US Army Air Forces

US Army Air Forces

Author: Robert D. Archer

Publisher: Schiffer Military History

Published: 1997

Total Pages: 350

ISBN-13: 9780764302466

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Compiled from official source documents this book covers the entire period of the USAAF, pre-war and post-war, and throughout World War II, up to the fomation of the independent U.S. Air Force in 1947. Described are many hitherto unknown facts about the USAAF involvement in the worldwide war theaters. This includes information about converting the Eighth Air Force in England to night bombing, because of the horrendous losses being suffered over Germany, and how the timely development of the Merlin-engined P-51 helped to prevent this. Full details are given of the conversion of B-17s to the night bombing role. The book covers the toal subject in chronological order, with chapters covering 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944, and 1945-1947. All details, and the reasons for the changes, are given for the camouflage colors, camouflage schemes, national insignia, and aircraft markings. A chapter is devoted to a brief description of the combat aircraft distinctive markings evolved by the Eighth Air Force (these will be covered fully in a subsequent book), a complete history of the Invasion stripes used during the Allied assault on Europe in 1944 (the author had these Top-Secret files declassified in 1966), and a selection of some of the unit insignia used by various USAAF units. A final chapter discusses the evolution of the camouflage and gloss colors used by the USAAF, including the official color standard numbers employed in the various color specifications up to, and including, FS 595B, and includes color swatches of them. Two appendices cover the aircraft designation system, and the aircraft maintenance markings. All aircraft camouflage schemes are shown in full color, as three-view drawins, where applicable. This includes the almost unknown special camouflage schemes evolved by the Army in North West Africa, to reduce losses due to the unexpected German counterattack, near the Kasserine Pass in Tunisia. The text of the numerous official technical orders are given in full, allowing the reader to see their complete progression for the first time. The meetins of the applicable joint meetings with members of the allied nations, and the effect of their decisions are fully covered, together with some surprising differences. This book is an indispensable reference for historians, restorers of USAAF aircraft, museums, and modelers.


Military Aircraft Insignia of the World

Military Aircraft Insignia of the World

Author: John Cochrane

Publisher: Flight Recorder Publications

Published: 2014

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9780955426872

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Once the flying machine was a practical proposition, its military use became evident and governments needed to develop a way of marking their property. Flying a flag was an obvious but ineffective and dangerous solution so painting the representation of the flag was the natural alternative. The first known markings to identify nationality were used in the 1910 Bombing Competition in Vienna where each competing machine carried its national colors. Formalized in 1912, precise shapes and colors of military markings were initially introduced by France closely followed by Romania. Organized by country in 2 volumes, Military Aircraft Insignia of the Worldbrings together global markings from such countries as Abkhazia, Afghanistan, Chad and Iran through to Kenya and Kuwait. Over 500 insignia combine with contemporary photographs and a brief history of the military air activity of that country to provide a wealth of information for the aviation historian and modeller alike.


British Aviation Squadron Markings of World War I

British Aviation Squadron Markings of World War I

Author: Les Rogers

Publisher: Schiffer Pub Limited

Published: 2001

Total Pages: 296

ISBN-13: 9780764312847

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Years in the making, this book covers the wide variety of markings used by British aviation units in World War I. Organized numerically by squadron number the book includes both textual and photographic examples for nearly all RFC, RAF, and RNAS squadrons. Many of the photographs are published here for the first time, and the color profiles offer a representative selection of units, aircraft, and color schemes. A classic book.


Tail Code

Tail Code

Author: Patrick Martin

Publisher: Schiffer Pub Limited

Published: 1994

Total Pages: 240

ISBN-13: 9780887405136

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This full color book is a fully comprehensive reference work on USAF tail code markings, and covers all major command untis; Pacific Air Forces, Alaskan Air Command, TAC, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, USAFE, Air Training Command, Air Forces Logistics Command, and Air Force Systems Command. The tail codes are listed alphabetically and are cross-referenced in a tail code summary for ease of use. The 300 photographs show the variety of aircraft in the USAF arsenal.


Flying Colours

Flying Colours

Author: William Green

Publisher: Salamander Books

Published: 1997

Total Pages: 207

ISBN-13: 9780861019441

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Military aircraft have been variously daubed, cunningly camouflaged, boastfully personalized or otherwise extravagantly coloured since they first took to the air over 80 years ago. Flying Colours is a survey of this fascinating scene.


Painted Ladies

Painted Ladies

Author: Randy Walker

Publisher: Schiffer Pub Limited

Published: 1992

Total Pages: 128

ISBN-13: 9780887403927

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Today's nose art has become the rule and not the exception throughout the bomber and tanker fores of Strategic Air Command, and although Tactical Air Command frowns on non-standard markings of any sort, several TAC gained Air National Guard units have artwork on their aircraft. Tradition plays a large part in modem nose art. As shown in Randy Walkers' new book cartoons and sexy ladies have returned. Names like "Memphis Belle", "Chow Hound" and "Maid in the USA", that once went to war on B-17s and B-24s are now carried by B-52s and FB-111s, as well as many other modem aircraft. This modem nose art is often applied by a professional artist, though it is sometimes painted by members of the unit, and in the process some excellent artwork has been created.


Civil Aircraft Markings 2022-Op-HS

Civil Aircraft Markings 2022-Op-HS

Author: ALLAN S. WRIGHT

Publisher:

Published: 2022-08-18

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781800351431

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The new 2022 edition of this best-selling annual publication builds on the long history and heritage of the title. First published in 1950, this will be, remarkably, the 73rd edition of Civil Aircraft Markings. When it appeared all those years ago, the book quickly achieved the status it still retains as the go-to source for up-to-date information on the rapidly changing world of civil aviation. The book provides the most complete listing available of all the aircraft currently on the UK Civil Aircraft Register; around 20,000 entries are detailed in this section alone ranging from historic bi-planes to the latest airliners and also includes balloons, gliders, microlights and helicopters. Additionally, Civil Aircraft Markings, contains the latest civil aircraft registers of Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. Civil aircraft commonly visiting the UK from round the world are also listed. It also provides the common airline flight codes, radio frequencies for major UK airfields and the complete British Aircraft Preservation Council (BAPC ) register. The new 2022 edition of Civil Aircraft Markingshas been fully revised and updated as usual and has a new and enhanced photographic section. Compiled by one of the UK's most widely respected aviation authors, its publication is eagerly awaited every spring by a legion of civil aviation enthusiasts and aviation professional for whom it is the essential companion.