Modelling-ABC by Wilfried Eck

photo: Wilfried Eck

Colors auf the US Navy   and basic markings   1946 - 2022   I. Combat aircraft   1946 - 1951 1951 - 1955 1955 - 1980 1980 - 2022

photo: Wilfried Eck

After the end of World War II, the U.S. Navy was primarily concerned with reorganization. What was left in the aircraft inventory flew in the proven camouflage paint scheme "Glossy Sea Blue" with various markings. The same applied to aircraft of the U.S. Marine Corps, which were purchased from the Bureau of Aeronautics (BuAer). It was not until 1946 that increasingly detailed specifications began to be made as to how aircraft were to look in the future.

As far as colors are concerned, Federal Standard 595a distinguishes between "glossy", first digit 1, glossy, "semi gloss", first digit 2, semi glossy, and "non specular", first digit 3, non glossy. FS No. 36440 "Light Gull Gray" is thus a non-glossy color, but by no means dull matte, while FS No. 16440 is the same color in a glossier finish (but not high gloss). FS 26440 had less gloss than 16440, but more than 36440.

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1946:

SB2C-5 of VA-9A 1948 on CV-47 "Philippine Sea". The usual deck paint ("deck stain") heavily weathered. U.S. Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation photo No. 1996.253.254 [1]   F4U-4B of VF-114, Air Group 11, mid 1950 on CV-47 Philippine Sea. Foto: US Navy According to 4th Squadron (400 numbers) color marking in orange-yellow.   Glossy Sea Blue also for folding areas of the wings, landing gear, wells and wheels. Photo Wilfried Eck   F9F-2B Panther of VF-112 1950 on CV-47 "Philippine Sea" The light-colored leading edges of wings, tanks, and stabilizers are not bare metal, but unofficially (test-applied) abrasion-resistant paint ("Rain Erosion Resistant Paint"). - Photo: US National Museum of Naval Aviation.   FH-1 Phantom of VMF 122, US Marine Corps (recognizable by the underlined "BC") in "Sea Blue" color. U.S Navy National Museum of Naval Aviation, photo No.01996.253.7239.030.jpg       Illustration to the right column F4U-4 of VF-24, Air Group 2 (registration "M"); coming from CV-45 "Valley Forge", replacing Air Group 11 on the "Philippine Sea" as of mid-1951 wings upper sides wings lower sides

Colors according to directive SR-15e of 10.10.1944 according to Federal Standard No. 595a/ANA (repeated with SR-2F of 02.01.1947 and MIL-F-7179 of 16.04.1951): Airframe: Glossy Sea Blue FS 15042, ANA 623       Landing gear: Glossy Sea Blue FS 15042, ANA 623       Landing gear wells and flaps: Glossy Sea Blue FS 15042, ANA 623       Cockpit above lower edge of instrument panel: Non Specular Black FS 37038, ANA 604 Cockpit below lower edge of instrument panel: Interior Green FS 34151, ANA 611       National insignia*: (Glossy) Insignia Blue* FS 15044, ANA 605   (Glossy) Insignia White FS 17875, ANA 601       Engine hood inside (since 06.03.1944): Non Specular Black FS 37038, ANA 604 Engine hood interior according to Amendment 3 to SR-2F, 01.05.1949: NS Interior Green* FS 34151, ANA 611       Airscrew Blades: Black FS 17038, ANA 515 Airscrew tips: Orange Yellow FS 13538, ANA 506             * Insignia Blue is not blue at all. Due to the high proportion of black, it is darker than Sea Blue, almost black. With rare fading, it becomes dark gray.     Effective June 10, 1946, Amendment 1 to Army-Navy Specification AN-I-9b:   In the national insignia, the disk and side bar surrounds in Insignia Blue can be omitted (only the star and bars in Insignia White). Previously, this had only been allowed for Grumman.   Effective January 14, 1947, Amendment 2 to Army-Navy Specification AN-I-9b:   In the national insignia, a stripe in Insignia Red, FS 11136, is inserted in the horizontal bar (length equal to radius of the star, width 1/2 radius). Width 1/6 radius. As a result, three stripes of equal width to the left and right of the star.     May 01 1948, SR-2F Amendment Three: Marking colors for squadrons (upper seven inches of vertical stabilizer and airscrew hubs):   1. Squadron: Insignia Red, FS 11136, ANA 509 4. Squadron: Light Yellow, FS 14187, ANA 503 2. Squadron: Insignia White, FS 17875, ANA 511 5. Squadron: Light Green, FS 14187, ANA 3. Squadron: Light Blue, FS 15102, ANA 501 6. Squadron: Black 17038, ANA 515, Rand Ins. White   May 12 1950, SR-2G Amendment I: Aircraft of the reserve receive a vertical band in "Orange Yellow", FS 13538, ANA 614 around the disk of the national insignia . Below centered indication of the base in half font size.   "Rain Resistant Paint": What appeared to be bare leading edges on the wings and empennage, especially on F9F-2 Panther and FJ-2, -3 Fury, was actually a special aluminum-based paint. Probably for test purposes, because there was no official regulation until 1955.   03 Aug. 1953, SR-202 "Exterior Color Requirements for Naval Aircraft" Jet air intakes: color of exterior drawn around 2 1/2 inches, 6.35 cm, into (white) intake opening   25 May 1954, BuAer NAVAER 07.01 for all aircraft: Cockpit now Dark Gull Gray, FS 36231. In black: frame interiors that can cause glare, control knobs, instrument bezels and information signs. Later, the black was increasingly dispensed with for frames; the decisive factor here is the individual case.. Since subsequent directives only dealt with the exterior and at most regulated the color of the control knobs, cockpit color is surprisingly still "Dark Gull Gray" at present.     Markings:   Although the basic principles still in force today were laid down at the end of 1946, they were subject to reforms in detail that would far exceed the scope of this article. What remained unchanged, however, was the "block style" lettering, i.e. letters and numerals consisting of straight bars of standardized width and height with 45° beveled corners (30° as of March 5, 1982).   07 Nov. 1946, Circular Letter No 156-46: Unit identifing letter/s ("Tail Code") for the Essex-class carriers, remaining light carriers (CVL) and escort carriers (CVE) used for sub-hunting.   12/12/1946, Aviation Circular Letter No 156-46, for shipboard stationed aircraft:   wing uppersides wing lower siedes   In departure from Circular Letter No 156-46, letters on the vertical stabilizer of fleet carrier (CV, CVA) based aircraft identify the parent Air Group. Carrier based Marine Corps airplanes retain their double letters (first letter Marine Aircraft Wing, No. 1 "A," MAW 2 "B," MAW 3 "W"; 2nd letter Squadron within MAW). To avoid confusion, however, underlined until 1949. Only Fighter and Attack Squadrons, designation VF- or VA- plus number. Other mission designations, such as "T-" for torpedo squadron, "B-" bomber, are omitted. Individual numbering on the bow, three-digit numbers as follows:   1. VF- (Fighter-) Squadron: 101 - 199 1. VA- (Attack) Squadron: 401 - 499 2. VF- (Fighter-) Squadron: 201 - 299 2. VA- (Attack) Squadron: 501 - 599 3. VF- (Fighter-) Squadron: 301 - 399 Other Squadron:               600 ff. Commander Air Group: x00 Commander Air Group: x00   02 Jan. 1947, Aviation Circular Letter SR 2F:   Identification letter(s) on the vertical stabilizer 36 inches (91.44 cm) high, stroke width 4 inches (10.16 cm), with double letters 30 inches (76.2 cm) high, line width reduced accordingly. Aircraft type, NAVY or MARINES and serial number each centered below each other below leading edge of tailplane, letter size 1 inch (2.54 cm). Letter(s) of "Tail Code" now also on top of right wing and bottom of left wing, centered 6 inches (15.24 cm) from wing tip; number to left of this 18 inches (45.72 cm) apart. See drawing above.   28 Feb. 1947, Amendment I to SR-2F: The distance between the national insignia and the identification letters is 1/3 of the length of the wing from the wing tip.   12 May 1950, SR-2G Amendment I for all aircraft (mandatory only June 16, 1952):   "NAVY" or "MARINES" on fuselage forward of tailplane, size 12, 16, 20, 24, 28 inches. Other locations permitted if required by type. Below, centered at half height of lettering, the designation of the squadron or home base. The national insignia moves forward to a suitable location. "NAVY" or "MARINES" on underside of left wing, as far out as possible, letter height 24 or 30 inches (60.96 cm/76.20 cm). Orientation horizontal, to be read from front left to right. The individual number moves to the inside. Identification letter(s) and individual number under the left wing are separated. The identification letter at height 16 inches (40.64 cm) now to the right of the national insignia, moved inward, the individual number to the left of NAVY or MARINES, also moved inward accordingly. See drawing at left   15 Sep.1954, MIL-I-6140(ASG):   On aircraft with swept wings, the sovereignty insignia is aligned with the (imaginary) centerline of the wing depth. Similarly, the inscription on the other side.

1951:
		In April 1951, the Bureau of Aeronautics (BuAer), which was responsible for aviation, established a program to evaluate the service life of a number of unpainted aircraft on aircraft carriers under conditions of wide geographic distribution. About one hundred F9F-5 Panthers and the entire production of F7U-3 Cutlass at the time were affected. It was assumed that one hundred F2H-3 Banshee would also be included. FJ-2 Fury would be added later. "Unpainted" by no means meant bare metal, because that was ruled out for corrosion protection reasons. Parts made of magnesium were therefore to receive a coating of aluminum paint (a noticeable portion on the F7U), the rest was anodized. - A corresponding note under the tailplane was to prevent accidental overpainting. Since metalworking was time-consuming and no significant progress was noticeable, the final decision was to return to conventional painting - over a primer, of course. However, with different colors.
F7U-3 Cutlass, 1955 on a test flight, photo: US Museum of Naval Aviation.		FJ-2 Fury of VMF-451, Marine Corps, 1954. Photo: US Marine Corps.

The Korean War of 1950-1953 clearly showed the end of piston engine aircraft. Jets were faster and reached higher altitudes. The previous dark paint scheme was no longer appropriate, especially in view of the radiation associated with dropping an atomic bomb. The new camouflage and protective paint had to be lighter.

Excluded from these considerations were, of course, aircraft that did not have to fear nuclear radiation, such as seaplanes or helicopters. But here, too, a certain alignment took place in the course of time.

In general, however - presumably due to accidents - there was an increasing number of warning notices in "Insignia Red", especially at the air intakes of jets, alongside various notices in "Orange Yellow".

F3H -1N Demon (BuNo. 133492) Fighter Squadron VF-13 "Night Cappers" According to number "104" (4th aircraft of the 1st Squadron) markings in "Insignia Red" aircraft carrier CV-38 Shangri La, here Pima Air Museum, photo: Wilfried Eck   Warning and other notices in "Insignia Red" and "Orange Yellow" respectively, which - even in a different color - have basically survived to this day:   warning air intake, 1th version air intake, later version warnig ejection seat arrow direction as required   in vicinity of crew compartment above landing hook in front of jet exhaust       R Landing gear F3H-1N Demon Folding position wing A-1 "H" Skyraider As in all other cases standard, "Insignia White", photos: Wilfried Eck   Lockheed S-3A of VS-37 in standard livery and Squadron emblem on rudder. photo: US Navy via Wikipedia Commons.   Reconnaissance aircraft RF-4B of VMFP-3 completely in "Light Gull Gray", national insignia and markings Black. photo: US Navy via Wikipedia Commons		23 Feb.1955: Military Specification MIL-C-18263(Aer):       Top and sides of fuselage, vertical stabilizer, upper surfaces of the wings less ailerons (landing flaps to follow): Non Specular Light Gull Gray FS 36440 Elevator top and bottom, topsides ailerons and flaps: Glossy Insignia White FS 17875 Bottoms: Glossy Insignia White FS 17875       Inner sides of slats and corresponding places of the wings: Insignia Red FS 11136       Landing gear: Glossy Insignia White FS 17875 Landing gear wells, flaps, folding areas wings: Glossy Insignia White FS 17875       Cockpit overall: Non Specular Dark Gull Gray FS 36231       National insignia: (Glossy) Insignia Blue FS 15044   (Glossy) Insignia White FS 17875   (Glossy) Insignia Red FS 11136       "Rain Erosion Resistant Paint" for leading edges of wings and tail unit. Preferably applied from the first row of rivets above to the first row of rivets below, or left, right. (Aluminium) Schutzfarbe, kein Metall       "Rain Erosion Resistant Paint" for radomes, antennas: Schwarz, Braun Farbe materialabhängig       Inscriptions: (Glossy) Black FS 17038, ANA 515 Warning notes: Insignia Red FS 11136         Marking colors, 09 March 1955, MIL-I-18464(Aer):   1. Squadron or unit (VF): Glossy Insignia Red FS 11136 2. Squadron or unit (VF): Glossy Orange Yellow FS 13538 3. Squadron or unit (VA) Glossy Light Blue FS 15102 4. Squadron or unit (VA) Glossy International Orange FS 12197 5. Squadron or unit Glossy Light Green FS 14187 6. Squadron or unit * Gloss Black FS 17038 7. Squadron or unit * Glossy Maroon FS 10049 * Mostly detachments of only a few aircraft         16 Jul. 1956, MIL-C-18263A(Aer):   Slats on wing fronts and areas covered by them: Insignia Red FS 11136 Engine cowling interior: Glossy Aircraft Gray FS 16473 "Rain Resistant Paint": now uniform width 3 inches (7,62 cm)         27 Dec. 1961, MIL-C-18263C(Wep):   Rudder now also in "Glossy Insignia White", FS 17875     23 Feb.1955, Militäry Specification MIL-C-18263(Aer):   On the underside of the wings of carrier based aircraft squadron affiliation information is omitted (only on top of right wing, 1/3 span from wing tip). Maintenance markings on "Insignia White" in "Orange Yellow" FS 13538.     9 Mar. 1955, MIL-I-18464(Aer):   The inscriptions "NAVY" or "MARINES" and other information on white wing undersides are omitted for aircraft intended for operation on aircraft carriers and those for maritime surveillance tasks (patrol); otherwise as before. New: "Radio Call Numbers" on the bottom of the vertical stabilizer, consisting of the last four digits of the BuAer number. Warning paint in "Insignia Red," FS 11136, around air intakes of jet aircraft, as well as various other warning labels; information labels in Orange Yellow, FS 13538. See above left for examples.   20 Dec. 1963: "Carrier Air Group" (CVG) becomes "Carrier Air Wing" (CVW),   This is associated with a systematization of the identification letters. The first letter of the tail code on the vertical stabilizer shows the assignment of the air wing to the Atlantic ("A") or Pacific fleet ("N"). In practice: all aircraft on board show the same letters, no aircraft with "Nx" on a carrier with "Ax" identifier. Status 2022:   CVW-1 CVW-2 CVW-3 CVW-5 CVW-7 CVW-8 CVW-9 CVW-11 CVW-17 AB NE AC NF AG AJ NG NH NA     "Tail Markings":     In the course of the Vietnam War (1965 - 1975) and the stress it placed on aircrews, the marking color, which was limited to seven inches of the vertical stabilizer, began to be extended, tentatively at first, then more and more generously, to become part of a decoration that also included the identification letters. While explicitly forbidden, as the Navy generously overlooked it in the interest of "team spirit," it was increasingly taken as consent. Graphic designers and artists were hired to impressively display squadron crests or mottoes. The Marine Corps immediately joined in.   In a first step back to camouflage, it was therefore decided:   18 Feb. 1977, Chief Naval Operations 181716Z:   The white on the tops of the ailerons is omitted, as is that of the rudder. Airframe now completely in "Glossy Light Gull Gray", FS 16440.

1980:

Colorfully decorated aircraft were nice to look at, but combined with the white undersides, they could be spotted even at long range. In order not to give the enemy an advantage, a new camouflage paint scheme had to be found, because the Marine Corps also saw an urgent need for change. After various shades of gray and blue on TA-4F Skyhawks and a likewise not entirely convincing "splitter system" by Mr. Keith Ferris, the "Tactical Paint Scheme" of the "Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR)" followed, which was supposed to cover all possible scenarios. The novelty here was not only the various shades of blue-gray, which hardly differed from each other, but also the fact that they were matched in a special pattern to the operational area of the respective aircraft type (see table below).

Not to be covered by the Tactical Paint Scheme were: Aircraft that needed to be highly visible, such as KA-6D tankers, likewise not transports and other aircraft that did not operate in the tactical mission area, such as E-2 early warning aircraft.

A-4M Skyhawk of VMF-214 "Black Sheep" ("WE") in "Tactical Paint Scheme" The slight difference between the three shades is easy to see photo: Wilfried Eck   TBS camouflage scheme for TA-4 and A-4 Skyhawk

Datum Für Typ Farbton 1 FS 595a Farbton 2 FS 595a Farbton 3 FS 595a                 30 Juli 1980: F/A-18A Hornet Blue Gray 35237 Light Ghost Gray 36375 Light Gray 36495 ² 25 August 1980: A-4 Skyhawk Dark Ghost Gray 36320 Light Ghost Gray 36375 Light Gray 36495 25 August 1980: OA-4 Skyhawk Dark Ghost Gray 35320 Light Ghost Gray 36375 Light Gray 36495 03 Februar 1982: EA-6B Prowler Blue Gray 35237 Dark Ghost Gray 36320 Light Ghost Gray 36375 03 Februar 1982: F-4 Phantom Blue Gray 35237 Dark Ghost Gray 36320 Light Ghost Gray 36375 03 Februar 1982: F-14 Tomcat Blue Gray 35237 Dark Ghost Gray 36320 Light Ghost Gray 36375 03 Februar 1982: A-6 Intruder Dark Ghost Gray 36320 Light Ghost Gray 36375   --- 03 Februar 1982: A-7 Corsair II Dark Ghost Gray 36320 Light Ghost Gray 36375   ---   Note 1: Each type was assigned a specific camouflage pattern based on its intended use. Note 2: To await test results, a TPS for the F-14 Tomcat has been deferred until finalized. Note 3: For the F/A-18, Light Ghost Gray, FS 36375, was specified as the underside color in June 1983; FS 36495 was dropped. Note 4: For types not included in the above list, own samples were made later, if TPS, colors as above.   Application principle for national insignia and markings:   Background in dark gray, markings medium gray. Background in medium gray, markings dark gray. Background light gray, markings medium gray   The white of the national insignia had thus been dropped without replacement.       ----------------------------   In practice, the Tactical Paint Scheme did full justice to its camouflage task. The aircraft were no longer recognizable at medium range. However, because this was unfavorable for formation flying and the aircraft could no longer be distinguished from one another even on deck in bad weather, protests followed in their wake. In 1981, NAVAIR therefore allowed at least the Modex to be lighter or darker, which later became official with black, FS 37038. To ease the transition to the new gray-on-gray and maintain the "team spirit," one aircraft was allowed to be decorated in color.   After the Tactical Paint Scheme had proven itself with Modex clearly standing out, it was officially introduced by the Navy with MIL-STD-2161 (AS), April 18, 1985 and successively extended to other types. Adaptations to current requirements followed:   Modified 01 May 1993 by MIL-STD-2161A (AS). Modified August 15, 2008 by MIL-STD-2161B (AS) Modified 07 February 2014 by MIL-STD-2161C (AS)*. * Continued validity confirmed May 14, 2019 by MIL-STD-2161C NOTICE 1.   It is noteworthy that all the detailed specifications referred only to the exterior, including the landing gear, ducts and interior of air intakes, but not to the color of the cockpit. It can therefore be assumed that the specification of May 25, 1954, Dark Gull Gray, FS 36231, should be retained. - See also links below.

TA-7C_VA-174, Dallas Feb. 1, 1988, in one of several test camouflage schemes. photo: US Defense Visual Information Center photo DN-ST-88-07027 via Wikimpedia Commons   EA-18G Growler, VAQ 137, Rooks, Harry-S.Truman,_Ägäis, 1 March 2022 photo: US Navy, 220301-N-NO874-1011   EA-6B Prowler of VAQ-130 lands on CVN 75 Harry S. Truman photo: National Archives via Wikipedia Commons   F/A-18F, BuNo 168493 ("CAG Bird") of VFA-103 "Jolly Rogers" on CVN-72, 1 August 2018   O-Text: "Jolly Roger" squadrons in the last 75 years. The silhouettes of the flown aircraft are painted on the fuselage band. "Mutha" refers to the Mutha Award that is awarded to the most outstanding and spirited U.S. Navy fighter squadron. The dates 1943 and 2018 are painted on the insides of the rudders. photo: US Navy 220517-N-MM912-1068   The new color: Two F-35C with F-18E, -F via NAS Fallon, home of TOPGUN, September 2015. U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Darin Russell/Released

EA-18G VX-31 over Ridgecrest CA, July_2009, markings in black. photo: U.S. Navy Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division (NAWCWD) via Wikipedia Commons   F/A-18E, Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 211_USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75, 12 June 2022 photo: US Navy, 220612-N-DN159-1044   E-2D_Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125_USS Ronald Reagan_(CVN 76), 5 Juli 2022 photo: US Navy, 220705-N-WI365-1002   EA-18G ("CAG Bird") of VAQ-133, CVN 72 "Abraham Lincoln", 17 May 2022. photo: US Navy 220517-N-MM912-1068   F-35C of VMFA-314 US Marine Corps lands on CVN 72 Abraham .Lincoln, 24 December 2021 photo: US Navy 211124-N-MM912-1067

Recommended links:

	Text and color drawings Copyright Wilfried Eck	US Navy colors 1941 to 1945