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 hlslOn 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. Squar 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 '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 bclandS. "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


All hali/onlni nlrloll out/nooo viowoti ftl lllPull1i itorn IltIlow WIllO IInlOl1nd In 1Ir 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.

I

""'''O"U �I"QU" 1111'0111"

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

...... "'" IJI-I

(U." f}t

I

", , ..,.- , ,

1 1'811

, .

,.". , , ,

.l'f1llO -'ltclt...O u,"'"

:� :::::�

,"'. .. ,.... ..- �. !l3l IGem) I� ,.... 60' (,'7C;G cm) 10'(1' - .&(I' ( 1 1 & &i cm) 14' ,.... .&r, ( l I O &t eml 16' ...... 4fr (101 00em) ... ,- M)" ( I O I CIO O'fl) "' 1fT - 111 (IOItX)cm) ... '- .,. (101 00 om) ,y '- !II' lIltlGem, 1fT '- &t' (l311Gcml 00'

I1'IO'cm) IX!06(ltm) "

(I'NJ01cm) ,. ('8100cml 3/"

!,OObOcm) (IOO12c:m) ( 1 0& 1 ' em) ( 1?I 91 cm l ( IOI) " cml

5'

? 1fT � ? 1fT

7 1fT

l ':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.

-

FZA·I. ·,. ·3

--f4F 3 ·JA fJF.·I. 2.·3 � 1 ·2.·3.

g

,

0$2V·1 ·2. 3

PBY·I. ·7.·3

P91V

S8().1. ·'. 3

S8C-3. ..

S82V-1. ., ·3

·3

soc:;.. l . ·2.

TBI).,

.lIIoo.

�

'-

'''''''..... '.....

�

63' 1t1 1t1

(1&S IOan) C 16042 c:rn)

W

(15240cm) ( 1 1 6 &4 cm)

...

...

fH or .... .. ... ,�

(Inman) (In lOan)

(11526cm) (HO ISan) (16164cm) (16510an)

{2OIJ 28 cm) (19812cm)

1842

Frorn llp of wtng �

'" ...

56' ST

(14986an) CI2192c:rn)

FJF·I. ·2.-3

... (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)

,.. ,..

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� IglIgn�

Btlow: The three-tone

camouflage together with the new national aircraft ImJgnia

presented a very harmon6ous

balance betw'een the aesthetJc and the fUnctional, MiISIlIcm)

Irr ( I ncn'l) 11' 121 04cm11l0'0l 1OO oI

151Icm)

'f1' (,27",,) 1211!r l101tcmllrom lOO oIwrllUlllon

15 11 Ct1'1)

IU l cml (5 11 eml

....... ..

"". , ,

•

I ' Q OtI'

, .,..

15110'1'11

1fT II"CI'!O, e

,!�e.!,

,,,,) 1oI7OIcml",,",

lOP or � ... '17' C'"t:f01I 17 '17 tU45C1"'1rO'n II:IO��"" lOPot-'alIrn

� ...... .. ,""(:1111"" IOCI tuOOII r--o- Ulroq

II "eml 13117'

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.

'f1' ( I " cm) 1!>' 161 60em)1rO'n1OP

. ...... ...

1(2' 11 21emJ I I In- 1�21cmllro'n lOO oI�Wt 'f1' 1 I l1Ct1'11 ' 1 1/.' (21,61 ""llIcm ICp d � 1in

•

(1Qcml

" "-

t 6 1 1 (J1'1)

1fT ''''em) 15' ,)II 'Ocm)1rcm1CiC)

,

1'61 ",,)

" ,.-

l�lIcm'

l" II 71 et"I 31'I" I06l"S",,) �

. ....... ..

1OO 00 ....wcaI .....

..�.ogedlon

1 ,,.' ,lI1C1t1)1rO'n

Vp·I I - Blue VP·12 - Red VP-14 - Green

(Double Sirlpe) (Double Slflpe) (Double Stripe)

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)

VP·31 - Green VP·32 - Red

(Single Siripe) (Single SlrIpe)

VP·41 - Blue VP·42 - Red VP-43 - Vellow VP-44 - Black

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

VP·51 - Vellow VP·53 - Red

(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'gnmr 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 00 IOolllod u. 10 lOll onilloly within /I IIOlid Ill! bl Ok In

tiM)

coiQI In6111114lClhud 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

111

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 _ ...."�'''''' ''''''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 mar1c1.,' (III

71�:O�------�--I--

-------L---�I��1

nloin

AI

fI Nil .'ll lnllllhn.-t ,." III�"I.I

I!IJlY.ill HI\! 1.\.hwIIIW 'hi I"," .! h ! I "'11::�:1' �:'t':I:n:u',�"t:i;�:uf'lf "1�: �";:!.

't'h1l41 kltlllU� ..Unfl .y�,..tn II'iUlw.:' It� "_, I In � I l ' Wt ;: hi jlllWfll' IIH1 N.'litl NI I IIttf l'IIIU'."l I It l ttl.. l ' I .. l l 1}4)I IIlIll Illf,lhl AI I Iilhhlf1 I1IIiW� ItllI II jlfllhl( ,ll IlIlt 1 \11111411 NllltllKlI W,., till lit 1 IIIIIIIIItU IHlhl Ililt IIIItllllhHI fill �lf C lMI IU'IIIIIV

� � !�����:�i� �: : �J"�t�I �I�,tU',t;:..1

r:!�:� � N',�'t':���I�t"�\'���IIt4f:JtI��� :i:ni- ��II!r � j�:it �,','�" '"��-:;\7! �,�:��1fI 'Uifd'ltIlI IM Wlllf,I Ifl Ap,1I I I , I���:�:������ ,\��: �: 1�!����'�'I,"4�dl::,u

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IIII' 111�,*IVtt

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Will lit 1111 hll. lllf'ttl 011 hulll alth" HI lilt!

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11111 lilii. I

hllHl'VA

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hlUlfl Imlwl Wjl" 1" llIt " IUt",,11 uti II," un"u I Ihl IIml l" I 11MIII. htll I,ul UVUIIiIP, 11m UIt,tWIII! hurclm III IIUI IIvtuH Itln hili" hUl l "" IHul t It In WItt I' nllllllud lUI !flu Il'ttlllilhll ul II", hh,'1 lau"lilf lIlIIIHUlll jlf1tJ 11111 flilllC 'II"'1

11111 Ilih 1l11i1H" lil 1'\(1

f

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1 141( Ililtt l lnl Itt II it hUI, lm, t1� 11 11 IUnl lklfll1 ftlmhlHI WI III Ihll III 111111U" Ilttl'U'lIn WI.Ia It1tIUIII' 'tflwl1Itl at lillI InrI.",

W'"U It� In Itl" III( II (WI tN)

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f.I Ihf! hlill uf flI1U,-II IIV,IIU htmll, it Itl

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A Imw 1I1t-thuhlll w�" e.tlttwfl !llf II .It H" ",,"vlttl lIulII 1111 ilil

I hlt

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11111 WIfIllI (II IIIU 1Ill llvlthlttl lllfl)kll. fUfllllllQ Ihl) Inll'"'' Oil ,1.n1ll1lV II,

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' " IUIII I 14 II '''111f1l1 • fillllf1uud III Ihn ,.HIn fit II "YIIIIIIUHtt ItI "rulli ' tlllll Itltl ",.lIln ,I" ""IUIIIII Willi..

lilli' WIlIU II) t" ktd ' (If! ) I III) IIIHl lhll tJl:'"M,I,,' I � Ihl f III III Itt Un I • (IHI �i;,J I "I) I �I " pi WhIff'. II" dlll"III��hfl' III 1t,'1 I'll wil hfli l lft",,,! !tll ,i,", n' ¥It ," Ihhl IIti WUllid ht "teOflOl"". III " " 1 ,1 .,n Ihu "., 1 ml� llhllti

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till I ,"11 wnlllli liln

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A IIvlty

ymbOI

NAil Juukuulwiliu

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IIUl

II fthlH

OlOOk

Of Numbtr.

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1 1 111

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Mi l

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M

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IUv�1

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VI , A l i i H J

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III Iltitii r.tHIIII"" IU Ihll IlIlhlt whllll lnllllllttlfllHU lln

III) huluw Ihlf III1It fli Ihu I Ht,kpll tlUI, til 1:1)1 kpl! 11111 111111

I

1/4MIt

NAU

UI

' IIUUIIU luIlIUU

IIA' WhlUlIU I lulU

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11111 . 1 1

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all!1

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lU I

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!/OI

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lie

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401

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10 1

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101

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�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"'"

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__ __ __ __ _ _

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

MIl1 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(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 mar1r 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 prQdUfll 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
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 li'3 - 1N

UM1 · 1!MJ

1943· 19-'5 '942-:. ,... . .>

,.

,... ,... '...

>

TABLE IV

0

Sld:IlIIUm: "

W

.

186

S;;:;8nC""'M .... Oi*�� N """,, _ MCIIQIlg

a.. � � .,.., t.Wch '1. 1946 ��"""�byAQ."o G6-48

�

..Er.amoIo... """ ""

nF·211

pg.,w

=::J

\.

b

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

...... NM IlIIv1""" ij'..n f\I'ltM'IA NA fl AlIlwlal1l1 nnllo,,"1 .Imroll

"'IMn .'IO,alr Irnll l

allOv"

M••a",a

AI

1M

10

a",,,,,IIooa

fl.?

O�lQV.

rlolli

188

Til.

('Pflllnd

willi

II'

anOlnoR

AGUvilv

NAfJ Allll{JWl n W I NARAt060u

NowlDuf'KII/tOO

No IHiar "" 11'1 lp""llIO(J whon Iho68 lao,IIII.' .Ioppod 0000 IAbriC WOIk II C mo .')01.11 . lho rypea 01 I,crall •• chanood and 1M Polno WOIkOd 00 I lho VAl""" bas '/lqUil mOllI lOf roblle WOIk dOC,•• nd oWIY1IV � n... M Uwc..,WfWJn4 , AOT 1&41 Api 16, 1t).4.e NAS ,_ I NAS "'-'-"w Itl A& . N,b ,�,.,. RA.. ANA An ,114

Alit Ih. , �, Alit 10 '0',

Mat o;t

11)41

CtlN

Doc 06. 1I1.� Bop ?II IIIIl.0l' 1 04 1111

U)(Jtll

In,,'1 I ((UII

1 1Mb �I>QfII .III"� PYIJ1 �.tlt1 � "" I._.I ..ttJ l""" (tut�II"HlrJ Itt 11. tlll"�J' IkJrJO.'u (Jt ' .....,.....fR

"' H II " IIJr.

,. ";11 1

WI"

' W I UNh

1/17 111 1

1101 ,.,. ..... I'"

hll.l III \ hl.'lJ

,10;/ ,"" ""

Ill '"'' 'N,. ", liIl J il l b

UfJ.,..clOMtll

.. U...,. ...... ,,�, ""'1"" I II'OO �' ..ltfHIMf.J,tv, W,IINt Pf......toQfl ol tt

" Ih.ac.ok1f tllljl ,*,lt kw,ltj lin

lh11 MUf .( numh.� ",,1

1 10/\

1411

'"''

I'''''

8 JV O l I � b

"" """ ,.,., 600 "" fA>! I•• " '"" "" bl i MU Mb 0" ''''''

1 1 1 t1

'"'"

O .l111 ;l f'I1l 1 04 if1' " tltirJ 4',

ANA 8�' ..lln 'J1I1"

b 14 ij'. .,.

111"

,, 'P U l 41/1 t.f)

Uf'tt ? IMJ I

1I�"lld W!II\. I� (� ..Y'

In,·.

""""

,UI ,.. IIJ

h 'tf>U b ,lIiI'\ lI'I I lIltt .I U...IO 0'1 I U l b .lll/ll b .. "'I)(IV 1 0tII0 :l1 � ..OYh lll,ub

1

TI10

111041'1 II/fl/lllb

o

N,#tltlkHl

If WI

� JtH fl h'" ) ti

II if1 1 1 1r.lh b ;1 , 4 Itt/IO h!! OhV I I hl l l 0 n 10 ·1 tim H� ' OY J hll l � I :KlY '" ftv'lfi

C),..., IJt6t,

10;01'

O l;!III ' '''./041)

t' 04111 ? M).() 4

Inlitfrilltflhlltt fl,,*

I�I

UHO

� 1II 1 11�l lh

Int'lJfliClthood 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

607

PHOTOGRAPH CREDITS

=�

-­ .-- .... .

::\7 :::-..:: ._­ .. . .

- '-' - "

... -

... - � -

"" , ,,,,

,

-

_ .... -

1' 3 1 ). ....... -_ ... , " ' _ «If - - -

,

� _ m_D J'I :t:II .t.�_ �_ """"' _c-wt .,.p,o.,JW.." '. " . 1C'I __ XM."l arll' _�_.·._

��::'Wl-_'"-'IIQOot ....

- -

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

� _ " _ _ I'M. '_ _ __ . ..... ..1• •"" _ .,.· _ .,.:t ll. *" tto .... ._ ...... _ ,., _ rw •., ...." ,.. UIII I,...III.I.. U_ " _ _ _ � ' _ .. ..c. _

I 2

::;=:..r : .......

--

_ ... , ,.. "U ,," . .,.... I� • ,"'1 ,,,, '"'

,.r m

=,��,:r:.:.':r.,�b�= ..

:=--II,;,:\T.;�',��'-.:'

_ .. ," ,,,,,,, ,IW. ... .I&. Ilf ,, ,,,, ....., ... .,. _ _ '_11" ." ...,. ,..., .. -. ,,.. - -

,

,

,

.- r- -no.o _ .. ..., _ ,.. __ _ """ '_ tnIl .,.,. '... ...... , .. �

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