Some very odd markings!

[bobolex]

Is it not ferrying aircrafts back to San Diego ? I mean, are these not aircraft in need of servicing or being retired ? A number of them (F6F in front, row after the neatly aligned Avengers) have no engines, the F4F are (older) F4F-3 without folding wings, and it's a motley array of types, including the SNJ in the back.
Could this (if correct) explain the odd decorations ?

 

[stug3]

Talk about a mishmash.

 

[Capt. Vick]

That hurts my eyes

 

[GrauGeist]

That hurts my eyes

Not me!

Not only is the image filled with the best-ever U.S. insignia, but it's also pure SBD p0rn!

 

[SaparotRob]

Best. Roundel. Ever.

 

[OldGeezer]

The highest-resolution photo I've been able to find is from the National Archives. Is this any better than what's already been posted? https://www.navsource.org/archives/03/0305602.jpg

 

[OldGeezer]

And this is just absolutely amazing: https://www.navsource.org/archives/03/0305604.pdf

 

[fubar57]

Double star on the port wing

 

[OldGeezer]

Lots of unusual deck cargo photos once you start looking for them...

 

[SaparotRob]

I knew P-38s could operate off carriers.

 

[R Leonard]

Umm, IMHO the F4Fs shown, and one might note that their wings are not folded, are F4F-3's, this you can tell by looking carefully for the pitot tube slightly more than half way out the leading edge of the left wing. An F4F-4 or any of the FMs you would not be able to see the pitot tube from the overhead angle as it would be under the tip of the left wing - they moved it there so you could fold the wings. If I were to guess, since these are headed back stateside circa 1943, the F4F-3s we see are actually F4F-3Ps formerly of VMO-251 based at Espiritu Santo, the only F4F-3 types in theater. Also note the black blotches where 251 affixed their rather garish squadron insignia. And, no, not fixed winged F4F-7's, wingspan too short.

 

[XBe02Drvr]

I knew P-38s could operate off carriers.

...and that they had "switchblade" wings that retracted into the center section.

 

[fubar57]

Short launch on the PBY carrier.....oh wait

File:USS Thetis Bay CVE-90 1944NAN4-75.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

 

[XBe02Drvr]

Short launch on the PBY carrier.....oh wait

File:USS Thetis Bay CVE-90 1944NAN4-75.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

"Jest takin" out da trash!"

 

[GrauGeist]

I knew P-38s could operate off carriers.

Bet you didn't know they had their own personal carriers, did you?

 

[XBe02Drvr]

Bet you didn't know they had their own personal carriers, did you?

View attachment 654776

Hey an honest to goodness Rhino Raft! A fellow on the staff of my middle school rode ashore on one of those on D Day. He barely got off the beachhead before being taken prisoner along with all surviving members of his company. Because he had a German sounding name, he was sent to a special camp for German-American POWs and subjected to intense brainwashing.