United States Aircraft Markings

[fubar57]

Hey Bill N4521U Outta camp tonight and I'll go through the books. Are you an aircraft specific or just in general?

 

[GrauGeist]

U.S. Navy aircraft had a blue anchor insignia between 1916 and 1917.

After that (1917 onwards), they used the same insignia as Army aircraft.

 

[N4521U]

Hey Bill N4521U Outta camp tonight and I'll go through the books. Are you an aircraft specific or just in general?

I am trying to establish what Letters and Numbers were used by both USN ans USAAF with 45 degree corners, WWII.
I am suspecting they were the same. I have found the ratio, specific to B-17 serials, of 15" height, 10" wide, 2-1/2" stroke.
I want to make sure this is correct for both services. The diagrams posted here have been Modern versions, jets, helos etc.
There are differences in shapes from Fonts available to diagrams I have found. Heated discussions all over the web.
If I could find official documents that would be fan-tas-tic!!!!
Thanks for the offer, much appreciated.

 

[Wurger]

As memo serves at the beginning of the war the US lettering and numbering was of the 12" of the"block style" (edges canted 45°). The national insignia on the fuselage between trailing edge of the wing and leading edge of the horizontal stabiliser, size 24 inches. The serial number on the fin, model designation centered on the rudder in the same hight as the serial with lettering 1 inch.
In Autumn 1942 introduced the numbering determined by the squadron, numbers of white , size variable.

 

[Snautzer01]

Official U.S. ARMY AIR CORPS 8x10 GLOSSY PHOTO of SQUADRON INSIGNIAS | eBay

A fine addition to your collection. Good luck.

www.ebay.com

 

[Wurger]

 

[GrauGeist]

Some of those USAAC units were stationed at Pearl Harbor on 7 December, too.

 

[Maxrobot1]

You know, I was thinking. I could not recall seeing a photo of a Douglas A-20 in bare metal finish. Did any leave the production line in "silver" finish?

 

[GrauGeist]

You know, I was thinking. I could not recall seeing a photo of a Douglas A-20 in bare metal finish. Did any leave the production line in "silver" finish?

The only one I have seen that was unpainted from the factory, was A-20 (no suffix) s/n 39-735.
It was technically a DB-7 that was being used to test upgrades for production and they even tested a turbo-supercharger setup on it's engines.

 

[fubar57]

The French had a pre-war one too which I believe was also a DB-7. I'll have to find that book

 

[mjfur]

You know, I was thinking. I could not recall seeing a photo of a Douglas A-20 in bare metal finish. Did any leave the production line in "silver" finish?

 

[Maxrobot1]

Thanks guys!
I was wondering if the production line was winding down in late '43 early '44 when the paint finish was being discontinued on other types.
I know that Stateside assigned aircraft did not require OD paint earlier.

 

[cvairwerks]

What's the story behind that 1st photo, mjfur? AT-21, XP-77 and the others gathered together. Had to be taken well after mid 1944 but before the summer of 1945.

 

[mjfur]

What's the story behind that 1st photo, mjfur? AT-21, XP-77 and the others gathered together. Had to be taken well after mid 1944 but before the summer of 1945.

IDK? It just happened to be photo #5 here, 70th Anniversary of Hunter Army Airfield: The History of Hunter Army Airfield

Looks to be 41-2978.

https://api.army.mil/e2/c/-images/2010/05/13/73445/army.mil-73445-2010-05-13-160556.jpg