P-51D-5-NA Mustang 44-13704 “Ferocious Frankie” B7-H of the 374th FS 361st Fighter Group July 1944 – color photo
361st Fighter Group markings:
P-47D Thunderbolts (December 1943 – May 1944):
- Standard Finish: The P-47D Thunderbolts carried the factory finish of Dark Olive Drab and Neutral Gray. This was typical of many U.S. Army Air Forces aircraft at the time.
- Type Identity Markings: The aircraft were marked with white type identity codes:
- B7 for the 374th Fighter Squadron
- E2 for the 375th Fighter Squadron
- E9 for the 376th Fighter Squadron
- These codes were added in early January 1944 and were painted in the standard color, size, and locations for P-47s.
- Nose Band: In late March 1944, the group overpainted the 24-inch-wide white nose band with yellow.
- Bare Metal P-47Ds: A few P-47Ds received in bare metal finish before the group’s transition to P-51 Mustangs had black type identity markings and retained the yellow nose band.
P-51B/C/D/K Mustangs (May 1944 – September 1945):
- Natural Metal Finish: The majority of P-51B and C models received upon conversion were in natural metal finish with black type identity bands.
- Camouflage: Only about a dozen P-51Bs were delivered in factory camouflage of Dark Olive Drab and Neutral Gray.
- Yellow Nose Marking: Upon conversion, the group’s yellow nose marking replaced the black spinner and 12-inch-wide cowling band. Code letters remained the same as those used on P-47s but were increased to 30 inches in height.
- Field Camouflage: Field camouflaging of P-51s began in late May 1944. Dark green was applied to the upper surfaces of wings, tailplane, fin, and rudder. Different variations were seen:
- Some aircraft had all upper surfaces of wings and tailplanes painted.
- Others had only the inner or outer sections of the wings camouflaged.
- The Group Commanding Officer’s P-51D used Insignia Blue instead of dark green, likely due to a shortage of the suitable green paint.
- Type Identity Stripes: These were removed from most aircraft during the summer of 1944, but some aircraft retained them later.
- D-Day Stripes: Generally, code letters were not obscured when D-Day stripes were applied. Where codes were covered, they were repainted in black or white as needed.
- Extended Yellow Nose Marking: To avoid confusion with yellow-nosed 9th Air Force P-51s, in late July 1944, the yellow marking was extended back from the spinner to just beyond the small perforated panel and then diagonally up to just above the exhaust stack. This marking first appeared on the Group Commander’s aircraft and was applied to others by early August.
- Squadron-Specific Markings:
- 375th Fighter Squadron: Extended the yellow marking down the engine firewall by October 1944.
- Rudder Colors: In late October 1944:
- 374th Fighter Squadron: Red rudders
- 375th Fighter Squadron: Medium blue rudders
- 376th Fighter Squadron: Yellow rudders
- The tail numbers were typically left on an unpainted strip.
- Wing Tips and Personal Decorations: By 1945, all P-51s in the group had their wing tips painted in the squadron color. The aircraft often featured a high degree of personal decoration, especially on rudder trim tabs.