World War Photos

Fortresses: 42-106994 VE-K “LITTLE GUY”, 42-107112 VE-O “SLEEPY TIME GAL”, 42-97059 VP-S “MARSHA SUE”, 43-37675 VE-N, 44-6163 GD-P

High-Visibility Color Markings on Bombers (1943 – 1944)

During World War II, high-visibility color markings were introduced on bombers to improve formation recognition and reduce confusion during missions, particularly when multiple Groups within a Combat Wing were targeting different objectives. Initially, these markings were only applied to the vertical tail surfaces, but eventually, they extended to other parts of the aircraft as well. These changes were implemented in 1944, as unpainted aircraft became more common, and camouflage was no longer a primary concern.

Background and Early Proposals:

• Geometric Shape and Letter Devices: Introduced in summer 1943, these markings helped bomber groups identify formations. However, as the need for greater visibility at longer distances arose, especially with the arrival of unpainted (bare metal) aircraft in early 1944, more vibrant markings were considered.
• Initial Proposal: In December 1943, the 385th Bomb Group suggested painting fins and stabilizers in radio call colors (red, yellow, green) to reduce confusion during assembly patterns. This was initially rejected by higher command.

Adoption of Bright Markings:

• 2nd Bomb Division’s Implementation: In late March 1944, the 2nd Bomb Division, troubled by aircraft mistakenly joining the wrong formations, implemented high-visibility color markings on the vertical tails of their B-24 Liberators. This system used basic colors for Combat Wings with distinctive stripes for each Group:
  • Colors Allotted:
    • 2nd Combat Bomb Wing: Black with white stripe.
    • 14th Combat Bomb Wing: Bare metal with black stripe.
    • 20th Combat Bomb Wing: Yellow with black stripe.
    • 95th Combat Bomb Wing: Green with white stripe.
    • 96th Combat Bomb Wing: Red with white stripe.
  • Stripe Configuration: The lowest-numbered Group had a vertical stripe, the next had a horizontal stripe, and the third had a diagonal stripe, with specific dimensions for each.

Marking Details and Applications:

• Radio Call-Letters: Painted in the Combat Wing color on the stripes. The tail number was relocated to the inboard surfaces of the B-24 fins.
• Temporary Markings: In cases where old markings were removed before the new ones were applied, a 3-foot diameter disc (black on bare metal or white on camouflage) was to be painted near the waist window. This was rarely used.
• Effectiveness: The new markings greatly enhanced visibility, allowing Combat Wing colors to be identified from distances of up to five miles.

Expansion and Variation Across Divisions:

• 3rd Bomb Division: In June 1944, the 93rd Combat Bomb Wing adopted high-visibility markings, painting one-third of the outboard vertical tail surfaces red, with different sections (forward, top, bottom) assigned to the 34th, 490th, and 493rd Bomb Groups, respectively.

  • Radar Lead Aircraft: Entire vertical tails were painted red on some B-24s.
  • Abandoned Plan: The 92nd Combat Bomb Wing planned to use similar markings in yellow but canceled due to the conversion to B-17s.

• 1st Bomb Division: The first B-17s with high-visibility markings appeared in July 1944, with wing tips, tailplanes, and fin areas painted bright red. This included:

  • Horizontal Stabilizers: Both top and bottom surfaces were painted, except the elevators.
  • Fin Markings: An 80-inch wide red band extended from the fin top to the fuselage.
  • Group Device Retention: The existing Group markings were retained, with some Groups choosing their own colors for call-letters and numbers.

• August 1944 Instructions:

  • 40th Combat Bomb Wing: Used a 4-foot wide horizontal band across the vertical tail surfaces, with colors red (92nd), green (305th), and yellow (306th).
  • 41st Combat Bomb Wing: Applied a 3-foot wide band around the triangle markings with colors red (303rd), yellow (379th), and black (384th).
  • 94th Combat Bomb Wing: Featured a 4-foot wide diagonal band through the triangle marking with colors red (351st), yellow (401st), and medium blue (457th). Green was not used, possibly due to a lack of bright green paint.

Final Developments:

• 3rd Division’s Full Adoption: The 3rd Division, which was slower to adopt high-visibility markings, eventually applied them extensively. The 93rd Combat Bomb Wing, after converting to B-17s, continued using red tail markings and added red stripes on the wings and tailplanes.
• Square/Letter Devices: Though still listed in official publications, these markings were not always applied to the upper wing surfaces of the 3rd Division’s aircraft.

This system of bright color markings significantly improved the ability to manage and identify bomber formations, reducing confusion and enhancing operational efficiency.