Does anyone have...

Catch22 · 10-11-2008, 07:50 PM

A list of the RN Carrier Tail codes for their aircraft during the Pacific Fleet days?

I'm trying to figure out if I can get away with using F on the tail of my Corsair, and I can only find the odd code, like X is Formidable and A is Vengeance.

Thanks!

Catch22 · 10-11-2008, 08:09 PM

And one other question. Did the FAA paint over some of their tri-coloured Corsairs with the overall DSB? Because I'm looking at Hammy Gray's F4U, and it has neither the rocket pylons, nor the drop tank/bomb mounts on the bottom. At least judging by this picture:

ThunderThud · 10-11-2008, 09:50 PM

not too sure but try these links!They might help ya!

Naval Air Squadrons Index of the Fleet Air Arm Archive 1939-1945
Royal Canadian Navy Aircraft Carriers - World Naval Ships Forums

Catch22 · 10-11-2008, 10:17 PM

Thanks TT, but I searched them and found nothing that pertains to my search.

109ROAMING · 10-12-2008, 12:50 AM

Sorry Catch,can't help you.But nice pic!

Catch22 · 10-12-2008, 07:36 PM

Figured out the answer to my own question, the second one that is. They did have some -1As in overall DSB. Thank you Fleet Air Arm Museum and your virtual tour! But my first question still stands.

Airframes · 10-12-2008, 07:58 PM

I'll see if there's anything in my old magazine collection. Might be something in the feature on FAA and Commenwealth Corsairs. Hope you don't mind waiting though, got to locate the darn thing! Just a thought, the FAA museum will have a research facility; if not on line, an e-mail to them might provide what you want.

Catch22 · 10-12-2008, 08:39 PM

Hmm, I'll give that a try, and I don't mind waiting at all! I can continue without the information for a bit. Thanks!

Airframes · 10-13-2008, 10:26 AM

Hi again, Catch. Found the article I was looking for. It wsn't what I thought, but about American aircraft in the FAA. Only thing I've identified so far is, that Corsairs from HMS Collosus bore an X on the fin, plus some bumpf on colour schemes. I've got to do a bit more reading and other things, so will post what I find a bit later.

Airframes · 10-13-2008, 11:53 AM

Sorry mate, I was wrong, the 'X' code was FORMIDABLE, not Collosus!
These are the only images I can come up with at the moment. Can't find anything else on codes, but might have some other pics somewhere. I'm afraid naval aircraft aren't my strong-point, but tempted to do a Corsair, mean machine!
Still think FAA Museum research your best bet. Cheers, Terry.

109ROAMING · 10-13-2008, 12:09 PM

Very nice Terry,Thanks for posting them

Catch22 · 10-13-2008, 01:11 PM

Thanks a bunch Terry, interesting stuff! I had no idea that you guys had Corsairs in the Blue/Blue/White scheme.

Right now, my main question is what, if any, carrier used the tail code "F"? I'm referring to the type code that the Formidable Corsairs have, "X".

Catch22 · 10-13-2008, 01:14 PM

I meant to put this in my above post, but it's not letting me edit it.

I have decals of C, R, F, X, and W, but the C, R, and X, while I could get away with using them, are too big to properly fit where they are supposed to, and W is from the HMS Indomitable, which did not carry Corsairs, so that's why I'm interested so much in F. Worst comes to worst though, I could use X.

Airframes · 10-13-2008, 03:40 PM

If you can't get the right sized decal, there're two options.
1) Hand painting. 'F' isn't too difficult, even free-hand, and easier masked.
2) 'Letraset', 'Blick', or similar rub-down transfers.
If you're really stuck, if you tell me what size, in millimetres or inches, I'll look at what I've got. If I have them, I can mail them to you if it will help?
This is just a guess, and most probably very wrong, but could the 'F' code be from Fearless?
I'll ask a friend up the street from me, he might know. Meanwhile, if you haven't already, you could try the Osprey book "Corsair Aces of WW2".

Catch22 · 10-13-2008, 05:46 PM

Hmm, I'll have to look for that book, as I do not have it.

And the F is the right size, but the others aren't. I can still get away with using the other ones, they'd just looks a bit odd. However, the X I could cut down. Thank you for the offer though!