VF-45 nose markings
 

I have seen photographs with the nose marked with a light band or no band at all. Different drawings indicate either white or yellow was used. Does anyone know which is correct, or if they are all correct, perhaps used at different times?

Re: VF-45 nose markings
 

In the few photos that I have seen, the markings appear to be white and match the white of the national insignia fairly close. I would think that yellow would show more of a difference in tone/shade.

I do not know why some aircraft have their cowlings marked and others don't. Could be a date/time issue as markings progressed or perhaps different sections within the squadron?



http://collections.naval.aviation.mu...eb%2FQuery.php

https://www.worldwarphotos.info/gall...march-21-1945/

https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Hellcat/...r-1945-01.html

Re: VF-45 nose markings
 

White cowl rings were sported as a quick identification marking for the February 1945 USN carrier raid on Tokyo. IIRC, all of the VF and VBF squadrons had them; I don't remember if the VB and VT squadrons did.

The cowl rings were gone by the time of the March 1945 raids on the Home Islands.

Re: VF-45 nose markings
 

Thanks chaps

Re: VF-45 nose markings
 

Steve I'm sure only VF/VBF had them , in TF58. these were the Honshu-Iwo-Bonin raids. VF45 on SAN JACINTO was in TG 58.2.1. There were still some fighters with white cowls in March for the Kyushu raids, eg. F6F #66 (VF-9), F4U #79 (VBF-83), F6F # 63 (VF-17). Apparently the VF-17 history says their Task Unit 58.1.1 had white added just before the 19 March raid on Kure.
Oddly there's a colour photo of F4U #70 from VBF-83 with what looks like a yellow nose.
But AG84 in Feb. on BUNKER HILL had yellow noses on the whole Group including VT and VB (there are colour photos).

You can check out TF58 here....

http://pacific.valka.cz/forces/index.htm

Nick

Re: VF-45 nose markings
 

AG-45 composition SAN JACINTO;

20/2/45........
VF-45 ---

1 F6F-3
24 F6F-5
1 F6F-5P
VT-45----
2 TBM-1C
5 TBM-3


10/3/45........
VF-45--------

21 F6F-5
1 F6F-5P
VT45------
9 TBM-3



"Naval History & Heritage Centre".
Nick