Help with Stearman USN scheme and markings.

Dan Jones · **Posted:** Mon Apr 20, 2015 8:09 pm

Jeeeezus... I hope that happened on the ground!

jdvoss wrote:

Steve:

I have never seen any letter codes used on naval training aircraft (Primary, Basic or Advanced). I have indeed seen Advanced Fighter Trainers(e.g. F4F, F6F, etc) displaying a large letter and number (e.g. "G 20"). I have never attempted to document them as I believe that it was a very non-structured system with aircraft from the same base displaying a variety of letters. When I complete the USAAF codes perhaps I'll attempt to research the navy / marine system.

Putting all the Stearman's (and like fabric covered aircraft) into a covered building was done at NAS Norman as well as other fields in the mid-west. That area is known for torrential storms with baseball size hail and furious winds. Just last week Oklahoma and Texas were hit with severe storms that were very devastating.

Attached is a photo taken at Enid Army Air Field, Oklahoma 1943. It's a Cessna UC-78 that go hit possibly while still in the air.

Bradleygolding · **Posted:** Mon Apr 20, 2015 9:25 pm

John,

Ouch that looks expensive!

I just wondered about the use of letters, and I suppose the next logical step is to find photos of Stearmans at Grosse Ile in late 42 early 43. Not sure which archive to look in though. I might even try RAF or IWM.

Steve

Bradleygolding · **Posted:** Mon Apr 20, 2015 10:30 pm

In fact looking at the Grosse Ile website I found this: http://nasgi.net/CP%20Rayner.htm

Which actually matches a flightline photo I have seen. Late 42 Stearman in what looks like an all yellow scheme with white only stencilling! And in his log book he flew the plane either side of mine!

Still looking

Steve

Flightline : https://books.google.com.au/books?id=Hc ... le&f=false

Bradleygolding · **Posted:** Wed Apr 22, 2015 3:08 am

Hmmm....

After looking at these images a fair bit I am beginning to think that they are Army Stearmans taken on by the Navy and retaining their blue fuselages. Difficult with black and white images.

Steve

jdvoss · **Posted:** Fri Apr 24, 2015 4:44 pm

Steve.

G'Day..

I was reviewing the file you sent of Rayner and noted the two photos ("Main Hangar &HQ NASGI" and "NAS Gross Ile N2S Stearman's") that depicted the N2S's in apparent army blue fuselages with white USNavy ID. No doubt they were re-routed to USN needs in the early days of the war. Transfer of USAAF A/C to the USN aircraft usually did not warrant re-painting the aircraft...at least initially. Case in point I've attached a rare colour photo of factory-fresh USN SNV Vibrators that still retain their USAAF paint scheme.

Also I noted in the Rayner file another photo ID's as "N2S-5 on Stand at NASGI 1942". The aircraft is actually a N3N-3!!!

I was glad that you found the publication "Images of America NAS Gross Ile". However I did note that pages 58 thru 129 are MISSING! These pages are probably key to your research as they no doubt have valuable bibliography information that would be of great help in finding source material. Do you have the original book?? If you don't have it send me a PM.

John

Bradleygolding · **Posted:** Fri Apr 24, 2015 5:07 pm

Hi John,

Some of the image labelling is a bit iffy, but interesting nevertheless. I have the book on order and expect it at the end of next week. I have also got some contact details for CP Rayner as well, although he was only there for a few months, we will see what he remembers!

Cheers

Steve

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Help with Stearman USN scheme and markings.

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