USN WWII Tail Codes (Geometric Shapes) - Aircraft of World War II

CliffyB · 08-11-2008, 01:20 AM

Hey guys, I am trying to find a list, chart, etc... of the geometric shape tail codes USN aircraft carried in the middle of the war. I've poured over countless photos and have only able to find out a few of the symbols and no definitive list anywhere. Any help will be appreciated and I apologize if the answer is already on this site but I tried searching before I posted this and no luck. Thanks in advance!

syscom3 · 08-11-2008, 03:05 AM

I think some of the books put out by "squadron/signal" publications have it.

Wurger · 08-12-2008, 05:37 PM

I have seen something like this somewhere.If I recall it myself I can upload it.

Lucky13 · 08-12-2008, 06:07 PM

Like USS Bunker Hill's CV-17 Arrow etc....?

Micdrow · 08-12-2008, 08:42 PM

Im not exactly sure where I found this. Quality is not the best but maybe it will help.

CliffyB · 08-12-2008, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micdrow

Im not exactly sure where I found this. Quality is not the best but maybe it will help.

YES!!!! You're awesome! If you can remember where you found that you'll be even more awesome.

The only ones missing are the carriers that were sunk or weren't in the Pacific. If anyone has their codes (providing they had any) feel free to add it to the list.

CV-2,4,5,7,8,37
CVL-23

Thanks again guys!!!

Lucky13 · 08-12-2008, 10:28 PM

I don't think that USS Lexington, Ranger, Yorktown, Wasp and Hornet had these "G" symbols as they were sunk before they come into use...

CliffyB · 08-12-2008, 11:15 PM

Gotcha, wasn't sure exactly when the "G" symbols came into use.

Lucky13 · 08-13-2008, 01:17 AM

I'm not sure either mate, my guess is sometime during '44.

otftch · 08-13-2008, 03:24 AM

I don't know if this will help."Color Schemes and Markings U.S.Navy Aircraft 1911-1950.Author is BillC Kilgrain.Book is 8"X5" and paperbound.I've had it for years so I can't tell you where I got it.There is no ISBN number,only printed in Canada.It has all tail codes and the wing markings (geometric to go with them) along with the escort carrier markings,and many photos.
Ed

Lucky13 · 08-13-2008, 08:49 AM

This one? Which you can buy on CD now on ebay for $12.95....

Color Schemes and Markings U.S. Navy Aircraft 1911-1950 - eBay (item 140153933739 end time Aug-27-08 08:22:16 PDT)

CliffyB · 08-18-2008, 11:06 PM

Thanks for all the help guys. I scooped up Squadron's "USN Colors and Camo '41-'45" and it's in the mail right now. I'll look around for the 1911-1950 book and grab a copy of it as well when I can. I'm doing research for a for some drawings/paintings and you've made my life a lot easier, thanks again!

CliffyB · 08-30-2008, 07:46 PM

For future reference guys, I was able to find out that the "G Codes" were in use from January until August of 1945. In August they transitioned to the Letter Codes.

R Leonard · 08-30-2008, 10:17 PM

Specifically, ComAirPac ordered the G codes for each CV and CVL to be effective 27 January 1944. These were to replace designs used by some, but not all, embarked air groups. The G codes were replaced by letters, either single or double depending on the CV or CVL, effective 28 July 1945.

CliffyB · 09-01-2008, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R Leonard

Specifically, ComAirPac ordered the G codes for each CV and CVL to be effective 27 January 1944. These were to replace designs used by some, but not all, embarked air groups. The G codes were replaced by letters, either single or double depending on the CV or CVL, effective 28 July 1945.

I stand corrected, thanks for the info man.

08-11-2008, 01:20 AM	#1
CliffyB Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 19	USN WWII Tail Codes (Geometric Shapes) Hey guys, I am trying to find a list, chart, etc... of the geometric shape tail codes USN aircraft carried in the middle of the war. I've poured over countless photos and have only able to find out a few of the symbols and no definitive list anywhere. Any help will be appreciated and I apologize if the answer is already on this site but I tried searching before I posted this and no luck. Thanks in advance!

08-11-2008, 03:05 AM	#2
syscom3 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 10,283	I think some of the books put out by "squadron/signal" publications have it. __________________ "Pilot to copilot..... what are those mountain goats doing up here in the clouds?"

08-12-2008, 05:37 PM	#3
Wurger Siggy Master Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Poland Posts: 13,972	I have seen something like this somewhere.If I recall it myself I can upload it. __________________

08-12-2008, 06:07 PM	#4
Lucky13 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: A Swede living in Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 15,144	Like USS Bunker Hill's CV-17 Arrow etc....? __________________ JAN "Felicis Tredecim" "I´m going back to the front to relax" "THE BLACK CATS FLIES TONIGHT" "Find your enemy and shoot him down - everything else is unimportant!" "When you're out of F-8's... You're out of fighters!"

08-12-2008, 10:28 PM	#7
Lucky13 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: A Swede living in Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 15,144	I don't think that USS Lexington, Ranger, Yorktown, Wasp and Hornet had these "G" symbols as they were sunk before they come into use... __________________ JAN "Felicis Tredecim" "I´m going back to the front to relax" "THE BLACK CATS FLIES TONIGHT" "Find your enemy and shoot him down - everything else is unimportant!" "When you're out of F-8's... You're out of fighters!"

08-12-2008, 11:15 PM	#8
CliffyB Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 19	Gotcha, wasn't sure exactly when the "G" symbols came into use.

08-13-2008, 01:17 AM	#9
Lucky13 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: A Swede living in Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 15,144	I'm not sure either mate, my guess is sometime during '44. __________________ JAN "Felicis Tredecim" "I´m going back to the front to relax" "THE BLACK CATS FLIES TONIGHT" "Find your enemy and shoot him down - everything else is unimportant!" "When you're out of F-8's... You're out of fighters!"

08-13-2008, 03:24 AM	#10
otftch Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ocala Florida USA Posts: 263	I don't know if this will help."Color Schemes and Markings U.S.Navy Aircraft 1911-1950.Author is BillC Kilgrain.Book is 8"X5" and paperbound.I've had it for years so I can't tell you where I got it.There is no ISBN number,only printed in Canada.It has all tail codes and the wing markings (geometric to go with them) along with the escort carrier markings,and many photos. Ed

08-13-2008, 08:49 AM	#11
Lucky13 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: A Swede living in Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 15,144	This one? Which you can buy on CD now on ebay for $12.95.... Color Schemes and Markings U.S. Navy Aircraft 1911-1950 - eBay (item 140153933739 end time Aug-27-08 08:22:16 PDT) __________________ JAN "Felicis Tredecim" "I´m going back to the front to relax" "THE BLACK CATS FLIES TONIGHT" "Find your enemy and shoot him down - everything else is unimportant!" "When you're out of F-8's... You're out of fighters!"

08-18-2008, 11:06 PM	#12
CliffyB Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 19	Thanks for all the help guys. I scooped up Squadron's "USN Colors and Camo '41-'45" and it's in the mail right now. I'll look around for the 1911-1950 book and grab a copy of it as well when I can. I'm doing research for a for some drawings/paintings and you've made my life a lot easier, thanks again!

08-30-2008, 07:46 PM	#13
CliffyB Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 19	For future reference guys, I was able to find out that the "G Codes" were in use from January until August of 1945. In August they transitioned to the Letter Codes.

08-30-2008, 10:17 PM	#14
R Leonard Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 490	Specifically, ComAirPac ordered the G codes for each CV and CVL to be effective 27 January 1944. These were to replace designs used by some, but not all, embarked air groups. The G codes were replaced by letters, either single or double depending on the CV or CVL, effective 28 July 1945. __________________ hmmm ... I wonder what this switch does ...

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode