SC

VP-,

lAC) VA·l

AP­

VA-2

AA'

VA-3

AT'

VP-5

(VP-ML-5)

MC

VA-5

AS'

VP-6

(VP-ML-6)

BE

VA-6

AU'

VP-7

(VP-ML-7)

HE

VA-6

CarrierAirGroup••DdSqUadrgn.

VP-8

(VP-ML-8)

HO

VR·21

VP-2O

(VP-HL-IO)

DO

VP-21

(VP-HL- 1 1 )

AC

VP-22

(VP-HL-2)

CE -

VA-24

(VAU-4)

AD

(VP-HL-3)

EH

VR-3'

(VAF- ,)

AE

VA-32

(VAF-2)

AF

VR·44

(VA-4)

AM

CVG-'

(CVG-' )

CVG-2

(CVBG-')

M

VP-23

CVG-3

(CVG-3)

K

VP-24

(VP-HL-4)

HA

CVG-4

(CVBG-3)

VP-25

(VP-HL-'3)

BB

CVG-5

(CVG-5)

VP-28

(VP-HL-6)

HB

CVG-6

(CVBG-5)

C

VP-27

(VP-HL-7)

DC

VP-28

(VP-HL-8)

CF -

VP-29

(VP-HL-'2)

OF DB

CVG-7

(CVG-7)

L

CVG-9

(CVG-9)

0-

CVG-1 1

(CVG- l l )

V

VP-32

(VP-AM-2)

CVG-'3

(CVG-'3)

P

VP-33

IVP-AM-3)

EB

CVG- '5

(CVG-'5)

A

VP-34

(VP-AM-4)

EC

CVG- ' 7

(CVG-'7)

A

VP·40

(VP-MS- 'O)

CA

CVG-19

(CVG- '9)

B

VP-41

(VP-MS- 1 1)

MA-

VP-42

(VP-M5-2)

SA

VP-43

(VP-MS-3)

BC

NA'

(PS)

(AD)

EA

The revised list lor identification letters to Naval aviation units was:

(The asterisk Indicates new teller designations. The previous dosignalion is shown In parenthesis.)

AviatIOn Circular Leiter No 69·48. dated August 4 , 1948. V,sual ldentificarion System lor Naval Aircraft. reflected the change In composItion of Carrier Air Groups. The three­ digit numbers to Identify individual aircraft within each squadron were modified as follows'

Right: The Ught YellOw lall tfp and 400 series numbers. of these ADs of VA· \ 15 from CVO·! I . show this Is the number four squadron In the Air Group.

(AE)

(AF)

(AA)

AH'

(VAU-l)

AZ'

VA-22

IVRU-2)

AB

VA-23

(VAU-3)

AC

vo- ,

UB'

VO-2

UC'

vu-,

UA

VU-4

UO

VU-5

UE

VU·7

UH

VU-9

UK

VU- 'O

UL

(CB) (el)

151

Ltft A Ooelng PO· 1 W of VPO· 101 used for anU·submarine warfare carnes a large numbtr " In VttIOw on the nose Middle Not only were the aircraft coded by COk)rs and CtlitlC1ers. bul lhe hlndUng equipment waJ also. In Ih" case, �t b the beac"lng gear for a PSM The large t'Ioalllllon tankS on the beac"lng gear are painted Red and GrHn to tllmlMtt any confUStOn In the wiler ., to wtllch wheefS fit the len. 5kte and wnlCh fit the noht skle of the hull Opposite A McDonnell FH-I Phantom With nonreguiaUon White nose. tip of tafl. rea r 'ustt.lge and U.S MARINES of VMF- I22 painted for the 19119 National Air RIces Marlo.CorA'$quldrAn.

XA

VX·2

XB

VX·3 VX·'

XC' XD

HU·I

UP'

HU·2

UR'

FAETULANT

FA

FAETUPAC

FP

ZP·I ZP·2

152

(CVLG I)

ZW ZL

(SA)

LK

WF

SNB S

o.1TE

VMF(N)·�13

F6F �

o.1F

AIRFo.1�LANT

LZ'

(L)

Vo.1F(N)·53I

LT

AIRFo.1FPAC

WZ'

(P)

Vo.1F(N)·533

AI

AIRFo.1FWESPAC LW'

(W)

HEDRON· I

Al'

HEORON·2

LL

HEDRON'"

Lo.1'

HEDRON·12

WA

(A)

LN'

(LB)

AV'

(PA)

AW'

I�EDRON·33

Wo.1

Ho.1X·1

Xo.1

o.1ATACS·1

1I

MATAC502

WV·

VMF. 1 1 5

AE Pi'

Vo.1F·212

LO

VMF·2t4

WE'

Vo.1F·218

AH

Vo.1F·222

LE

Vo.1F·223

WI(

VMF·225

WI'

VMF.JI I VMF·312 VMF·322 VMF·323 Vo.1F-452

(AO )

(WE)

WL

WR

Vo.1P-354

LV

Vo.1O·1

LR

(SA)

Lf

WC

Vo.1R-153

AC

Vo.1R-252

LH

Vo.1R·352

LB'

Vo.1T- 1

LF

(PS)

we

LT

NOVolAI! loctUUCAIIIQIOtMtlnll pml'ij)tQla I PT SNB

I�

f6F

PI'

Ij

111

SNJ

PT

20

"'.

Novot Air Aosorvo Training Command (NAnaslraComd) Momorandum No 186-48. dOlod Sopiombor 23. 1048. cancollod thO provlOUS InstrUCtionS and rOOSIObhshfld thl! hSI 01 tailor symbolS fOf olrcroft osslgnod 10 Nov,'l Air An· sorve TroJnlng Command aCllVltlos Those JolIor, .... 010 10 bo appllod In accordanco wllh SR·lI. tho saOlO (If; IINII actIVItieS "

Akron

(51)

AB'

NaVo lAllbtCbotCAI110 1000tID!! OI('o."lCa

we

TyptAI"r'"

(PO)

KT

F6F·b

AA

Vo.1R· I S2

780 8'

OKj O I Ir!llt'MOQUrn! O!;)ulQ NOVol&rIOCh B

Chlel 01 Naval Air Tochnlcal Training (CNATochTra) Iollor NM56-3/F39 Serial 4 4 10. dalod Soplombor 10. 194B. assigned visual Idontilicahon loltors·numbers for aircraft assigned 10 actlvltlos 01 Naval Air Tochnlcal Training (NATechTra) The dolay In assIgning those markJngs was caused by the Ihought that such markings Should be assigned by the Naval Air Stations these unils were tenants of so thoy would bo In llno With the supporting actlvilles' codos This 10110r dlroctod thOI Ihe lollowlng were 10 bO appllod

(RE)

AD' WS

WT

Vo.1T-2

WP

VMF·224

Vo.1P-254

Vo.10 8

LC

VMF·21 1

WH

Vo.1O·3

HEORON . . S HEORON·2'

Vo.1F(N)·�2

JOO 120

0.11

SNJ

SND

(LA)

HEORON·I.

Vo.1F.I22 VX· I

Vo.1F(N)· 1 I4

CNATochTrn R4D-5

'I

yarttlng

lXXlo!1QrlPool rM' AgO')!o/I"O"VQ&T

JRB IIrftlO!OQCMINMl:mllhr' ftCOOICD lAllT Nayo MTE 212 R4D·5

AMcosIia

A

Allanm

B

NewOr an.

X

Blfn'llOQharn

Columbus

T

Ne-N VOf�

R

C

"""'01"

S

Dol,..

D

oa.1an
Donvor

P

01011,.

K

G_w

V

$QcII<*lI

N

GtOl.. IIO

Seo.IG

T

JackOonVI".

51 lDuoI

lol A_lOt

SquonIum

l

w

W

Mom"...

0.1

U

Glove

.. leI! 11 Ihould be nolad lhat tho ,rcralt cia was no long r required

r

doSognIloon

Nontacllcal alrcralt. luch OJ A'D. JRB. SNB. SNJ. nd J2F_ asltgnod 10 reaotvO units. woro 10 UH the laSt thlDO dog,,, 01 tIlO Bureau Number tho II/TlO as fleet ""'''

153

!.eft, A Curuss SBZC of TorpodO Squaaron 74 stili carried tne three part ldenttfication While abOard the USS MIDWAY during the ArtJc Cruise

RIght, A nonrlgkl K type .1""lp kSentdied aJ number 3 In lighter· Than-Air Squaoron 2 IZI'2).

In November t948.

Tactical aircraft wore 10 be Identified numerically by numbers wllhln tho blocks listed lor the alTcraft types

AlreCl"Type

� I · 50

Nr6F·� N FG 10. N F4U·4 N SB2C·S N TBM·3E N PV 2 N·PBY·SA

51 - tOO

one WIth Bureau Number 27764. and the other wllh Bureau Number 23764 The UOil aircraft numbers selected would be

7764 and 3764 The base 'dentU/calion lener would

also be usod. CNAResTra leller NM58·I/F39 Serial 60738. daled December 1 . 1948, cancelled the prevk>us mooungs aUlh. ()(lZed on Augusl 27. 1947. lor Ihe CIC School al Glenview and replaCed them with the following.

lOt - t25

1 26 - 175 1 76 · 200

500 · 550

F6F

20 1 · 215

With tho lasl Ihroe Of four numorals of the aircraft Buroau Numbor as applicable

SNBlSNJ

Tho Inlorn8110nal Orango luselage slrlpe was nOI 10 be applied 10 alrcroll asslgnod lor USN lIighl prollciency or 10 olher ajrcrafl not dlroclly connecled with the Air Resorve Program Chlel 01 Noval Air Basic Training leller NAT/F39- I /VV Se"al 1675 dalod Soplember 27. 1948. assigned visual JdontUjCaljOn 101l0r8 for aircraft assigned to actlvllies of Ihe Naval Air Basic Training Command. These leller(s) were 10 be as 101lOws

ACII�II� NAAS Chevallor Field

P

NAAS C()(ry Field

C

BTU·2 IBTU

NAAS Saulley Flold BTU·3

A

C

B

S S

A B

W

BTU·I A W

A

BTU·IB W

B

NAAS Balin FICId

I2ulIIna1sIr

C

COTU-4S NAAS Whiling FlOld

Unll

Slatlon

l2aalQollQ[

B

AOVISOl 1 to NAAosTraComd M9fnOfandum No 168-48. doled November 24. 1948. added lhe prOVISIOll lhal In the event of 8 confllci In tho lost throe digits 01 the Bureau Number. the last lour woro 10 be used In identifying non­ lacucal a,rcralt For example. two aircraft aSSIgned to a unit

On December 28. 1945. Ihe Chiel 01 Naval Air Reserve Training Command added Ihe lellers B and H 10 Iho IIsl 01 base identification lellers for NAS Lincoln and NAS Niagara respectively. Alter three moeJilications to SR-21, it was superseded by

SR·2g on February I . 1949_ Painling and upkeep provod

10 be more of a problem than was deemed jusllliable. Thus. after a Shorf splurge. lhe Gold rectangle With Scarlet U,S MARINES on the tail of Marine Corps Iransport aircraft was discontinued.

Unit IdentifYing Leller and Numerals to deslgnale the group. squadron or slallon 10 which Ihe airship was assigned. as well as tho airship number wllhln lhe squad· ron, were to be pamted on both SIdes of lhe �er verucal fIn and centered With respect 10 lhal surface These leuers and numerals were to be 40 IncheS (lOt 60 cm) high In Ihe case of airships aSSigned to air stalions or shore uOils. where no Identifying lener symbols were assigned. the name of the air station (e,g .. LAKEHURST). or an abbreviatIOn of the unit's title, was to be painled on both sides of the lower vertical fin in leuers 15 inches (38. 1 0

�

cm) high. The model and serial number were t o b e be in characters 40 Inchos pO 1 .60 cm) high. The entire group was to be centerad on Iho surface. Naval Reserve airships wore 10 be marked the same as airships attached to a station wIth Ihe name of the air stallon where Ihe Reserve Unll was based.

n "*

� il (

U =f .r-

o .

The June IS,

1949, Aircrsft Complements snd Alfowances of the Navy and Marine Corps. CNO Sorial 1770PSO. also

included the Visual Identification System lall codes. Some new squadrons were Idenllfied. as well as changes In leners for several others As always some squadrons had been disestablished and no longer appeared on the list The following list has been extracted from this dlrecllve

CaalerAirGroup.aodSquadron.

:

il .... ._ ... ..-

with the last four digits of the aircraft serial number to

CVG·3

K

dillorentiate It from another alrctal! haVing the same last three digitS, this marking was 10 be located in place of the Unu Aircraft Numeral and be of the same size.

CVG·4

F

'lC-S

CVG·S

5

VC· \ I

CVG-6

C

VC· 12

U S NAVY was now reqUired on al/ experimental model

CVG·7

opposHe wing The model designatK>l1 and serial 01 nonngld airships wore to be applied 10 the side of the car Wllh the honlontal canler hno ol lhe iellenng Iocaled aboul 18 IncheS (45 72 cm) belOw lhe bouom 01 tho lalling The group mar�lng was to be located approximately 25 percent of the car length from tho front of the car Tho characters used for lhese markings wore 10 be 4 IncheS (10.16 cm) high

CVG-8

VC-21

E

CVG· \ I

VC-22

NO NE

as Sl

MI 51

P

VC·24

CVG·IS

A

VC-�

CVG· 1 7

A

'lC-31

CVG I 9

B

VC·3

NP

NA

NB

VC·23

CVG·13

VC·4

. _ ._ . _ .... _ ..

T

CVG·I

30

)

II

CNO dlrecllves permilled nonlactical aircraft to be marked

alfcraft on lho upper surface of Ihe tight wing and bottom inches (76.20 cm) high Surlace ol lhe lell Wing .n lellers In a Similar kxallon as the nalional alrcralt Insignia on the

)

u.s. HAVY

'lC-32

VC-33

SK

SP

SA 55

VC-61

pp

VCllZ

TL

165 154

Left: F4U-4 assigned to VMF·2 1 1 wtth Red and White Striped tall cone and tiP of rudder. A SIX Inch ( 1 52A

em) squadron It'ISIgnia IS beneath the wiO(Jstueld. Opposite: Grumman F6f·Ss of the newly reformed VF·3 fl)'109 out of NAS Oceana. Virginia. In October 1945. reverted to the three­ part identification markulgS. FAWTUlANT

LA

VA-23

RC

FAWTUPAC

PA

VR·24

RD

VO-'

UB

VU-3

UF

Patro!Squadron, VP·I CD VP·2

sa

VP·3

CB

VP·4

SC

UD

VU-7

UH

VU·IO

UL

VP·5

Me

VP·6

BE

VP·7

HE

V)(·I

VP·6

XA

HD

VX-2

VP·2 1

XB

HC

VX·3

XC

VP·22

CE

VX-4

XD

VP·23

EH

VP·24

HA

HU·l

UP'

VP·25

BB

HU·2

UA"

VP·26

HB

VP·27

DC

FAETULANT

FA

VP·26

CF

FAETUPAC

FP

VP·zg

DE'

(OF)

VP·33

EB

ZP·'

ZW

VP·34

EC

ZP-2

ZL

VP·40

CA

MarineCorp,Sqyadrgn. AIRFMFlANT LZ

VP.42

SA

VP·44

CC

yp.a5

EE

AIAFMFPAC

VP.46

BD

AIRFMFWESPAC LW

VP.-47

SA

HEDRON·'

VP·46

MB

HEOAON·2

VP-4g

EA

HEOAON· , I

LM

HEDRON" 2

WA

VP·51 VP-l31 VP.e2

EW

SO EF

I[IDIRQ[J Lr U III�I D:dMtIHi I U IOItiI ISslulifu ml VA·22 156

VU·4

RB

WZ AI Ll

HEDRON·14

LN

HEOAON·15

AV

HEOAON·24 HEOAON·33

AW

WM

COtltlf'lU8don P8{}8 160

OIll}()1114 A I 41111,,,11), /tt'l'OI,w1 (lfJUIIVlttil rn IU IMlfllcttl l ll

��ptl�r;:::,��ft��n,B���'h��tI

lIullng nil AI! !lnCJW AI OIIitW!I, 0Il14lk•• C41Ulflll ll1 AIIUtI" l U l l

hl

!flft pl l " '1 fI, p.1lnlll(J on IIw, cowl. /.jfltH:14 t1l1 Cmitllf 111111111 10 Inft .1�IMnfr'til, I"� Cor",!! W�' (!tIl�I, nOl wlllKllJl .o!IMt /1"1*1. �WllhUlnu Ilftfllh.- Ihli IUtll1G fAille from IIHI til{ t tlIIU Air, IJoI....lnp IIlfmlUtl 11111 fIll lnll1lrOOkif 1111('". ffiltfUt It IJhllnrllVft wtll,tUno /IUIII\II "IUIlI Il1krtu In M�y 1 000 III OrUf",rum'� ClUVtullln flIIIII, tlUi I 01 ' Wri'i IMIII�lj'kl/ IV

?t ��l�il�' �� 1��II:;'�tVI��:;'��II

1111 mIHkln�'1 flJ Iti fOlf1l11U 10 "IOIJUIIIOII'l

V I 110 I!>IJ

W I!

VI

13

__

I�______� I� V� __� __ ______ __

_

VMI I I I 16f1

RIght, This DouglaS AD·4Q of VA·55. shows "'" plaCement of the unit code and afrcraft number on the under surface of the WIng. The unit code can be seen on the upper right ShOwing the positioning of these mariOngs on the upper surface. Below: East coast Reserve squadron's Corsairs at MCAS EI Taro during the annual two week training exercise In 1948. Alrcraft from Anacostla. Columbus, JackSOnvIlle and MIami are shOwn.

VMO-I VMO·3

LA

AA

VM0-6

we

VMA·I52

we

VMR·I53

AC

VMA·2S2

LH

VMA·352

LB

VMl·1

LF

VMT·2

we

NAReslraComd Memorendum Number 298·49 dalod August 1 7, 1949. superseded NAResTraComd Momo Number 168-48 and addad lhe N·F6F·5P and N·F8F·I 10 the 1 10 50 block of side numbors N·FH·l and N·FJ·l replaced lhe N-SB2C·5 In lhe 101 to 125 block N PBY·6A was added 10 the 20 I 10 215 block On Oclober 5. 1949. NAReslraComd Memorandum Num­ ber 298-49 was revised N·F8F·5. N·F8F·5P. N·F8F· l . N FG·ID and N·F4U·4 were now all 10 be Idoohl'ld '" If'" I 10 100 block.

SECTION 4 MAINTENANCE AND SAFETY MARKINGS CHAPTER 4

1940·1 949

Gonorally. mOlnlononco and sololy markings 8a thoy appllOd to NovOI 81rcraft wOre 60 small that thoy aron', vlslbla In photooraphs They clfA Included horo to holp mako tho rocord completo 88 well as 10 assist Ihoso Ifwolvod In tho 10910'01100 of Blrcraf' Amondmonl 2 10 SR 15c, Tho PrOIOCIIOfl 01 NOV81 A/lcwll nnd PaIls, dOlod July 10, 1940, lOQulrod Ihal Iho Innor s",lacos 01 dIVIng linps w ro 10 bo parnlod Inslgnlo ROd as o soloty mansuro lor lhos working on tho Olrcroll SO thai Ihoy couldn'l OCCldoniOlly bo caughl In closing liaps, SR·2b, dalod OClobor 8, 1 940, wos a major chango In Iho lochnlcal markings oppllod 10 Naval ollclal1. AlIoI lour yoors 01 uno, Ih color Idonlilicalion 01 piping sYSloms was Bgaln modlflod Somo dOGlgnalioos were dropped and new 111101 color comblnolloos woro added 10 properly Idenllfy Ihe variOUS systoms which hod changed luncllons ovor tho yoars Tho conOCI dOSlgnohons woro Funt

ROd

0.1 (lubrlCnllng)

Yellow

CooI."r (Pr..,ono)

WhlIO· 8lack-WhUO

COoI�MlI (Wl1IOf)

wt.re

ho EllltlngUlsMt

Brown

FlOCahoo Equlpmttnl

Ughl Blue

O"Yll""

Ughl Green

PJICM PrMIUfO

Air Spood

Black

Raght Yougnt 1t-�t pMo\ W,llIflI 8 Boothby Pfepir� to t�t tty I briM MW r4U" I Conalr It thecompany"s Stnltf'ord. Connecbcut I.e 11 WI 1942. NOlle lht mu It.UCJe of wf� and mamtt'Olnce II"I$truclloM Ipplied fM'f tnt .lffl'lmt

Rlgh" StrvIctng InswctlOns typical of.he peood are shown on UU5 earty venion of the The �ue stripe on the bKk of the propeller blade t5 extended to prevent glare In the pIIot's eyes. Note .he logo and legend applied ID the face of the propeller _ Bottom Few serviCe and technical maJ1tangs were applied to the nonrigid airships However. due to the hazard to personnel. a Rld proptller warning stripe was appilld to each skSe of the control car.

Left! DouglaS R3D-2 assigned to VMJ-2 In OCtober t 940. showing the """"" bands on the proptller tips and k:lcaJIy applied propeller warning stnpe on the fuselage prior to tht Bureau directed 53fety marking. Enllre airplane Is bare metal WIth Btack markings and the Red, White, and Blue vertical rudder stripes stili used by the Martne Cofps.

&allC Pressure

AM Speed, A1hmele, Climb InSllumonl

Black-Ughl Green

Man.loId PfossurO

Whlle-ughl BJuo

Vacuum

Whlte-Llghl Green

HydmullC 011 Pfessufe Max

20 p S I

Min ?O p S I

Ughl Blue-lIghl Green Yellow-Ughl Green

Steam

Ughl Blue·Black

Purging

Light Blue·Yellow

Exhaust Analyze

Ughl Blue·Brown

Antl·lClng

White-Red

Vont (CloGOd CompOilmonl)

ROd·Block

Smoko Scroon EQulpmonl

Brown·WhllO

FlUor caps fo' fuol and 011 lonka. hand pulls for IIro extin­ guishors. lIoalallon oqulpmonl, and all other parts and OllachmanlS lor which Idontlflcatlon was necessary or doslrablo woro to bo palntod lho color appllcablo to tho particular mClIorlal concorned

Tho bosle doping codo remalnod unchanged Howovor. tho list 01 code Iollors was oxpanded to Include the ctoslgnatlon 01 now aCllviliOS doing Iho work Commercial aCllviliOS woro to be Idont,f,od by tho same 101l0r as used 10 Indicato tholr nama In lhe manufaclurot. type and model 01 alrcral! dostgnauon palnlod on the rudder Naval overhaul aCIlVlllCS woro row IdonuUed by lho IoIlowlng ctoslgnaling lellors SO

NAS Son 0..0.0 Call1or'''.

NAF

Naval A\rcf8h FacCOty. Phlladetphl8, PenntytvMla

NOR

NAS NorfOlk. Wg1nta

PEN

NAS P""I8COia. AorlOll

PH

HAS Pearl HarbOr. TeUllory of HawaiI

CS Sf

"AS Coco Solo. Canal Zooo NAS Sean"'. Washonglon

N val Ro""", BD008 woro Idonlihed by the lellors dealg n8hng the bo.. ,oIlowed by tho Iollera RB Uncior the new syslorn tho numerals IlIOlCating lho ",""bor 01 coata pro· cocIod tho loll r/numeral comblnatoon ,lIOlCatono tho apoel· IlClltoon numbOr 01 the dope Tho '''8t group 01 charactors IlIOocated the ",""bor 01 Cioor coati 0110 tho socond group

t 94

of characters indic81ed the number of plgmenled coalS. Numerals Indlcatong tho date 01 completoon as month. day and year followed the last dope SpeciftC8tion number The 10llers Indlc8ung Ihe finishing activity followod the date For example.

4·2Dt2d 8·'5-40 SO indicated Ihat four coals 01 cloar and two coats 01 aluminum pigmented dope - Specilicatlon D·t2d. hnlshod August t5. t940. by NAS San Diego. Caillornla.

seO- l

SR·ISd. dated March 26. t 942. deloled tho reqUirement lor a two Inch (5 08 cm) wator line on the exterlOf 01 the hull 01 IIYlng boalS and amphibians ThiS marking was now pamted on the Inside of tho hull In a color of maximum viSibility as an aid In locatIng leaks and the InsorHon of plugs Amendment 1 to NAS Jacksonville Local Process Specrfl· cation No. 9·42. datod May I I . t 942. added two new markings lor piping systems

4Dt2d 3Dt3c 8-t5·40 NAF

Oxygon FlUor lIno

Ughl Groon YoUow · Ughl Groen

Indicated that lour coats 01 clear dope - Spoclflcatlon D· t2d. and Ihroe coats 01 Yellow pigmented dope - Spocl· flcatlon D·t3c. finished August 15. t 940. by tho Naval Alrcra" Factory In Phlladolphla. Pennsylvania.

Manifold Prossure Llno to FuOI Tonk Prossure UnIt

ROd · YOIIOW

Propollors on palrol aircraft did not havo to havo Iho Rad. Yollow and Bluo strlpos palntod on Ihe tips unless thoy ware 0 hazard to personnel. However, Buroau of Aero­ nautlcs lollor Aer·E·25·HY. datad February 26. 1 94 t . changod tho color on propellor tips to road Chromo Yollow vorsus Bright Yellow. and Dark Blue vorsus Insignia Bluo It Is bellove thaI Ihoso wore only color name changos and thol no actual change was Intended In shode All propellers wora 10 have the Iront and back of the remaining poftoo 01 the blado '0 tho hub painted In nonspoeular Black 0< Dark Sluo this, of course, was nol necessary on those propel· lors which had tho surlace I,nlshod In anodiC coating dyed Black 0< Dalk Blue

Tho doping code was translerred Irom tho SR·2 80rles to tho SR·70 sell"S. Application of Dopes and Laequo,. to Fa/Jrlc Surfacos of Alrerafl. With tho Issue 01 Amendment t to SR·70b. dated Aplil tS. t94 t Since Naval aViation had expanded Immedlatoly prior to World War II. Iho numbor 01 ovorhaul lacl"'los also expallOod This oxpanslon and lalor reduction IS shown In AppendiX F On February 6. t942. tho Bureau 01 Aeronautics published a Iottor modifying tho InstructiOnS on lho eXlorlor painting. Insloni. and markings on Fleet alrcralt This Iottor dlrocted th t tho colors lor marliing propellor blado lipS wero to bo changed agoln They wore row doslgnaled Inslgnl. Fled. Orango Yollow vorsus Chromo Yellow. and back to Inslgmo Bluo from Dark Blue AgaIn, this was an exorCise In chang Ing cw names Without an actual chango In COlor

(It has nol been determined what thO oxact dale wl1'� IMI those colors wero adoplod. bul thIS IS tho earlleSI rclcrl.�O lound ) On August 28. 1942, tho Bureau of AoronauliCS car.collod the reqUirement to patnt propeller ups Wllh Red. Yotlo.... and Blue bands, prOYtded that tho blados Wilro pol r!ltd n nonspocular Orongo YoUow on both Sides extend fY.) I,om tho liP to loul IncheS ( to t6 ern) Irom tho lop SA·2c, dalod January 5. 1943, speclf.ed many nf1/1 Itl(.t nteal markIngs that worD to be appliOd to nil IIlIcr.11I BeSIdes Hand Grjps and LIII POints Ihat woro .tlrencly Idontlflod, such OthOr facllillos as Baggago Comparunt nl and lifo Raft Stowago wore to be Idenl.'1 d Emmooncv oqulpmonl such as Flro ExtlngUlshor, Hood Rolcar,(J, .mc!

LIn NO\ INn)' .Im.n wtf.

lO«luntd 10 comr-lM I)' for h JfUl ftllOfQ<'n
:J � ��� �:!�:�: !

" Crumman ' /I .,p 1t\\iQntld 10 Mlr!,... "... �5A (VMr ?!lA) In 11I4IJ. QKrNlno the propeUt'f w.rnlng I"IPI 11M Ih. Idf\nlllk'AIInn of an .mmunillnn t.lnll lC(, dOc)(

"

mgtu l'IloIOO" I)/I� Sq....

U MW 'kll lY P'JfJ)D!.M but ootct 11111 tM lochnk'.l lnlrwm.UIon \umcUf\d on ClJCh blade '

nmnrOtlncv nqulprnonl opur ling handlos woro 10 bo clnllliv mnrkod 10 Indfcnlo t)olh lunClion nnd op rulinG Inl'lltuC:hOfi rlUor Cups lOf 'utll nd 011 1 nks. nnd nil olhor IIlClUfnnl 1>11111 und Il1l1noa lor whiCh Idonlllfcollon wn nnCtlllluy Ot dnlunblo. wnfO 10 bO pOlntod Iho oolor I ItJnod 10 lho luncllOn coocnrnnd Whorovor IIlgnn W(ulJ

1\(I(:f' rutrV, nppropllilio mHlklfl{J!l wor 10 btt ppUnd

W Ikw VII 01 CIll1l1OU iOgod ol,c",1i we, boI"Id.�1 by " 010 k Iino OrlO Inch (' bit em) wid Ind rnlukOd with Iho WOld. WAI KWAY. oppllOIl luliobly Ind'cn! a

Oll

nomo w '0 10 h"vo .olmy Blrlpa II1Nltlllling 1M pi no 01 m01l1l goel IIC' II Ihll mn,klng Iho p opallo pmh On wil to bo two J) 1 1101, WlIvy 11001. onn lt1Ct\ (2 bA elll) wldO nd 111100 ,nehos (7 O? crn) po,l. p 111" CI In I10118"oculo,

.

.

0

..d '0 w 10 Ionian," ROIl m .koel W,lh Ihl1 WO'lls DANOrn pnoPI ��m Till) II WOfd worn 10 bo In non pocul 1 InISIUliin Rod Inllma IWO InchOa (5 00 cm) 111011 111 slllllOllllll1y IrllqlHlnl lnlOlVolB 10 'n dlcntO tho (InnomOUR r n On nonoRmouflRQnd nlrctnll, Iho mnrklnu wn 10 Of} I tllrulghl huntl IhroH Inchtl ( ' fl� em) wldo In InolOlllo nott "oncllng hom ch'n 10 ch'nll

AdloC III 10 1M 8111pO 1110 WO,dH DANG!n rnorrl �rl1 worn 10 no oppU d III Inol0I1I11 nO(l ll)lIolft IWO lnellon (5 08 cm) In holghl m 611111olonlly IrOqllwll ""OIvlllo 10 InWcolo 1Il(J dnngoloufl oron I londUng IHiCk IYlo,klnOB WOIO oppllnd on l1ullll nnd IlOn toono to Indlotllo Iflo �lll1fcl JlOln!fl" whloh worn In rallt on thO hnlldllng truck ohockn 1 1 10110 IlOilllfl woro Incllcnlod hy 11 Illook OIriPO IwO Inclloa (� OO c,n) wlc lll. ".",n",ng " fHIWolonl dlfllnncn 10 provjdo alom IndlC'mllon 01 1�lflclion onei boundnrloll Tho lOll. 'noh ( 10 16 CIlI) w ,nlllO BI" I'I' 011 ",opollo, lipS could 'lOW 1m 11111101 glOBbY 01 'lOrl"I""" ,III' O.lIlIgO Yllilow d pondlng on whOlhof IIWt rUlcruli wll8 11nlnJ\fItI In ItWl t)iltlk: noncomouflnno or cnmo"f1nn r.hUfUO

!iR ?d dllllJd Ducnmbnt 27. 111 .11 'tHllI/tllll Ifi ll II 01 non YUIIow wlunlrt{J I!IIIIPI' on I1ft>f1I,l!tll": 1 � 11M" 1 (·1 1 cm) or nr" IIIf III dh',"UW' Wit" 10 hH Illf tnchl" ( I' wldn

I tm)

NAB Aillmoctu (.lIlIIo,n" ""lI1mhl", ,uut Hil I' ,I, Onp""Hlwll I DCIII l'IOtUlnl Spm IIIc:u!IOn No It I II,thld

JUflllnry 2. I 4h. II Ihfl IIIIIhunl IHrlftllylt 10 IIlml willel! "pl\ClfluR I NCI 0911111 1 1 1 1 1 1101 III I �,('I\I'I I'AW I nn ( A!'l l un /I IIlIIlItlulmy IfIllfklfl{J IIml /tltllll hu .tpJlllllcl lIl IIilUtt" 01111 Illth ' b4 em) In "010111 111 Ihu oulr.hlu fl i 1 U hutl ul 1hft ftlrc:rnll, Willi II Ihut Imow 11t& ,IPP\! .11 I

(

Inl'

! n IOU, dnll.o July ;'0, ItI-Hl e:llf,t( 'lid Ih." wi 11 flfl ( ',M" I IntUit hll1.6 twon tJrUtf! 101 COVUIII1U Ihet Illflll' II UII loll , POI ,1" .tttltl ttl ntH'",11 tloPIIl{J Godl Two (.It II,pI I Iht' ndl In IIMt Itl 1111 hlf)ft 'I' I Of (,U.d,,.,.

d '1Ihht I,,. "AN n

I }A'�

()

I

I '"

t4A.�

CUT HERE FOR Left: A bare metal lO- I

assigned to VMF-3 1 1 1n 1948. Note the Red waming stripe around the aft. fuselage In line wtth the turbine blades. Bonom: Another VMF-31 1 Lockheed TO·I wnh numerous safety and service Instructions stenciled on the bare metal skin. The abovo IndIcates prodoped fabnc wtth four coats clear dope. SpecIfIcatIon AN-D-t . and two coats camouflage dope. SpeclllcallOn AN·D-3. finished March 1. I94S. by Naval Air Material Cenler, Philadelphia. Pennsylvania For UOdOped la"'",

10-34 3AN·D-1 2AN-D-2 2-15-45 SO

The abovo Indjcates one coat of fungicidal first coat dope, Specification 0-34. three coats clear dope. Specification AN-D-I. IWO coalS 01 plgmenled gloss dope. Specificalion AN-D-2. frnished February IS. 1945. by NAS San Diego. CallforOla

The formal idont,f,catlon of escape hatches and their operallon was dlrectod In AN-I-37 Army-Navy Aeronautical Specification, Idontlflcatlon of Escape Hatches. datod September t2, 1945. These markings were 10 be Orange Yellow, except on a yellow surface where the color was to be glossy Black. Escape halches were 10 be Identified inside the aircraft as well as outside. Internally an IdentificatIon band Vias to be painted completely around

the pertphery of escape hatches. doors and eXits wherever JXlSslble or practicable. as a qUIck vIsible Indication of an escape eXit for crew and passengers. This marking band was to be as wide as posSible. not exceeding two inches (S.08 cm) and in no case less Ihan one Inch (2 54 cm) in width. If posSIble. the width of thiS band was to be equally divided between the mounting and the door or escape hatch itself. Where lining would cover any of these markings, the marl
Bottom: Grumman F9F·2B as5¥J1"Ifd to

•

VMF·l IS shOwtng numerous safety and openItJng instructJons. Note tNt the aircraft. Bureau Number is appbed to the remov.lble nose conejust aft of the aircraft. number as iIIn akj Ul retunung the correct nose aft.er mamtrnance hid been performed on the <Monk and ordnance equipment. ThIS wa.s atso

EMERGENCY

L

RESCUE

done on the removabae taD seam.

to fully explain Its operallon The wording was to be Slandard English. SUCh as "PUSH: "PULL," "TURN: ·SLlDE." etc. These instructions were to be in lellers prelerably one Inch (2.54 em) In helghl. bul ln no case less !han 1/2 Inch (I 27 cm) in helghl Except for those emergency exits located near the pilot's cockpit. a protected radioacllve luminescent marker(s) was to be permanently affixed to the escape panel release handle or placed as near as practicable to the escape panel release handle so thaI In reaching for the marker(s) the escape panel release handle would be encountered. All external panel releases were 10 be labeled EXIT RELEASE on Ihe oulsldo 01 Iho aircrall 10 lacllliale quick idenlification. The wording doscriblng the operation of the release handle was to be in standard English. such as "PUSH: "PULL: "TURN: "SLIDE: elc .. Ihe same as applied inSIde. ThiS lenering was to be at /east 1 inch (2.54

em) In helghl and placed as near as pr8CIrcabio 10 I 01 lhe escape panel

laIC

If the structure Immediately surrounding aUXIliary e)ll!'i (WlrlCtowS and naVtgatOf's domes. etc ) Has free from avy members. bulkheads. rnarn Iong,'udrnal member•• and lrom oxygen. fuel and oil lines. or battery leads . •t was tu be marked both Instde and out of the fuselage WIth a br n band ThiS band was 10 be approxmalely 1/2 rncI1 ( 1 27 em) In WIdth, placed as closely 10 the a,oa as pass blc Each segment of the band was to be apprOJumately one Inc...... (2.54 cm) In lenglh w/lh lhe segmenls 12 Inches (30 46 ern) aparl The words CUT HERE FOR EMERGENCY RESCUE were to be paInted or stonclled on the outSide of Iho aircraft. Inside of. and parallel Yllth. and Immedl.J!oly adJacent 10 each broken band, thus Idenltfylng a sccond.uy passago Tho words CUT HERE FOR EMERGENCY RESCUE wore to be painted Of slenclled on thO Insldo 01 the aircraft inside of. parallel With. and Immodlatoly adjacent to each broken band Lenerlng. both Ins/do nOd OUI. was 10 be one Inch (2 54 cm) In helghl

Left, A Bell HTl.." provides • good examplf of tail rotor warnings and the problem of where to locate mat1dngs on some helicopter rT'IOdels. Bottom: This Douglas AO·3E of VX· I well illustrates the numerous service mat1dngs on the uterior of the airplane and radar fairing.

Other emergency escape areas were usually areas of a type which could be Cui through to provide a means 01 roscue whon enuance or exll could not be readlty made In any other manner. These aroas were to be determined by visual InspechOfl of each affected 8lrcraft. since rekXatlon and rOlnstalial1Ofl of equipment. furnishings. oxygen. fuel. 011 lines and ballory leads may have been made which Y/OUld nol be Inchealed on the Of'IQlnal lnSlallation draWIngs of tho aircraft These areas were to be as close as possible to the normal st9110ns for personnel, except where personal Injury 10 occupants might result from forced entry al Ihal point

These areas were to be marked on both the Inside and outside 01 the fuselage only by the use of corner markings. The horizontal and vertical bars of the corner markings were to be approximately three inches (7 62 cm) in length and one Inch (2.54 cm) In width. In the approximate center of the area IndICated by (he four corner markings the words C U T HERE FOR EMERGENCY RESCUE were 10 be painted or stenciled on the outside of the alTcraft, and the worde CUT HERE FOR EMERGENCY EXIT were 10 be painted or stenciled on the inside. Lettering was to be approximately one inch (2.54 cm) in height

Right: Notke tne propeUer wamang stnpe around the fUsNge of this Martin

P4M·! Mercator, and the numerous seMce decals applied to the aTrmfl.

4

5

6

7

8

9

..,.... Iko AmmuotIOI eo-es App lJQhISogM"" ...... Aoxdlary Fuel

80<._ Bureau Numoet catapoll HoIOback Ocluekng Dr9lO

� Fuel Fl1ttngt8of0l'o

""""""", C<M!< 10 Emergency Oanory OIsconnc<:l 1 1 Fill HydraulIC lMlt 12 FrOn! 13 Fuel SU81OO1' 14 Fool Tank 15 F7F·l 16 GoSOll1lO Vonl Of Intake (CIfCIe) 17 18

G(.p Gun Accola

19 Guns 20 HyduWIlC Tank

21 22 23 24

Jack on Hook Of Bumper Jack Paa JurySlrUl Juty SlrUl UI .....

00 NoI lJft WlIh Mob 01 Outcw Panel AaMmbty AUchod lJft Panel If'! Hortl'OMlal PoIIbon Onrv � �len FooI f-.a UI ..... __ NAVY

... ...... "' SIop 01 OI c.- Croin ...... ...... - ­ --""

Jr.

170

171

Left: In tate 19019. this Grumman F8F·2 Wa5 aSSigned to NATC Patuxent River. Ma�ntenance Instructions such as TIRE PRESSUR E 1 00 POUNDS on the landing gear fairing as well as instructJons on the Mk· tZ external fue! tank are VlStbie. Below: A FJ. t �ne
SR·2f. with an effectlvcr date of January 2, t 947. expanded the Instructions for warning stripes on float planes Tho aroa of the float which was In the plane of the propeller path was to be marked With a glossy Insignia Red stripe. three Inches (7 62 em) wide extending from chine to chine. The WOld PROPELLER. reading vertically from the contor of tho dock to the chine. on both Sides, was superimposed on this stripe In gk>ssy Insignia While leners two Inches (5 08 cm) In height at sufficiently froquent inlorvals to Indicate the dangerous area. The DANGER were symbol. DANGER .. and � to be applied perpendicular 10 and centered In relallon to the word PROPELLER. One set of symbols was to bo on each side 01 the stllpe With the arroVis pointing toward It. Tho leners and arrows were 10 be glossy Insignia Red. Tho helghl of the lellers and length of Ihe arrows WOfe to be 2 Inches (5 OB cm). A warnlno line 10 Indicate lhe plano of the rotating propeller had boon required on float planes fOf years. Now. the mark· Ing was llnally required on aU muillengine aircraft on both the Interior and oxterior fuselage surfaces. These areas were to be marked WIth a glossy Insignia Red stripe three inches (7 62 em) wide extending complelely around lhe tuselage.

t72

The word PROPELLER was 10 read vertically from lOP to bollom. All dimensions and regulalions for the marking of lloats also applied 10 this marking on the fuselage. There was always the danger Of personnel walking Inlo rotallng propellers when boarding or eXiling an aifcrafl Bomb bays. hatches and olher openings within six feel ( t B2. BB cm) of the propeller disc were particularly vulnerable. Warning stripes and danger symbofs were 10 be applied to all aircraft to serve as a definitive warning regarding the proximity to this danger area On inlerior surfaces of lhe fuselage a glossy Insignia Red stripe. Ihree inches (7.62 cm) wide. was to exlend from the top cenler of the fuselage down both sides to lhe lowest point of each exit in Its open poSition. Superimposed vertically on Ihe stripe In glossy InSignia While, In lellers Iwo Inche. (5.08 cm) high. at frequent intervals would be the word PROPELLER. The symbols BEWARE

BEWARE � -

PROPELLER

PROPELLER

Right: The second North American FJ. I Bureau Number t20347. at Patuxent River in December 19017 for evaluation. weD Ult.l5trilte5 the numerous servke maMdngs that were applied to some airplanes. Beiow: The XF30· t ass.gned to the Naval Air Test Center Patuxtflt RIver late In 19019. The steps and handhOld5 to climb the fuselage for entry through the top of the cockPIt are boldly marked with a White suipt.

were 10 be applied perpendicular to the SUlpe and cenlered in retalron to lhe WOld PROPELLER. with the arrows poinl­ Ing toward the Stripe. The height of the leiters and length of the arrows were to be 2 Inches (5 08 cm) In glossy IllSIQnla Red. Though helicopters had been In use for several years. II was not until SR·2f. Amendment 3. Issued May 1 . 1948. thai speCIal marking reqUirements for helicopters were directed. These first instructions concerned the palnllng of the main rotor blades. The blades were to be paInted glossy Sea Blue. except for the lips. Glossy identification

stripes were 10 be paInted on both SIdes of the bUtdp.5 hom the top 10 2 Inches (508 em) from lhe �p Ono blad" ...... to be Instgnl8 WhIIO. the second was to be InSIgnia R+>(j, nna tho thlfd blade was 10 be Ughl Green The aleB MQ nchcs (5 08 cm) trom the �p to eight rnches (20 32 cm) trom lop on all three blades was to be painted glossy Orange Vel ill on both Sides of the bfades The arresllng hook was to be paInted w,th altornate Black and InSignia While bands 4 mches ( t o 16 cm) .....Idu 10 provldo maXImum vls1blilty The pOint of Iho hooJ.- was never palnlod

SECTION 5 MERITORIOUS RECOGNITION MARKINGS CHAPTER 5 1940·1 949 Tho uso 01 gunnory ponnanlS and Iho Navy "E" on Navy and Maflno CoIps alrcr.1I 10 show lho unlfs or IndIvidual's prOflCIOflCy with spotlhe woapon was woll-ostabllshod 001010 lho o'pansiOn lor World War II Soma 01 lhoso markings worO 8UICily conlrOilod by Navy dlrOClivos Howovor, Iho usa 01 n h shmsrk 10 doslgnato subsoquont OWLUds hos boon {1 SOUrco 01 conluston, not only 10 hlslorlons. but to thona In Novol ovlAlion os woll An ollielol roquo I lor cloflhcnliOn was linally oubmillod by a squadron 10 Iho Buroou 01 Aoronaullcs In 1940 Tho Buroou's onswar. In pori, wno' ·Spoollic nulhorny 10 woar hashmarks undor r pnlnlod on nlrcroll dOOB nOI exisl 01 Iho prOBonl limo An In Iho COBO 01 ship gunnory, Iho procllco 01 palnllng lhom 'jusl grow' NOI unlil 18S1 yoar woro spoollic Insiruclion. Issuod 101 pOlmlng hashmarks lor Ship gunnory 'E's No", rovlsion 01 Ordors lor Gunnery Exorclsos will conlaln InSlrUClions lor palnllng hashmark und r 'E's on olrcUllt "In Iho COSO In quoslion, 8 ploln 'E' Is lho propor marking lor lho a"plono whiCh quahllod In bombing, lorpodo, and machlno guns II lho noXi yoar Iho some airplane quahllos IOf lOSS than tho mrumnum numbor of awards, haShmarks undor lho IIMII iollor doslgnallng lho orm are .",Iablo lor lOCh wOlds os oro continuous lepoalars .. No such dUOCllV wOS lasuod duo to the commltmoms of World Wor II and lho olimlnaloon 01 ouch markings on Novol alrcroll Tho 1£140 Issue 01 Ordors lor Gunnory Exorclso dllOCIOd thO dlmonsK)nS 01 the -e- on olrcralt 10 00 000-""" 01 lho 610ndard lusolago marll1ngs pr08Cflbod by lho Buroau 01 AoronaUIIC8

RIghI Tho F4U· I CorA� flown by U\MONnIJg I.. C. Kept"'" 01 ....1Jng his ...._ I' , ..., Jlpo_ ftogs " Vf 1 7 "-""Il till .... Iwtrltt \1CtOriIS

. ....

. ... .. "

Bottom: One of the few squadrons to display the E for

excellence at the beglOning of WW II was vs-a 1 ilbOart1 the USS RANGER (CV-4) While on the neutralrty pa'roI.

23

The top of the cow! afthis Vought SBU·l is True Bloe. Opposite: This SBD·S of VM$B· 1 was among the PfU!IIOI!'NT1AL UNIT CITATION PENNANT

Tho conversIOn 'rom lhe brlghlly painted aircrail of Ihe

1930's to the wartime paJnung of the 1 940's aHected the Navy ·e· as well If this award was apphed [0 the aircraft It was to be k>caled f0fW8rd 01 the designated fuselage mar1
few aircraft to carry a record of bombing mlssions. Twenty-three missions In addition to the squadron Inslgnla are ShOWn on tlle fuselage.

On February 3. t943. the Secretary of the Navy issued General Order No. 187. Regulations For The Award of The Presidential Umt Citation. This directive not only specified who was authorized to wear the Citation. but also the fOfm and dimensions of the Insignia reprosentlng the Citation this InSignia was to be In the fOlm of a burgee pennant of blue. gold and scarlet. It was to be 27 units on the hoist by 57 unols on the fly. with the gold measuring t3 units on the hoist and 48 units on the fly centered between the blue above and the scarJet below. �After any Naval or Manne Corps unit is so cited on two or more separate occasions for outstanding performance in action occurring

on or after October 16. 1941. such Inslgnl8 was to become a permanent part of the unlfOfm of such unit Individual aircraft of a clled unll was authonzed to have the design of appropnate size painted in a sullable place upon the Slrcraft

destroyed was finally approved on July to. t944 by thO Commander In Chief, United States PaCIfIC Acet Tho Ta� Group or Unit Commander In convnand during the delton was responSible 'Of lhe ovalualJOO of aU such ClaIms ond could authonze the dIsplay of the appropnato InSlgnlc1

The painting of symbols on the aircraft fuselage 10 denote enemy aircraft and other targets destroyed. or miSSIOl'lS completed. was not authollzed by Navy painting Specl' flcatlOns until near Ihe end of World War II. The practJCe was not WIdespread and was condoned in the cases where it was done as a publicity gimmick. A typical symbol In red was the Japanese lIag. which was used 10 denote number of aircraft destroyed. The use of red In this marking was In violation 01 Air Force Paclflc Fleet Leller No. 12L·43. dated September 9. 1943. which prohibited tho use of red in an insignia applied to aircraft In the Pacillc Theater.

Mlnlaturo sllhouettos of nat.anal InSignia 'Of enemy craf1 destroyed In combat coukt be paInted near the pllOIS COCk pit Sllhouelles Of enemy craft destroyed could not O)(CC d 12 IncheS (30 48 cm) In length Miniature flag Instgnlll could not exceed SIX IncheS (15 24 em) maJlamurn dimension. Those Insignia were to be as follOWS

As the war in the Pacific drew to a close there appears to have been less concern for lhe restrictions on the cok>r red being applied to the exterior surface of US Naval aircraft The application of designs representing aircraft or vessels

t76

Enemy surface cralt or submarlne destroyed wore to 1>0 reprosented by • rod SIlhouette of lhe Jypo If desllod tM nationality could be indicated by a minlaturo man-of·war lIag superimposed on the Sllhoueuo. Silhouottos woro 10 be In the form 01 battleships. earners, crUlsors. dostroyors, submarines. auxIliary craft Of merchant vessels Small clalt such as barges, lighters. etc., were not crochtod os combiJI crafl Enemy olrcraft destroyed woro to be roprosenlod by a mlniOluro man-of·war lIag Hashmarks could be u"fld to

t77

Bottom VMf·2 1 4 1n 1947 painted their

.WCraf\. WIth the PreslMntli' Unit Cltatkwl.

Navy E. •nd Connlf)' Tropny P!nNnt awards. In l(klltiOn. tnt 5quaaron InSIOnla as well ., the pilOt and plant captain Nm6 were applied. Thts was the t\lll complement 01 mentQf'lou, markings that could be applied The authOr ts the Tecttnlcal sargeant on the end 01 tnt rear row

IOOICllIO rcpoillod do&lructlon 01

nomy crot! 01 Idonllcal

Iypu Similar Instluchons woro ISsuod on Soptomber 6. 1 944. In Atl nllc n 01 LOller 1 1 L·114 Tho Insignia was to consiSI 01 n a,nglo lod ""nlAluro SilhouoliO 01 IhO approvod Iypu for oach sutlnco croll or aircraft dOSltoyod Tho nationality wn 10 be Ind.calod by 8 mlnlalur enomy man-of·war ling .u""IOmpos d on IhO midship socllon of IhO Insignia Tho InsigniA IOf neh enomy aircraft deSlroyod wns 10 be a mlniAturo nomy mon·of war IIag In tho ovont tho US Noval IrCIaft w 6 doslroyod Iho Insignia could be trnnsferrod 10 n now nlrcraft 01 Iho soma squadron, plovldod Iho pilol nnd mAjorily 01 1110 CIOW s Nod In Iho n w olrClO1i Only 0llhOl'Oll08 101 dosllucllon of Iho lollowlng shlpo wo'o nulllOll/ocf

BallioshlpS Comors

Crulsors Destroyors Submarines Auxiliary cralt or morchon1 vossols Ono typo WAS to roprosont all typos Commanding Ollieors 01 squad,ons In Iho Allonllc FI I, 0' whO WOIO onachOd 10 Iho Al lonl lc Fiool 01 Iho limo of doollucllon could roquosl oulhO" 101l0n 10 dlsploy Iho Inslgnlo for dOSIrUCllons p,'O' 10 SOPI mbor I, 1 94 4 , and oflol Docomb ' 7, 104 1

Right· The RIsing Sun VlCtOfY marking was a rtpte5t'fU.iliOn of the .;ap.lntSe Naval Emlgn nrll adOpted by �1PJn In 1889 Howeom. the stze of the sun WIthin thl JaJ)ancM Na'ltl l.:ns.gn " shonUy or Iff Ulan half the dl)tlt'lCe of the nag', br I(Jth

Air Fo,co AllanllC Floal L 1101 2 1 L·44 dOlod Novombor 15. 1944. speclliod thO SilO and kx:nllon fOf lhose Insignia On Corner, Scout ObsorvoUon. nnd Obsorvahon Scout olfcroh

the InsigniA for surfoce vossols destroyed was 10 be 6 IOChOs ( 15 24 cm) In Icnglh Wllh 0 5upolOmposod 1I0g I 1/2 by 2 lochos (3 81 by 5 08 cm) For och nomy ."crafl dOSlroyed IhO mini luro lIog W08 10 bo ? by 3 lochOa (5 08 by 7 62 cm) Tho InsigniA waG to be (od oxcopt for Iho supeflmposod enomy man·oj,wAr ling which wos 10 bo IhO oppropllOlO colors Thoso fnslgnln wo,o 10 bo iOcmod on bolh Oldoo of Iho IU5010go 4 Inch a (10 10 cm) bolow Iho dgo of Iho cockpit Tho loodlng odgo 0' IhO Ino'gnln eOllld nol OXiond forwArd boyond IhO Al lO r dgo 01 IIlO Wlnd51110ld On POlloi Bomb I Iypoo 01 Allorofl Iho Inolgnlo fOI dOSlJoyod surioco voosolo woo 10 bo Inchos (n 06 cm) In longlh Wllh Ih silpolimpoood Itng ? 1/4 by 3 InchoS (5 n by 7 2 cm) FOI oneh onomy nllcrnll doolloyod Iho mlnlAturo mon·ol·wor IInO wns 10 be 3 by 4 1/2 Inchos (7 62by I I 43 cm) Thoso Inslgnlo wor 10 bo IOCOIOd on bolh aId a of Iho lusolAgO 4 lochOs ( 10 16 cm) bolow IhO IowOI malgln of Iho pllor. Sldo window IInmo ThO 10 dIng dgo ol lhO fOlSI InslgnlO COt.rI" nol o.,ond 100wnrd of IhO I odlng odgo 01 tho windShlOld ColOfs w ro It me os tor Coruor. ObservAtiOn ScOtJl. nnd SCOUI ObsorvnttOn Rlfer II ThO d Sign mosl ofl n soon on Nnvy/MnlOno Corps norcrnll during World Wnr II Wl\S II'NII Jopnnoso RI!llng Sun Uog 10 donolo n dOlitroyod olrcrnfl lhll WI'S fOthf'!r compk)x doS/gn and dllfJCll1i 10 loyOtll I hovo dov loped IhO lollowlllg dlnRrnm 10 mnko Ihls 0 s�mpk) consuUClion )Ob Regardless of rhO 51/f! roqu�rtld. IhlS proccdUlo w,1I prQdU<:o nn ",sl{lnl.1 In "'10 co.., l p,oporllOll WOOn rMdO ns atuncll, " ramlill gop mum bo loll bclWf n lho porrpho,y 01 111<1 Rm,nij Sun nd IhO 'nllOOld onds 01 IhO aun r Y6 Ur.lng 111<1 dl,lgloim aI1OWI1 101 c, Ins.onl

h'lII

n"'ng Sun flJlg

IIr61 d(tl{)1rThf'W) Iht! OOSlrOd hNOhl of 1M 1130

USIng pornl X on 1M (10.1,,1 m • II Illidpornt 01 1M 11,10 pial IhO """!Ihl on tono AR f Ibm II Iow<" pornl l"',1 plall/ld . hoo XC lind XO drnw II hof1/Qn1l11 1100 10 IIlfltr t ....'Ih Ttlfl.;.o pontu , ...poetlwlly '('I'UI .i>fll lhtl kwit'l klll and towo, IInhl cornora 01 1M of lho II�J DrIIW Ihf' U,lP{It 'tOIl/on...!

Bottom' Manln AM·' of VA "/11 abOard 'lie U55 KEARSAIlGE (CV·3J1 SIlOWlng ,lie CunnffY Trophy pennant and camp Ign "bOOn. on lhe sldO 01 lhe ."ero" The 0 war. '0 ba localOd on balh Sldos 01 lhe IU80lago. lwo IncheS (6 08 em) balOw Iho POSIlIon spaciliod 10< lhe squadron InsignIA Tho IndIvidual ribbons wore 10 be SIX 'nches ( 1 5 24 em) lOng and IWO IncheS (5 08 em) high wllh a ono .nch (2 54 em) vorllcal 8Oparallon balWoon "bOOns Tho ribbons were 10 bo In ono column, arranged from lOP 10 bonom In Iho somo order as preSCribed lor tho woarlng 01 "bOOns by POlsonnol This Ins"ucllOl1 mado no menllon 01 Gonnrai Oldor No. 187 10< lhe appllcallon 01 lhe Prosldentlal unn ClraUon and a r plica 01 Iho ubbon worn on Iho unIform, ralhor Ihan Ih burgoe pannan! Ihal was appllod to Ih olrcroll nseol yoor 1948 Is Iho flrsi lime ollar .ho war Ihal Iho Navy �C was award d 10 ovlmlon unlls. TwOlvQ Navy/Morino Corps squadrons rocolvad Iho award for ouUUandlno rocords In Iho first postwar liool ,raIning COnl061. Tho Conlosls woro basad on Ihe InlrOlypo porformance 01 oach ship 0< alleroll os a IIghllng unll In comPOllllon wllh all Olhor squad IonS 01 liS Iypo In Iho same 11001 The winning unUs woro VP·HL· I I

(VP·21)

VP·HL· 13 (VP·25) VP MS·9

(VP·49)

VP MS·7

(VP·41)

VA· 1 1A

(VA·'14)

VA·:>8

(Vk25)

VASA

(VA M)

VF·11 VF·21 VF· l 1A

(VF·l 1 I)

VMF·212 VMF·21 4

(Squadron doslgnallons In paronlhosls oro I h o now doslO' nallons allor July 20. 1948). Thoso squadlons WOIO awoldod Iho Salilo Elflcloncy pan. nanl os 0 squadron award and not Iho Gunnory Trophy ponnont os had boon Iho provlous procllco. All alrcrall In tho squadron now were aUlhorizod to corry Iho -e: Tho policy romalnod Iho same as II had baon prowar as lor as Iho lime Ihe award could bo used. ThIs was on annual award and could only bo carnod unlil Iho ISSUO tho lollowlng yoar of tho award to tho now wlnnors Ir I tho ovonl of a subsequent award, a hashmark was 10 bo placod banoalh Iho "E."

APPENDIX A RESEARCH AIRCRAFT Research olrcrall woro dovolopod for Iho US Navy or wore buill In conjuncllon wllh a Navy projoci Connoquonlly Ihoy WOlD nOI subjoci 10 normal pAlnling and marking rogulollons, Tho unusual olrcrnll shown bolow manulacllJlod by Voughl. Iho V· 1 73. nicknamed Flapjack. was Iho culmlnotlon 01 yoms 01 rosearCh and developmenl by CherlO. H Zimmer man. PalnlOd an ovorall Orongo '1\ lIow. tho noarly Circular IIl11ng surfoco wan cons!ructed of WOOd and fabuc to provIde for a hght strucluro Tho all lallplano was also Orango YollOw. whllo the two verUcal lallplanes woro pOlntOd Aluminum Two eo hp Conllnonlol engines drove two largo-dlametor wood propellers whICh carrlad tIP warning colors of blue. yollOw and rod FloPJock was flOwn succosslully 10< 131 hour. A furlher doveJopmont, tho XF5U· l , was bUill basically 10 lhe some conflgulollon bul powered by lwo 1 ,350 hp P&W A· 2O(X)·7 engines drIVIng 6O--Called "flapping" propellor blodo. FI1IOd Wllh rotractable undorcautago. tho alrcroft was undergorng tmet 10SIS on March 1 7 1947. when thO prOtoCI was tormlnalOd and lhe prolOlypo scrapped NOlO lhel tho natonal lns.gnl8 appeared twlCO on the uppor surface With liS orlOnlauon alOng .he a... 01 Ilighl

Anolher 10..81Ch ",reroll. Iho Oougloo 0 558·1 Skyslroak. shown Ahove. WHO l>llIli In conJuncllon WIth 8 &PO(:I"C lion ovolvod by Iho NOllonnl Advl8O
Coldwell. USN) wllh " .pi J �I I ' I mph ( 1041 1 7 knVh) brol
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"UU,I,.I IlfllilIUII/HItH ! KIIW 1 whith Wit"

IIV

plI,nl "''''''U lt. (;11,,/1111 hy Itlll 1 1)/11' III

IUhltffl,

1111.

wur

I"

1I1f!

PIII,IIIt,

dlllwll1U 1/1 u " hm" Wid "" I IIfHI' WillI!

III

1I111 1111l1lr.

(11111,,,,,,,,.) "'111 1 0,11 ( 1 111111" 1111) willi II",

II", '.'''1/ ,,, ,, , " " ��I II, (I�II �U) III' u'I'" ,.1 l 'UI I )lIIII) I)lHIII; WI/IIII HUI

(f

11111I11f1J1I

' Wllt" , '" If ... lutUfl1 ltv

u

1111,11,"1 "IUlltl II�IV liMit IH,'V Willi h'"II'"'

If ' II' " 1 111 Ii I W I I Will i rll" 111111 1 0,uk

OWV 'IV'" ull II" I ""A'IIIIII II. Wllh I IUhl CU'IY 1If! 1111 ktWlll .. " lUI "1I 1,tc huhHO II.,. /fUitllhU

""W'"''

,.dU"

" I II tcl "VII", "If'Ii" ''',

flll'It "lid IIHOIIt4:t I tfNhlJUIf IItUJfhtfd AIr " .. 1111 � ",hht W" t!; , mf14ul

III IIltt ul llJfl ll lflulII kIf IIhh flll III 'Ull llllfHI, " ' III",lIuIIIII m'ff lhll, " ",Ifill ",1hll " "Ihll,!! wtlll'l IltHIt! IIIUII IIt;fIIIH" (I. U

"lit, Ufl Ihu krNUf I NNIIt,.1 " I II ... "tI � �I\ Io:jlllt6 wUlff P'IJVIUh', h� 1"..1 1110' I"

t't1iV', Ih" !"MlII "1'" lfIuHu" I•..-It ' Ihtj '11111'0 hi II ( , ,, '... .I." ,IIt II " IHV :t " U¥JflnfJl "'nl n "N,",�IIII I Itu htll l l ti.

WI 1,"11'1 ,h'pkryhjl ft"'"pluU 'till"� " IIiO WA' K'''PllrIl .'

\I (At M

VI

IM,,,,II Wn

,'"I ',U..-It.H I k,glf � " ... "Ih Irf

U(jI1'fJbI

.j

'ttl WI Ilf"M' M

1 1 ••, III �Ul hi' hl!lu I II'H I 10 u UIIl " III')'I�

II.

W,4

m l lil

Willi

hili hV lilt! lIlflll IIU WltIIl WHI WII/$ lully

111111 ,11111 111111", IIIIUl llly "W'II II IIIi, wi 11111 11,"

IIIIIIU JlJU;lww l

IHl lutK'

1l1i1,'l opt'flUII-",lIlly filII 1'hVY f.lHlfhJt.lncJ

fJ" hlJt'IV "'

I fltHI" Itl Iht' IJ! "" ImUlI1I uJUly 111 With.

A,, ,,,,',,,,,, n" I /Y " """"", " 1",tlIIU willi II '"''' ' 111,,11 III I,,,"IIIIU ',IIUII IIIIIOWI"I I)y II ItIIWIII" III""IIiU '"' " m(u" II", N"vy'. I HOII Wllij

II fllllllhm ul IlItJUt.il lflbl

I nu uh,,'IU ptllllt){JllIl ih utMJW 'V ,.., �, fUIII,hllt Wfj h"",U Iw,tllltll ltl( " I"lfl IIII1IIr It It()fn II I I I JllluVllIt., In Iho tI mml All MIRaliu rUM' (" ,II1t" 1 11/1111

IlIu" ttllil1U1lti It, I I V '1 ;1

APPENDIX C BLUE ANGELS HUll VtJ{UWII Wt-itlld twit hu C Iwnl th,ltt IIltttt W.IIM)jjl "..'flhull 1,1 lltit N'I'IV Atttl l1ltl, " M"MIII "' I I I"#) IIJ I",U .. " II". j 1111 fl , ,. 'Hy,11 IM/lllnn IfI IU,II"O 'r , ltll,., - "u 1U1t.!JIofI ,,1 11 ... In IlfUIn".I, ll' "'IVIII

Pllth' ll hlllltt'

III

" ,1. I; II

Ulhll'f

IH IIII

U¥tlillOIl

,r4lhhQ

II,;, 'lit

Mill I

MIIUIl, (/lIllIomlH IIIHIV ,,,

IU4"

Ihll

APPENDIX D AIRCRAFT MODEL DESIGNATION SYSTEM

Of for a special putPDlO No filled lute ha been OICoblt5hed tor the sutllX IOtIOf SO Idontlty !he 81IQ'att Tho klIowrng suffu: Iott.". ..0 used orIy

lor IhO putpoec ICmod •

(a)

usecJ to deslgnato naval Ilferaft 0\Jr'Ing tne perIOd COIIOfed by IhIS bOO't WIl. a conlftjlll;on Of thaI OJlplalOOd W1 001011 in � I NlKOOfout &mall changos weut made 10 koop 1',.. thO ehangOt II'l naval altcloh and IhOlr paco .... nwssk)n The tablol contained In Ihis eppen(lt.( IhOW 0I'ItV !he 1en0f1 nec8saary 10 dcIYtltOp II desJgMllon lot aJlcrah thai WiIIO opmolionaJ bol"NHnJanuar; 1940 and December 31, 1949 The 'yslem

In January 1940. thOfo were In tho

I

-..

rOt .1IaCI< on .ICI'&n "'001' KA rOt UII,I U larQO! IWef.1I KO ru 'ltidI (ln gtl)Jnd !atgotJ KO FOt.uado (In � latoetJ. KS FotUWf� KU �

leu" majOr cJemOnIs

,V'tam •• I�

AMeroft TypolCllts!I

?

MooufoclurOt Typo Sequcneo

3

ManulaellJI'Of

..

Mod.liCahon

tenet No 121·45 (ACL No 12145) aaloo OclObef 17, 1945. adood thO !cum K al thO tVPO dOllgnallon lor piloll08S alteroh Noval a.,crol! now WOf8 drvldod Into IOUf dll1lncl rypctt whICh wero doitgnalOO .s fOllOws AvtalJOnC.cular

hln-M (For:ed WIng) H O .... a o H . �avI«tHhan-.1r (Rotary WInQ)

Y Ii

Nockt:s, AWcrah

K

l.JghlOHhM·a.

Z

Tho Ionor V Is omluod � tho modol dOsSgf'l8lion. bot H, K. anc:I Z alo lIIOd WhOro appliCable Tho !enOl X 6J a pre/I. oos.gnalod an oltOCfimOntal mooot AVI8IJOn ClfCUlnr LeftOf No .tJ..4(J dated MvCh 11. 1946. lOPGI'ated the Type.Qass InCO rNa dtaJnC$ hCaGIngI Of Type ana etass The lOUt lypeI WOIO furthcit' IUbCJMded Into clnssos m &CCOfClanco Wllh !hOlr ba.'c mI,eJon OB 10I1owi

ZP

" WW'<> """�

Z1

---t:iu&.1 rq.

MutOO � 'IF � .-.rT'It WCfJII � ... .. , Anld. VA DItaOry....-ny IUfI*lt Of ijlOUOCI 1M00tI S.� lDr tnemy :s Pa\tOl VP • � ClbMnoI trIO Clwta ftD vo and lNngurt.,.. S Tl� \/R IfW'llQOn WPCIMI . ""'"

"""' ...-

" ...... .-

Tt� putpOMI

YU VT VO

ZU

In dosIgMUng lhe htlt modo! 0( a class prodlJCOd by a gIVen manulaclUtOf. the 111'51 nu-nbef (I) tS In The Manulac1urcr Typo 5oqoence poaIUon, boT fa snown In Tho Moa,licatlon SoQuonco position Thus. In Tho VJ claSS. ThO U'SI utiliTy oltctOIl produced by QnJO'WTl(ln Alrcroll When a ma)or CorPOfOTIOI"I was Tno JF·I ollcrollon. 1'IOI 01 a ChalGCtQI 10 change thO model was made In tho JF·I. thO modified arrClalt bOCNne tho JF·2 The s.ocond mcxtJ/ICa\1OI"I was the JF.;J Howevef, the second utility 81f'croll bud! by O,UI'M\Ilf'I was the J2f.\ and SUCCesSIVe modrlcatlOl'lS to this Ollcrah bOcamo J2F·2. J?F.3. (ltc, II must bo I(lmomborod ThoT Tho alrcratl MO(JJlieaTIon SoQuonce Numbel � always ono dig" higher tnan the 8C1ual modlliCallOn runbe, This can be oxpanded 10 ShoW add,tiOnal ChalaetOflS(1CS as domonslIOlod betow

00II1100

""O IO � ll 'M

�. fypll

A.Q_

��� � /_� II

, wing) r tft.yler.lb.o:.l(tI,,,

'"

,

,.

f

s

'"

NIoIr IO IMoOI II, I04O In»

�.J.".

�

AoItr.tl

Uo(I.j�

�� �

�Oi�

In lOme C4sn. !\NO lemer. had been combtnoa 10 ShOW thO lyPelCla•• of The all'creh SUCh a. sa IOf Scout Bomber al In lhe SBO-6, and PB IOf Patrol Bombet a. it! the PS4Y·2 ACL No 43-46 dlfOClDd tNl only one Itner was 10 be UIed 10 deslgnale the dI.. k:w NOh mocJeI dft9\alO'l

No ChInOH wet. 10 De made In ICCOfdanc. with ACt. No 4346., the model deltgr\lltIOn of uaaft elrNdy produced Of '" ptC\lductlQn. ellcept lhat the mrJI01 lMter 01' .. OT etall a.rcrafl was 10 De cnangod 10 A Of Int alret8tt 001 In produCtIOn,

1 84

10

51KtCioi purpose SUffixos hOWl boon added Irom lime to limo 10 dosfgnato Changos which WO'O not �f'UflC3nl enough to be � 8 ITOcMlC3l1Of'1 whICh WOUld falSe !he tl"CI(MiCalJOfl IeqIJOnCO nt.mbOf unfortunalely thO sarno IOnol was 10 �to cMoronl used IfOQUentIy ChatactonSUCS C4U$IOg CQnlldcfab/.o confUSIOn over

Pallo! and fMCUO Ak lit. rescue

taw......

only IhOIO WhICh wefe 10 be ptoduced wero have lhe., OOSIgnaTIOf'I cnanood

the oos;onotlOf'l

Sutlul iellers came Into n moro goner"l 1.1116 dIXIf'Ig IhO pollod 01 rapid olCpanalOn ifMlO(llllt(lly priof to lho ontly 01 tho UnITed &810S InlO World War " At thaI trme, tho IOnc, A was commonty u5ed TO indICate a NDYy altcralt bollt tor the Almy and B served ThO tGmo PUlpose In kSonlllylf'lO CIlrcra" t lSh Early confusion OICt5lOd, bur" lor tho Br, howovef. paftiColMy WIth tho letter A AI lhO sarno limo II was uSOd 10 identIty AtrrPf altcralt, 11 al50 moan! amphibian as ,n the PBY-5A and JRF.2A, Whllo In Iho J2F.2A It moanl IhO nddlUon 01 mmnmenl, In tho TOO· IA 11 moant twin 11081 IDndll'lg gear, and In tho F4F-3A a dllloroni

COO,''' The modJflCal1Of'l of tho oarly F4U·ls was dono in 100 lleid by lho Maline Corps A8Q·2. NAS San DIego. '" orOOt 10 conllQUfe IhO I." Corsaw& to onTor combal This "old fCWOl'k contlnUOd unlll 100 prodocllon lIne was chtlnged Thls WOll not conslderod by tho Navy to be slgnlllcant enough 10 be a modilicatlon Nor was tho 101l0f A over assigned as 8 1lI1111C 10 dosIgl'I3\O lhese Changes Tho dosSgf\6tO'l F4U· IA WitS on altempt by thOse outSide tho Navy, 10 100eo 100 syslem 10 Idonllty thIS ChangO and has been CDrned on In Oftor' There rs no Navy dlfOC*NO thai 5howI this dOJ;gMIO'l However, theto was a FG· 1 A model WITh Ilxoo Wing' built 101 Shore basoo Maline Corps 1.1116

ThIs confuslon WIth &ull.x lellers Inclcased When on SOC C4rfytng the suffiX A was one Imed IOf carri8f op6fatJOnl. ond was lorlhOt � when me C came Into USO 10 indcaTO callier ad3PljQn os wolI as a numbctf 01 OCher UW'Igs AI tNt lImO. lor example. the PaM·X wal • BrrtJlh· AmerIC40 Standaloo:ed vet"" OI lho PBM·3 By 1a10 1 942 and omly 1943, IhO C In S03C·2C Indicalod a 24 VOlt olooilical systom, hydlBohc brokes. and Improved ladlO, and in Tho TBF.IC Indicated IWO 50 caJlbet wing guns The nppalenl landOm use 01 lelTerl donng IhIS 03tty war P8fQj IndICale. ih81 1hoy may have developed Irom the COI'IYeI'\Ief'C 01 abbfOYlaI.ion relhef than lrom any oIhcra.l IC'I Of dectI01 The lilsa pobIiCall()f'l of ilUfftX Ionet. and thell' 11lO8fWIOI appeared ., tho Buroau 01 AeronautiC. publrcalion 01 Model DoaJonotlOfl 01 Naval AJrCftlfr In APfll \943 AlIhOIJOh this WaJ lhe Iliac and was DtObabty inlencJOcl to sum up Int IUffIIl kttter lItuatlOn. Ie hatdly CO'Y'Offld lhe IlUbjeCI

oompIeta lC81ement was

ttl

·Sufttll 16ttot. ar. used wnota an "'DIane hal e tI"InOf rnoctrflClllOl"l of not enouon I'I'IPC)r1InC:e 10 Change !he mo(totlClllOl"l nurroot or vme.e the alfplanet have been dNetIOd 10 anomtf MMOe

LOllar 'A- lndiCalOS ol!l'IOI 8I'Il()hlblous VOI'slon or thaI thO 'oltPlooo wos boll! lor IhO Atmy Alt Force

tor Iha

Ch 7. 1,,,,7 hy ltla ......A!lhQtl 61 1t ... ClalG
17 47.

Tlansporl

loICIOf'l deIIgnatJOnS QOnIarn anotnet

OliceptlOtl lhal " conllJSlf'lg '" me usa oI lne IOMf C By otIltjol dolrnlTIOI"I C mount a call1Of'

operallng Vilfa.on Yo'hIlo Ilansootl a"craft have llawn lrom catfler dOCka. !My have I'lOl ooetatod and a. VOl l1e I'lOl eQUIPPed to opera'e Itom

(b)

Lener '0" lr'IOcales rut'pUwle was buill BIIII$h

(c)

Len." 'N" IndcaICS night Irghler YOfSlOl"i of the base ...plano

C81'flCfS .., tnt sense imC)Iled by Iha ootlOIbOn In thiS It'tSIonte. an A50·IC IS an RSO·I ueta" '" ...m.ch the R50-2 Iype OI loet system .. If'ISlaIO(t

(d)

LOllct 'R" lOdatos IhO basic: Odptano boon convorled 10 a tfanlporl

has

On September 9. 19<47 ACL 87·47 .oded an

(0)

Lelto. "PO Indlcnlos tMI IhO aJlplane hao "xed provisions IOf photOgr'aphic missbns "

Other addthon. soon &ppeOled, SUCh as F lor pallet botnbet and IIanspotl ...craft wnIch weta converted 10 flag conflQlJl'UlIOn, H lor hOIpitaI, 5 lor antilubmalll'lO pallol and E IOf spocW radar lOStulIDtlon 0tI1c1a1 designallon lagged fm bohIOd osage Norlher thO C, which by thll limo had acquired thO now moaning 01 cannon, nor thO 0 Indicating !)Vlans Cnpabkl 01 Caffying drop lanka, 810 dollned In thO d,rOC*IVOt 01 tho pofiOd YOI both wero being u5ed 10 designatO o!rClah SUCh as tho F4U·IC and F4U· l0 Use 01 tho llIt1ht F was &horUivod AVI8tion Clfcul8, Letler 86-45 01 JIJIy 27, 1945, dlsconllnUed 1\ a. wei ns use of the lenTlS 'f\ag nlrcloll, flag plano and llagshlp" in lOIOlllng 10 Ihls typo 01 modillcllllon Inllioad, it oslobhshed lho 10110' Z ond lhe term 'admlnlstlatlvo '

� by lneo "'ttl" M brIrnQ .·I'OOIOO'd " � .. me f " rypo Ol' ...er n � lhe ,*""rno lO5tl'\JdICII'II If'I N � tJI'Iot � 11'1 a.tCfaft conhgurlltlOf'l. hi .,-( to n.w. tTIIUIIe IItnIIy IdOnIhC,11OtI �em _ rnetuo.d

ACL No

ThO IOQVOfICe 01 !eliOt'S tor tnI$I"M \III," �oty ct.llorent Ihin IMI \Ntd 10 �nal. flO .. c .., l1 and wu � CIt the , """-""'"

1

Prol ,. �Of X U:oerwnenc.at � y 5eMce lost rnodr4

addlllOOOl lOltQf

o

7 ObIoW!Ie tnCXIOI

Drone conlfOl YOIsIOn

AV\ltlOf'l Crrcolat Lotter

JI).IO

2

M-048. dated ,Jl,ky 22.

1948. ago'" I1'IOdJIftd the syaom

Tho IIYe dasses

ot pq!ctss Olletafl were now fedUced 10 !he IIf'IQIo piIotlOSs dtONJ desigMllOf'I KO lor 801111 tAtoota Tho lighIoNhan.4I( lP type

PollOI and ElCOft Tho owcrah wnl mod,fled 10

n'IISlO1 was now 01' l!.IIed WI"O

n'IISSIOn

Cl a .. lOner

A (All , S A llNO tOftlf c:ornblf\llO'l Ol me '10ft 1t'I . t'l II I" I (Surface). U 1lJn
fypetener

The

1't'PO letter

M IDdiClI''''O

� IoIc ' I'..,

CIOsslOltOfS

. ln.l ,.b vft HtI telwing) r(fll l

ServICeIeItOf

4

Each bn'C daSigMtIOf'I was folio¥, Dy .a V1f'o A (AIr Force'. G (Army) " lt4.l'f. MIM aPPlOYOd IOf ;oont � U1I IfIf'tIClI iCttM' .,.,. dfOpped and the �tOfI ...., O'oced(o(J by

VF

FightOf'

IW delense and 0K0f1

Mack

<ace and ground anaek VA

Palret

/ISW leconnalSsance and VP .
lener

AN(]

ObSOlVallOl'l GlKlhlo Md AIlMe1y spon.noVO

5

...... _

llMSpQll

Air lOgilUic support

VA

Uillity

Fleel utlliTV aoPPOfI

The JMoary 1946 Issue 01 Modo! [)osjgnatiOnS

llolfWlg

BaSiC and tJeol llBtnrng

VU VT

Tho IOfVICO !ollO l WOS fOl� by n nombnt 10 1nd1C8\0 the II"oOOeI nomber' lhOle nurnbtl.. ....,'I ...wea In saooenee lOr etch I'I'IOCJ(>I

WIll

GI....

YO

e

a SUI'Ming up 01 dOveIopmcnts dutlOQ lhe Wal Howevot, II otIerod no oxplanatJon lot me C and 0 vmich wore used 80 OlClonsNety dlJl'lOO lhe war and. '" lacl. were used ., thO II'OfY UIO '" wtlCh lhe summallOf'l appealod " made several chanoos In pnS! usago. omillod lho B, and 8ddod J, K, L. Q, nnd W,

Some modeft lhat wero obIalnod Irom AI""! contracTS rOl8.ned IhO Altr'rf suffIX lOtIe, RI In tn8 case 01 tho PBJ·IC. ·10, .IG, ·IH. 'IJ whICh was tho aame allcrall as IhO 0·25 with tho I8mO IUIIllI: 1M suffllC dellOS In other cases lellOIl and onty knOwIodge 01 the lWCtaft t explanaion lolls tho moaning � on example me T8M-3l wllS a lBM,3, ·30, or .3E equlpped Wllh n 80alchbghl mounted In Iho bomb bay Theoo Pfoblems 810 .oadlty appalenl In Table 11 which glVOs IOf'I'I8 01 the rrore common sultllC IO"Ot'a ., IJSO up 10 Malch I I. 1946 Oy this trmo the � htKS assumed ptopOftlOl"lt 10 WlUranl the publica· 1I0I"l 01 8 spec"'l AVlDtiOl'l Clcutar Leller, ACL G 46, to IPOCITy the suffiIC IefIOf. thai were otIlCiaIy apprOYGd C)1ty the ktttors 1hc7Nn, and lot the PtM'. pose Slated, could bG used Those IUffIX Iotlers authorized by ACL No, 43,016 (Ond It• • upple· moots) 010 indicated by an asteriSk In TaDlO II Of course. alleteft design&11ont USrgI'IOd ptlOt 10 the lelease 01 ACL 43-46 conllOUOd 10 be UIOd In 1J)it0 of tne PlJt*:eIJOfl 01 mesa kiCl. Of J)el'haPI

boCatIIe 01 It. confLlSlOl'l IlrII eJlIIIOd. PatIJCular1y In IOn'Ie of the resutbng CU'1:lus �rOnI For • aumpHt, an R4o.6R. wNen dosignaIiOI'I appeat UJOulitly In alrcraft lislrngl during thtt porQj and

veals letTowrng, I. IIleralty a supporl/ll8nsporl veta.on 01 a Uanspot1 "'Cllft &nco .1 1I8OIPQf't ..,cran have • ·IUPPQfWanapott· million. the

deIrgn8UOn hatdly conrtrOul" much 10 Che undeftuandlng ACL 138-<16. daI8<J � 17. 190t6. del,,*, IN � .. e 'trlOlPQtl YllfIlO't of R.4O ...etatl W\ wNCh twenfy-ont If'dMduaI pauenger .... ate tI'"IIl8Ied . Sr. monIn. lItll lhat deflf1iobon w.. QUMfIt(l In ACL

In ordel' SO deCrease IhO nombOl 01 laners

10 �8Ct\IIorl and fDduc;e !no multiple use 01 a Icmer by IT'IOfa tnan one manoIac1U10t', ACL No 66-48 CWoclod thOl the manulaclurOI IOnol III thO olrc.all dos5gnatlOf'l be assigned to tOO compnny wNetl dOtJgnod tho alreta" Alretah fT\8I1UIGCllJIDd by componin othef than lne dosIgnor were 10 catry !he 00SIgI\II0'I of tne original dosJgnet The apotove
tne letter In Table III

cale len.. to lfIOoCIte the rnoo.! !oOft • IOdcaTOI Iha l.t� IT'IOdolcat.on 0 the IeC()In(j � ..on 7

Oo�ner's 101101

Thofe was

no

oos;gnet �1&1' ulOO

OH*gn8hon 01 gurdtd �

In ftl(I

""'" sySTem genet :ect OtSrgnIIlont IoUCII .11 .... e� botow k)r Ihe � II "" IJ' kI aurface wuoon

II rs I'lOl pourble 10 ptace h.8CI 001" on me perIOd lhat " spoclfro monutl\CllJI'er'l aJfCraft haVe boon In SOtv'lCO as aomo hnger on In odd jObS The dalOs In TIlI* III alo generally the limo perIOd 11"1 wtIeCh NCh manullC'IlJI'et'1 .lretatt Wit being used by navat avlabOn EnIIIH \IIIn.ct1 hIYe no dalOl indicale lhal � w.• '" ellOC1 Ior me et'Ik. perIOd CCMtfed by IJOU'nt II

The CIIanOOt anc:t adO,UDnI � It'I

ModolatrOl1lOt1Of

The tnOOeI numtJef witS lQIo.,.,-oa by • atneI

TaDIe

I •

M

I

"

... ..�

•

•

"'" ,.

rI/

WOfe made In !he ItUU'Orlled autlut 11m81'S by ACL 65·48 ACL No 65·48 authorIZed I $UIIIIC numDOI to bo added al101 Ute sunOl letter wnon an ..-craft conlrguration was rnodetntzed Wlih etf_en!

aqu.pmetII WIthOut CI\angIng ill IPtCtII I'I"fQIOt"I SUCh at lhe F3().2T2 The numet" 1 indCItH !he 1".1 contogutatron 01 thO .111 ....UI suc:ceedIfIg f'U'I'"Iefala IoIoWtng In conaec:ulNe Ofde! fer 1dd40'181 conflQUf'oona

the modo! 10 Show Ute doIIgnef''' Nt. numbIt A numeral lOlOWll'lO me $.. Ienet W'ICJCat«I me ordIt runbIf of hi 0tf9*'t; ...."., 11"1 me WN dall 'Acept tt\II k:w trle llf� c;ttllgn IN � I II (ItnIUd FOf ZNP2K 1f'ICtC:alaI � 1hIII . ' eQn'll)6t mooetOl.ltd ytrllM of the D*'< type IWIhIP

A Chanoa wa. also made If'I desjgnallOl"l 01 11gtr11l·man-arr etlft

The enuy of QUICMd ,.,...,... no """II 8Nt()n

185

TABLE I <-Denotcs in eXlstenco pttor 10 January I, 1940 -> Denotes In eXlslooce 85 01 December 31. 1949

� . .

• .r -0 •

-0 GO -0

..

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TABLE II

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TABLE III <-Denoles in exiSlOnee priof 10 January ' . 1940 Denotes In eX/Slcnce as 01 Deccmber 31. 1949

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TABLE IV

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APPENDIX E CAPTURED AIRCRAFT When Pelly Olllce. Tadayo.hl Kega 01 the Imperial Japanese Naval Air Force look 011 on Wednesday, Juno 3, 1942, to engage Amoncan forces In the Aleutian Islands, he had no Idoa thai

hiS aircraft would become the I,rst atr­ worthy example of the Zero to fall Into Alhed hand. PO Kega's Zero. a Milsublshl A6M2, serial number 4593. had made an emergency landing on a remole area 01 AkUlan Island. bUI allor touch dOVln, the Zero flipped on II's back as the main wheels engagod lho soh. marshy soil. Although tho alrcrall was nOI badly damagod, PO, Kegs's neck was broken and he died Inslanllv

When tho Zero Vias recovered AuguSI 1942 by 100 US Navy nd sI1'ppod hOmO 10 NAS NoM Is Son Diego. California. •1 was U·p.1 II (J I fhght status As pall 01 .Is tuIitO'dl()ll thO 81rcrah was painted In slar'K.l.1,(j USN coors 01 nooSpcculJf Bluo Gr,.V y., ttl surfaces upper all ovor nonspocular light Gray on .JU Iowf" surlaeos as shown 10 tho phOloqrill)h abovo

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AI

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APPENDIX G COLORS FOR US NAVAL AIRCRAFT Af'lWtlwh_ (� oj Vt�IIfJIIU I II)lp11l11lud 1/\ (11111111 how 11m vtUAA,b I,fllett' flllfllhwa AIMI numfH� flVOl\lQfl "001 Ihlt IfUH nolttr 1I1/1t.'111 :; , Itl Ittll CUlt.}'" f I)dmnl (1lnn(IR'" ti fill Tim •:OllJlt i ahflwn 111 Ihlts npptlrU lh( 111 11 u,mm IIlIll WOI*' hlMl tUUIIl III IJUII hOlwnnll ,JflfllUUY I, HJ40 I'1nr1 Duotll1ll}tH 3 1 , lUilfl IIIlli "how Illu IdlullOfu,hlp I,om nno hCllnf mll�lQr 10 iUI(,lilw Utt wml tkH'" ln 111o PHtV/lKUI vnllllt)o

nt�H

!illln ltd",' II 11\1, Itfljt�trlfWl1l 0 1 Uk!: 01 Inlll NavY (,OII)r (MI" wllllin 1tIIl ItulllM'• llli &flinn, IIlIt"h l-,ch�II'lil l'lII ffilllfl!lno fir IIUI (fllijf Ihll'" Iliunri nn Imutt 11)1') !Hili If)!! of 1111. YIlIumtt

Whull ANA HuliUlUl No H;O Wi'" lIIei Iftluod on [,)ftCumlm,

01 In"l IIltl 1:)C)f"ftIRln ttnUff)nl on t.luul I)fUlOIR t1ftti " bod

III Vuh,lHtt I WfHU .1111 In \lfI(, Dun til 1110 'I1PI(l QxpnnfllUn 01

un "IIYIII O\lIIlIlOf1, \I WII" nol pIRClionl 10 nlflkft HItl 1I10h \l1�"fIlU £11 fXXGttIUll\ fllIllUul. 'Il"uilud ThflfftlCHO, n nnw """1I wilt; ImKllJtud Ofl hlOIi (WIIIIIY tll/tli ((I It wus not 1111111 ANA Itllll"hn No 100ft tti.IOO .Iuno , 104 , Wit t l Ih.11 Ihhtitl cnt(1ho,-ud IIIHblftffl WulQ loonlM,d IlI'!" ... flH 'IIIIf,)fII, 11141 Mum.ull oumhoul 18 hawn 10 VtlIllmfl I III 1I'lud lOf Illn £HIIIV VIiI1f1 e>1 IIlla VOIUIl\ft, wl'llo Ihft Inlitl

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colom III fi lllAI IO 1IIllflil fm c rnoullnao pUlpaao" TtlHII, 8 UWI wnr ,how 10 0 olono, " Hhll' bonk 10 OIOHhV flnlHhllH 0000" W,lh Iho Inucxll,r.llo " 01 UIOB.y Soo Ill". I omoo YnUow, huo Bilin on Willow IflOIl nlRa SHCCII(ntl6r.J to IIlO wnwmu ,,�pllnBIOll ' fflIIlnod b ' 10 lIy lho snll1ll wllhlo 1110 ytUIMllOIUI "lwRy' pIn nl ln InhU)d " alnll Tho M"".ull 01/11100,. 10< 11111 1101 (onll1O\,lIou.) COlO<. W
ft(IOO( I In 411l1li 1 44 fllmo ,. no o,plRomion • 10 why alony '" llluo WAS flaalgna
161a, ul II '01 lnod II

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b 1 4 , Insu"monl lllook, w•• "nn.louod hom Oullollo 10 I 10 BIIIII"'" 167 "' IhI! '.,no limo Tilo Munsoll "uml)(),. 10' Iho glo8 y COlO<s wo.. dOlOtmlno
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COLORS FOR U,S, NAVAL AIRCRAFT - 1940 - 1 949

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1111

AIRCRAFT INDEX NodO

234 11-2

168 182 68 166 126 143 tOO 160 170 152 16, 19, 27 63 50, 51, 56 54 22. 25, 63, 89, 91 90 33, 63 24,00.97 141. 142 89 42, 43,46 48, 51. 124

Bat

Boot:/>

Gil-I JAB·4 JRB-< SNB·2H HTL· ' 80' HTL·3 HTL·4 PB·\W 800"'0 F2J\.2 Btewst(lf F2A·3 Consolidated OY·, OY·2 POY

CutllSS

Matlin

Eastern AIrcraft FM·2

PaY·3 Pay·S paY·SA POY-6A POlY·2 PB4Y· \ P84Y·2 m·2 RY·3 R5C-l Sec·3 sac·, 582C

98

sa2C·'

SB2C·IA SB2C· IC 582C-3 582t;-4 SB2C·5 $C. 1 SNC-l SOC SOC· 1 SOC·3A S03C SQ3C·3 XSB2C·I Douglas Alrcralt Co'npany AD·2 AD·3E AO·4Q

0,558·'

JO·l R30·2 R'o R40-5 A40-6R

R50 R5O-3

580 580·1 580-3 580-' seo·5 TBD-l

XFJO·'

51 47, 53, 1 13 86. 92 28,87.97 36.41, 43, 46, l ID, 123, 154 1 18 47 1 19, 120, 123 36 t35 135 149 20 69. 93

99

102 41 38 23 77 179 161 181 52. 149 164 47. 1 12 139 146 145, 1 12 147 32, 65, 104, 109 64,87,88, 165 26, 28, 64, 65, 91 67 40, 42, 5 1, 177 18,21, 26,64 173

45, 46, 1 10, 1 1 6, 1 19, 122 TBM 1()4, 107, 123 39, 1 19 TBM-te 1 14, 1 15, 121 T8M-3 138, 143 TBM·3E 143 NTBM·3E 127 TBM·3U 187 Fw 190G·3 Focko-Vlull 62, 106. 148 Frco Balloons Gooayeat Aircrall Cofporallon FG·\ '0 FG·l0 415. 48, 72, 139, 158 Grumman Aircraft engIneering Corp F3F·2 84 24, 84 F3F-3 F.F 26. 84. 65. 69. 101, 1()4, 1 06 F4F·3 68, 82. 86, 87. 94, 96, 105 F4F·4 106. 108. 1 10. 166 32 F4F-4P FSF 36, 77, 125, 129, 136, 143 F6F-3 33, 34, I()d, 108, 118, 159 F6F.3N 74 122, 123. 130. F6f·5 157, 1 83 57 F6F·5K 49, l iS, 119, F6F,5N 124 F7F·20 52 F7F·3 75, 128 F7F·3N 131 F7F·3P 55, 79, 129 147 AF1F·4N F7F·4P 167 55.79, 126, 129 FBF·I FBF·2 172 XF9F·2 60 F9f-2B ISO. 169 160 HU·16 72 JRF·5 XJR2F·' 160 J2F 2 20 J2F.2A J2F.4 84 J2F·5 63 14/15, 30, 31, TBF·l 42, 1 14 TBF·le 119 Hall PH·3 30 1 10 GH·2 Howard 125, 131 NH-l TOR·, t82 Inlclllate 101 PSO-l U>Clthood 46, 47 ?V. 1 P2'/·1 55 23 R50-3 166 TOI

AM·l JM·' JAM·, PaM·, PBM·3 PB2M·' P3M·2 P4M-' PSM Messerschmf11 262 A- 18 FH·' McDonnell

180 4 1 , 43, 49. 76 1 12 22 44, 127 20. 93

99

171 112. 152 168 56, 1 40, 1 4 1 , 153, 160 t87

Mltsublahl A6M 2 Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3 Nonflgid AirShips K ShJp

20. 53 66, 74, 125, 155, 165 65 95

L Ship TC TG· 14 North American FJ·\

56, 57, 78, 143, 172. 173 41 48 23, 49, 69, 97 88, 91, 124 49, 96 104, 109 105, 144. 148 16, 1 7 , 9 1 146 '8

PBJ PBJ·IJ

SNJ

SNJ·2 SNJ·3 SNJ·4 SNJ·5 Northrop BR·I HAP· ! Piaseki AE·l "pe, Prall & Aeed LNE·I Republic lTV·N-2 Ayan AcrOl'lautical FR·I HNS·' Sikorsky H03S· 1 JRS·I NS-l Slealman N2S-4 VMF-21 4 Porsonnel F4U·1 Voughl

LIGHT GREEN so3

OLIVE DRAB 504

MAROON 510

LIGHT GRAY 602

SEA GRAY 603

BLACK 604

SEMI-GLOSS SEA BLUE 606

NON·SPECULAR SEA BLUE

INTERMEDIATE BLUE 608

". ... ., ' \

INSIGNIA WHITE 60 1

"

183 76 50 54, 81 21 t03 1 10 160 33, 7 1 , 72, 107, 1 1 1, 162, 163, 176, 177 34. 37, 109, 1 17, 124, 126, 143, 161 73, 134, 136, 137, 156, 178 132 103, 1 13 20,25 35, !02, 103 92 61, 176 6, 16, 24.26 17, 3 1 . 6 1 , 95, 103 94 161 29

F4U·1O

F4U·4 F4U·5

0S2U

OS2U·l OS2U·3 03U·3 SBU·l SB2U· l SB2U·2

Vo!IOO

Twenty·six of the color chips shown below and on the next page ate precise duplicatIOnS of odglnaJ U S Navy siandards. Both hue and suriace IInlsh lollow lhe original slandards ISSUed In May 1943 and March 1945 Tho three Blue Gray paint chips with footnotes are nonstandard colors and correspond to fOOtnotes In the Chatt found on pages 190·191 01 volume Iwo. A few ol lhe listed colors were used by lhe Brtllsh RAF and Royal Navy Those include Azur 81ue 609. Middle Stone 615 and Dark Earlh 617. Add,llonally. colors Sand 616 and Glossy Sea 8100 623 may have been intended for British use. The application and general usage of all these colors Is descnbed In THE OFFICIAL MONOGRAM US NAVY & MARINE CORPS AIRCRAFT COLOR GUIDE. VOLUME 2. 1940-1949 Tho application and general use of many of the colors Is also relevant to subsequent volumes In this senes

582U·3 V·173 sm· 1

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PHOTOGRAPH CREDITS

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SKY 610

INTERIOR GREEN 611

MEDIUM GREEN 612

OUVE DRAB &13

193

ORANGE YEUOW 51.

MIDDLE STONE 515

SAND 515

DULL RED 818

INSIGNIA RED 619

LIGHT GULL GRAY 620

JET 822

GLOSSY SEA BLUE 623

8LUE GRAY'

3,(3'/ ...

BLUE QRAY'

BLUE.QRAY'

1900