What determined the size of wing roundels on USAAF planes?

[Tryc]

Hi everyone,
I'm curious what were the factors causing the variety in wing-roundel sizes on USAAF fighters, I've attached two images, on one the underwing roundel clearly goes over the flap, while the other is much smaller. Since the latter appears to be in the Pacific, and likely later in the war (based on the bomb message), is that the reason? Were the roundel sizes changed, or is it more a variation in those who painted them on?
Thanks
Tryc

 

[Dana Bell]

Hi Tryc,

At the beginning of the War the AAF insignia were layed out as a percentage of the chord of the wing measured through the center of the star. Diameters could be measured in 32nds of an inch. By mid-war the standards had been revised to multiples of five inches or six inches (depending on the spec).

During the war there were several issues of mistaken identification - blue-on-blue (heartaches on heartaches) attacks. Local commands ordered increased insignia sizes in reaction. The P-47 had this problem in the ETO, with the underwing markings enlarged and an extra insignia added to alert AAA. Everything had the problem in the early days of the Pacific war.

Cheers,



Dana

 

[pbehn]

For such a simple thing, aircraft markings have a fantastically complicated history.