US Navy side number designations and colours - WWII

shepsair · **Posted:** Thu Feb 04, 2010 5:40 pm

Just a couple of questions.

Why would a 1943 Hellcat carry J-12 on the ide when J was designated as a Utility aircraft?

When did the US Navy authorise the change over of the side number colours (black in 1942 or so) to white (in 1943 or so?)

The more you research the more questions there are!

regards

Mark

jamesintucson · **Joined:** Sat Jan 29, 2005 1:42 am **Posts:** 546

See if you can find these books:

The Official Monogram U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Aircraft Color Guide, Volume 1, 1911-1939.

The Official Monogram U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Aircraft Color Guide, Volume 2, 1940-1949.

The Official Monogram U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Aircraft Color Guide, Volume 3, 1950-1959.

The Official Monogram U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Aircraft Color Guide, Volume 4, 1960-1993.

They are probably the most complete survey of US Navy colors and markings ever. They aren't perfect but they have a wealth of information. They've been out of print for some time and can command very high prices but if you are really interested in the details of when changes were made they are the best source. And they have great photos too.

But to try to answer your questions the J-12 painted on the Hellcat has nothing to do with the aircraft designation system. That is a identification code for the 12th plane in a unit or at a base coded J. It is probably a training unit. The white versus black painted codes were generally more a matter of the background color than anything else although black was often used on planes in combat zones to make them stand out less.

James

Owen Miller · **Joined:** Fri Aug 27, 2004 9:28 pm **Posts:** 614

Can you post the photo of the Hellcat with the "J-12"?

Both black and white side numbers were in use at Midway
and, I believe, Coral Sea.

P51Mstg · **Joined:** Tue Jan 25, 2005 11:36 am **Posts:** 1202

Tough to get into the Naval Academy...... For you, just go sign up.... The Navy needs you

Best Wishes

Mark H

Jiggersfromsphilly · **Joined:** Fri Jun 17, 2005 3:15 pm **Posts:** 951

thientina wrote:

What is the difference between joining the navy and attending the naval acedemy? I am thinking of joining the navy but I would like to know the difference between going to see a recruiter in the navy and joining bootcamp and being enlisted verse attending the U.S Naval Acedemy like Annapolis which is a bit more like college. I am confused.

The Naval Academy is a college, and it is one of the most demanding Colleges to get into. It has very serious academic requirements for admission. Contact your local Congressman for details.

Myles · **Posted:** Sat Feb 13, 2010 1:50 pm

I went to Amazon.com through WIX and found there are a few of those books available, The Official Monogram U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Aircraft Color Guide, Volume 2, 1940-1949. A little spendy but worth every penny I'm sure.

Jim

Amazon.com (WIX)

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss? ... &x=14&y=14

JDK · **Posted:** Tue Jul 05, 2011 3:03 am

Note and ignore the two Spam posts/posters in this thread.

WIXMOD-Alpha · **Posted:** Tue Jul 05, 2011 8:10 am

JDK wrote:

Note and ignore the two Spam posts/posters in this thread.

They're gone.

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US Navy side number designations and colours - WWII

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