Mosquito MM388 25th BG
25th Bombardment Group (R) Aircraft Markings
The aircraft of the 25th Bombardment Group (Reconnaissance) had specific and distinctive markings that evolved over time, reflecting their roles, mission needs, and the operational environment during World War II.
1. Mosquito PR.XVI (April 1944 – June 1945):
- Base Color: Overall PRU (Photo Reconnaissance Unit) Blue finish.
- Propeller Spinners: Roundel Blue.
- Serial Numbers: Black.
- National Insignia: The British roundels were removed, and the US insignia AN-I-9b was applied:
- Wings: The center of the insignia was 72 inches from the wingtip with a 40-inch diameter circular part.
- Fuselage: The insignia was placed 96 inches from the center of the wing root.
- Tail Markings:
- 8th Reconnaissance Weather Squadron, Light (P): By June 1944, an individual aircraft letter in white, 18 inches high, surrounded by a 30-inch diameter circle 3 inches thick, was painted on the tail fins.
- 8th Reconnaissance Squadron, Special (P): Similar tail markings without the surrounding circle.
- Black Undersurfaces: Some aircraft had black undersurfaces, vertical tails, and all but the spine of the fuselage, initially in non-gloss black, later changed to gloss Jet ANA 622.
- Red Tail Surfaces: In August 1944, following attacks by long-range fighters, the vertical tail surfaces were painted red. This change led to:
- 653rd Bomb Squadron: Tail letters on a 24-inch PRU Blue disc.
- 654th Bomb Squadron: Initially on a PRU Blue square, later directly on the red tail. Black-finished aircraft had either red or white call letters.
- Propeller Spinner Changes: In spring 1945, 654th Bomb Squadron aircraft had red spinners, while the 653rd retained Roundel Blue spinners.
- Squadron Codes: In mid-May 1945, white squadron codes were painted under the left wing:
- 653rd Bomb Squadron: Used the code WX.
- 654th Bomb Squadron: Code not fully documented, but likely used a code starting with B.
2. B-26G Marauders (July 1944 – March 1945):
- Base Color: Undersurfaces, vertical tail, and most of the fuselage painted in gloss reflective Jet ANA 622 Black, with the top spine in Olive Drab.
- Call Letters: Yellow, 18 inches high, painted on the fin below the tail number.
- Aircraft Examples: 43-34226 (T), 43-34205 (Y), 43-34195 (X), 43-34193 (W).
3. B-17F/G Fortresses (April-July 1944 and October 1944 – August 1945):
- Base Color: Initially factory-finished camouflage; later natural metal finish for the B-17Gs.
- Call Letters: Yellow, 24 inches high, painted on the fin below the tail number. Later replaced with black letters on the B-17Gs.
- Squadron Codes: In mid-May 1945, the 652nd Bomb Squadron had their code YN plus call letter painted under the left wing.
4. B-24J Liberators (July 1944 – November 1944):
- Base Color: Natural metal finish.
- Call Letters: Black, 24 inches high, painted on the lower fins.
- Unit Markings: No additional unit markings were carried.