Re: Request for help
 

Does anyone knows the range of numbers used by VC-68 FM-2s? If I’m going to make a hypothetical profile at least it’s better to be in the correct number range. I wish I could match BuNo with individual aircraft numbers.

Re: Request for help
 

Hello,
FM-2 losses were -
10/25/44
BuNo's
55366; 55496; 55508; 55578.
10/26/44
Bu No.
55419.
11/09/44
BuNo
56810
Could not find any others except TBM's.

Alex

Re: Request for help
 

Hello,

Douglas E. Campbell in his, Vol.III - U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard Aircraft Lost During World War II - Listed by Aircraft Type (pp.127-154).

General Motors FM-2 - Lost

VC-68

03/12/44 - 15978

06/03/44 - 16093

06/08/44 - 46996

06/17/44 - 16710

06/17/44 - 46858

26/08/44 - 46894

10/22/44 - 56860

10/25/44 - 55366
10/25/44 - 55496
10/25/44 - 55508
10/25/44 - 55578

10/26/44 - 55419

11/09/44 - 56810

Col.

Re: Request for help
 

Thank you for your replies. I meant if we might knew the individual plane numbers...from 30-50 for example.

Anyway thank you all for the time consumed for my request.

Dimitris

Re: Request for help
 

Hi Dimitris. There was no directive for the range of numbers in a VC, as the TBM in the photo is no. 81 the fighter component would most likely have used low numbers ( but there were only 16 FM-2s in VC68 , plus 12 TBMs). The numbers ( and tail markings ) were at the discretion of the tactical commander ie. Commander Air Group; the markings were regularised in Spec. SR2e 21 June 1944 to be effective 7 October.

The side numbers should have been moved to the tails by Spec. SR2d 22 Dec. 1943 effective 6 March 1944 when overall Glossy Sea Blue was adopted, but as usual there were some VCs which kept the side numbers plus a letter eg. Sargent Bay ( D+number ) Petrof Bay B+number. Also there were many Eastern FMs still in the 3-colour scheme on escort carriers. The FM-2 in this photo has this, with side number V30 off Leyte in October if the caption is correct; this is the only photo I've seen of a VC68 FM-2 at this date, and the "V" code is unknown (?). Note that you can't see if the diamond is on the rudder.
The other attachment is a short history of Fanshaw Bay.



http://digicom.bpl.lib.me.us/ww_reg_his/145/


http://www.shipsnostalgia.com/galler...aw-bay/cat/503



Regards
Nick

Re: Request for help
 

This is the unique Eastern FM-2 scheme, note the Non-Specular wing and tailplane leading edges. The unit is "White Plains"' VC-4.
The side profile is from Geoff Thomas' "US Navy carrier aircraft colours" which is very reliable though I don't know why the "012" designator unless it's a reference to the Bu.Aer. number. Possibly a replacement before side number allocated and their rudder diamond marked on.
Nick