P-40 Pacific Identification Markings Dates?

[Dave Homewood]

I think this could well have been discussed on the forum before but I could not find anything.

Does anyone know the dates of the official orders that resulted in the various identification markings were added to the RNZAF P-40's in the Pacific. Namely:

- The spinners painted white over the original olive drab spinner colours.

- The white roundel bars added.

- The white stripes added to the wings and the fuselage.

- The white tail.

I believe these all occurred progressively at different dates in an effort to make the P-40's and other Allied aircraft in the Pacific theatre more easily identified at a distance.

I was thinking that some photos that we only know as "circa 1943" could be narrowed down to a more specific set of months in 1943 based on their white ID markings. But I have searched and cannot find any dates of when these different orders were given.

[davidd]

So far as I know Dave, no specific orders have ever been turned up on these particular changes, although they must have existed at the time. Also be aware that all the four cases you mention were of American rather than NZ origin. I am presuming you are only interested in the overseas schemes as opposed to those introduced in NZ by RNZAF, so would not apply to our home-based P-40E Kittyhawks, although the overseas E-models were sometimes implicated.

The white spinners and diagonal wing/tail surface bands, plus vertical fuselage bands must have been applied about May/June 1943, on aircraft at Guadalcanal (1 SU, Kukum strip), but whether those P-40Es at Espiritu Santo (2 SU @ Pallikulo strip) were influenced by these orders is doubtful, at least initially. These exact markings were also carried by USAAF P-40s in the theatre at same time, possibly including a squadron of P-40Fs (although this squadron persisted in using shark's teeth markings, if I remember correctly, sorry Dave!) The P-40s of 1 SU at this time also sometimes wore large letter codes on rear fuselage for some reason (perhaps the black code numbers painted on radiator cowls were too difficult to read when aircraft in formation!), but these soon vanished, may have coincided with the change of colour of the radiator cowl numbers from black to white.

The original white tail must have dated from about September 1943, which coincided with transfer of RNZAF P-40 units from the original South Pacific command to the more northerly (and brand-new) Northern Solomons sub-command (which was an extension of SOPAC Command into the SWPA area, but was entirely supported by SOPAC resources and logistics). Our P-40s were by this stage using both Segi and Barakoma advanced landing strips, and flying over southern Bougainville, etc. in concerted with other NORSOLS aircraft. However the primary base for our P-40s during this period was still Kukum strip (Fighter 2) on Guadalcanal till the move to Munda and Ondonga in October 1943, thence onwards to Torokina on Bougainville in January 1944.

The overall white tail surfaces were still prominent on our two squadrons of P-40s at Ondonga (New Georgia) by late November 1943 (clearly visible in official photographs of 18 Squadron pilots dated around about 25th of the month I think), but they were by now wearing the new white side-bars on their roundels as well. Apparently Air HQ in Wellington were not aware of these new markings till the following month - they always seemed to be the last to learn of these developments on the far flung frontiers of the war! There were subtle changes to the white empennage painting scheme over time, apparently in the interests of ease of application.

The development of red diagonal bands on P-40s of 4 OTU at Ardmore (or more likely following the move to Ohakea in June 1944) was an entirely separate story (at least so far as I can make out!) and was no doubt strongly influenced by this particular aspect of the markings as previously worn in the forward area as much as anything else.

That is about all I have to say on the subject for the moment, except that the airmen tasked with painting on all this white paint in the forward area (they were totally untrained as such, so far as we know) soon got sick of this rather exacting work, and the engineer officer concerned agreed with them that the tropics was not the ideal place to carry out such work, and requested that all further P-40s intended for the forward area have these markings applied under better conditions in New Zealand. I think the later P-40Ms were the first to be ferried from NZ to the islands in July 1943, escorted by Hudsons which also provided the opportunity for an official photographer to get some splendid photos showing these brand new aircraft in their new suits of stripes and diagonals. However the later changes (white tails, addition of roundel side bars), being a American theatre operational order had to be complied with very quickly, which meant that these were applied locally by RNZAF staff (perhaps not quite as onerous as those earlier diagonal wing and tail bands), although later deliveries arrived from New Zealand fully marked (at least so far as I can tell).

One final thought. There is no doubt that the New Zealand P-40s suffered more aggravation by this avalanche of special marking changes than any other RNZAF aircraft involved in the Pacific war theatre, and what is more unusual was that this activity was all crammed within a six-month period, May to November 1943.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks David. Much appreciated. That narrows down the timeline.

[tbf2504]

From air file 20/30/6 April 1943 US issued instructions for the application of the white spinners, diagonal stripes and a change to the US national markings (Adding the white bar)
on 13 July 1943 N0.1 Islands Group advised Air Department that to avoid NZ P40s being fired upon by the US, the same markings should be adopted, but there was a shortage of appropriate "dope" and climatic conditions in the forward
area to immediately apply those markings.

20 July 1943 air department issued instructions that all P40s in forward area were to be painted with:
airscrew spinner and fairing painted white
six inch white band around fuselage between roundel and rear of cockpit upper surface and sides only
six inch white band just aft of fireproof bulkhead, converging on both undercarriage front fairings and continuing on upper and lower surfaces of wing diagonally across planes to outer tips of ailerons not covering roundels
Roundels and Fin Flash
Red in fuselage roundels reduced to 1 inch diameter
One and a half inch (RED) 3/4 inch (White) and one and a half inch Blue for flash

Empanage

From just forward of fin eight inch white band diagonally across upper and lower surfaces of tailplane to outer strip of elevator, from forward fin root diagonally across to the fin and rudder. Eight inch white band to second rib from top of rudder

[Antonio]

Interesting question Dave, Fascinating subject.
Great replies too, I have learnt.
Thanks

[ZacYates]

May 3, 2022 9:57:33 GMT 12 tbf2504 said:

From air file 20/30/6 April 1943 US issued instructions for the application of the white spinners, diagonal stripes and a change to the US national markings (Adding the white bar)
on 13 July 1943 N0.1 Islands Group advised Air Department that to avoid NZ P40s being fired upon by the US, the same markings should be adopted, but there was a shortage of appropriate "dope" and climatic conditions in the forward
area to immediately apply those markings.

20 July 1943 air department issued instructions that all P40s in forward area were to be painted with:
airscrew spinner and fairing painted white
six inch white band around fuselage between roundel and rear of cockpit upper surface and sides only
six inch white band just aft of fireproof bulkhead, converging on both undercarriage front fairings and continuing on upper and lower surfaces of wing diagonally across planes to outer tips of ailerons not covering roundels
Roundels and Fin Flash
Red in fuselage roundels reduced to 1 inch diameter
One and a half inch (RED) 3/4 inch (White) and one and a half inch Blue for flash

Empanage

From just forward of fin eight inch white band diagonally across upper and lower surfaces of tailplane to outer strip of elevator, from forward fin root diagonally across to the fin and rudder. Eight inch white band to second rib from top of rudder

That seems to answer the question very nicely!

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks so much David and Paul for this. Really good info.

[tbf2504]

continuing the evolution of markings in the SWPA. On 5 August Air Department issued instructions to the Engineering Oficcer at RNZAF Kaneohe, that all future deliveries of PV1s were to have the roundels on the upper and lower mainplanes to be identical blue/white/blue
7 August 1943, air department instructs that all P40N aircraft moving from NZ to the forward area are to have the markings as outlined above painted on before departing NZ
9 December 1943, COMAIRSOPAC recommends a white bar be added to the RNZAF roundel
13 December 1943 Air Department issues instructions that for aircraft not leaving NZ markings would not change, but the following aircraft types were to be modified to carry the blue/white/blue roundels with white bars
All aircraft of No.40 Squadron; All TBF aircraft, All RNZAF SBD aircraft, All P40N aircraft allotted to the forward area, All Ventura PV1 or B34 aircraft delivered to the RNZAF
The next day a modification to this instruction was that all P40N aircraft on charge at Nos 3 and 5 S/U (New Zealand) were to have the changes made. The yellow around the fuselage roundel was to be interrupted by the white bar

[Antonio]

"13 December 1943 Air Department issues instructions that for aircraft not leaving NZ markings would not change, but the following aircraft types were to be modified to carry the blue/white/blue roundels with white bars

All aircraft of No.40 Squadron; All TBF aircraft, All RNZAF SBD aircraft, All P40N aircraft allotted to the forward area, All Ventura PV1 or B34 aircraft delivered to the RNZAF"

And of course,

[Antonio]

May 3, 2022 15:21:18 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Thanks so much David and Paul for this. Really good info.

Absolutely 

[Antonio]

May 3, 2022 15:29:41 GMT 12 tbf2504 said:

The next day a modification to this instruction was that all P40N aircraft on charge at Nos 3 and 5 S/U (New Zealand) were to have the changes made. The yellow around the fuselage roundel was to be interrupted by the white bar

Which brings the next question:
2(F) OTU at Ohakea - did they have an SU for their aircraft.
I know that Unit 12 is quoted on some official photographs. 
Reason for asking is that some of their P-40N's did not have the white bars on (at least) the fuselage roundel.

[Dave Homewood]

David will correct me if I am wrong but I think there was just a Maintenance Wing at Ohakea that took care of the aeroplanes of all three OTU's based there.

[aircraftclocks]

I was looking at USN action reports for mention of white markings on allied aircraft.

It appears that some US Corsairs had white cowlings, but I have concentrated on references associated mainly on P40's and other interesting comments.

15 May 1942
On 15 May the United States eliminated the red ball in the center of the insignia of all combat aircraft of the Army and Navy. From this date the insignia will consist of a five-pointed white star within a blue circle. The red, white and blue tail markings will also be eliminated.

27 August 1943 Combat report of VMF-215, COMAIR New Georgia
Remarks: The Tony seen by this flight was brindle brown in color with the usual red meat balls. It has an air scoop underneath the wing like our P-51. Did not think it had a white tail or spinner similar to our P-40. Lt. Woolf saw the same Tony that Maj. Owens saw and made a point to observe it closely. It has stacks coming out of hood. Thinks it had belly tanks. Similar to our P-40. Round wing tips.
It has no white markings at all. Bright red balls on fuselage, large spinner.

.....rounded tips; plane had large spinner and appeared to carry a belly tank similar to the P-40; exhaust stacks projected from the cowling. This plane definitely had no white markings. However during the engagement over Kahili the afternoon of 26 August in which three tony's were destroyed pilots all agree that the Tony's shot down had white spinners and tails similar to our P-40's. Several days ago on 23 August during two engagements with Jap VF, several in-line engine Jap VF were seen all of which were described as having square tips similar to the Hap. It's now believed that there are two type of Jap in-line engine VF operating in this area, and will be referred to in the future as Tony's and square wing-tip Tony's.

USS Langley Action report 14/3 to 22/3 1945
The nature of the attack was advantageous in view of the fact that training runs of the past weeks have been "HOW" and "TARE" type. However, it is significant to note, that had the attacking fighter planes been suicidal, scarcely a carrier in the Task Group would have escaped more serious damage, since nearly all planes crossed their targets before being shot down. The distinctive special white markings on our planes were of great advantage to gunners in recognizing planes in head-on approach.

Action Report for 14 March to 30 April 1945. US Pacific fleet, Commander Carrier division five

IDENTIFICATION OF AIRCRAFT

The painting of an easily recognizable identification marking on VF planes, white cowl marking, was highly successful in the first KYUSHU raids and is recommended as a task force practice in future large scale operations. If markings are put on in white chalk paint they can be changed quickly and often.
The nose cowling marking is probably the best of all such markings, but rings about one foot wide painted around both wings out board of the stub wing section should prove highly satisfactory.
When the Jap fighter strength has been further whittled down, the importance of this means of identification will not be so great, but at this time a continuation of the practice is highly desirable.

[Dave Homewood]

Interesting stuff, thanks.

[davidd]

So far I have seen no evidence that our B-34s ever received side bars on their roundels, either in NZ or overseas. However the only (six) aircraft of this type to be sent overseas (to 4 Squadron in Fiji) were all returned to New Zealand by about October/November 1943, having been considered a big disappointment whilst there, although exact reasons for this belief not specified.

Also please note, have made certain changes to my initial large post, mainly in 3rd and 4th paras.