Photo USNAF Aircraft
 

Hello,


Currently on ebay is a nice photo of two Curtiss SB2C Helldivers of VB 87 at:


https://www.ebay.com/itm/WWII-US-Nav...4AAOSw081f-Pmt


Safe to say post 01.09.1945.But is the V on the tail to commemorate victory?. I notice checking on other images of VB 87 Helldivers a white inverted triangle appears to be used.





Regards,


Clint

Re: Photo USNAF Aircraft
 

Clint

The US Navy's ID figures/letter codes during WW 2 are tricky indeed to follow.

In mid 1945 the system was changed from the not very good "G-symbol" to a letter code where in this instance the letter V stood for the carrier Ticonderoga.
Previously Ticonderoga used an up-side-down triangle as their G-symbol.

Cheers
Stig

Re: Photo USNAF Aircraft
 

This link shows photos taken on the Ticonderoga.

http://www.navsource.org/archives/02/14.htm

In particular, there is a series of 4 photos taken between 21 and 31 July, 1945 for LIFE magazine by George Silk (search for Silk) and they show the squadron had switched to the V on the tail by then.

Re: Photo USNAF Aircraft
 

"Ticonderoga" had 3 tail markings 1943-45.
From July 1943 (unofficial) a small "V" with number above.
27/1/45---new symbol (called"G"s) an upside-down solid triangle as Stig says (Tech. Letter no.2 CTL-45), numbers below.

27/7/45----single large letter "V" as Roland says, numbers below (some fleet carriers had 2 letters) (Dispatch CTF/F39). In August numbers on fuselage too.
Her Air Groups were CVG7,80,87.
Nick

Re: Photo USNAF Aircraft
 

CVG-7 did not operate from Ticonderoga during WWII.

Re: Photo USNAF Aircraft
 

Thanks George, I was no doubt confusing "Ticonderoga" with "Hancock" ( I believe her original name as laid down) who had CVG-7.

Regards
Nick

Re: Photo USNAF Aircraft
 

One connection with CVG-7 arose from the need to send Ticonderoga back to the US for repairs, following her kamikaze damage in January 1945. On January 28 at Ulithi Ticonderoga's CVG-80 moved aboard Hancock to continue its combat cruise (for one more month). At the same time, the personnel of Hancock's CVG-7, now relieved, transferred to Ticonderoga for the trip home.

Re: Photo USNAF Aircraft
 

Thanks again George.

Are you familiar with this site? (location of USN aircraft 1942-45). I've spent many happy hours on it. Later entries (1945) show the amount of fighters carried; the 30 Jan.1945 table shows 73 F6Fs on "Ticonderoga" out of total 103, and 64 out of 91 on "Hancock".
https://www.history.navy.mil/researc...ld-war-ii.html


Can I assume from your title that you are interested in the SB2C ?
Regards
Nick

Re: Photo USNAF Aircraft
 

Yes indeed to both.

Re: Photo USNAF Aircraft
 

Quick question George if you don't mind; on the history.navy site what does "RDY" between the CVG number and date mean eg. CVG2 RDY 15APR45 ?
I can only think of "Ready".
Thanks
Nick
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