I’ve done a bit of internet research, as well as looking through some very pricey books dedicated closer to the subject, but I’m having trouble nailing down the possible paint schemes used on Avenger torpedo bombers flying off US aircraft carriers in late WWII. Some of the photos suggest the dark blue top surface with light blue or grey undersurface, while others look like an all navy blue finish.
My wife’s grandfather flew as a radioman / bottom gunner on an Avenger off the CSV Wasp in '44 (VT-14). I’m going to build the Trumpeter kit to send up as a present and I’d like to make the paint scheme as close as possible to what he would have seen. I’ve already got the Wasp’s specific airgroup marking for the wingtips.
Additionally, does anyone know if the air group ‘patch’ symbol was actually painted anywhere on the aircraft? It doesn’t look like it was, but I wanted to be sure. The image for VT-14 was a woman (angel?) falling with a torpedo tucked under each arm.
Keep in mind that you have two basic camouflage types in the WW2 US Navy, Pacific and Atlantic… Since you’re talking about the Wasp, we’ll go with PTO…
Beginning in 1943, the camo changed from the three-color scheme to a two color scheme of Non Specular Sea Blue over White, and in turn, that changed by 1945 to an overall glossy Dark Sea Blue and remained that way until some time after the Korean War-era. BUT… Aircraft were delivered with new camo after the change-dates… Aircraft that were onboard and operational got repainted as time and resources permitted, so you might actually have all three mid/late war schemes in one squadron…
Ditto
I’ve got pics of TBMs over Formosa dated Jan of 45 with the three-tone camo…
As for the unit insignia on the aircraft, some did, some didn’t… Most often it wasn’t (along about the time the Battle of Midway happened) becasue the Navy didn’t want any specific unit-markings on their aircraft, other than tactical shapes & symbols identifying the carrier it belonged to, like the upright arrow for the Bunker Hill…
Was the medium blue over neutral gray an early war scheme on some of the Navy planes. I’ve seen alot of Dauntless’ dressed up like this. Was it ever used on the Avenger or just the Dauntless and such?
In October of 1944, the Navy ordered the change of color schemes from the multicolor camouflage, either tri color or anti sub schemes, to the single color overall sea blue. Mind you this took a longtime to became in place service wide. So as Hans said, even in to mid 1945, Tri color scheme aircraft were seen operational in combat zones. Obviously new production replacement aircraft would arrive in the new scheme. The other point he brought up was the geometric symbol. In late 1944, each carrier air group was assigned a specific geometric shape to identify what carrier the aircraft was flying from. If you have that info already,you should have your biggest hurdle as identifying ship and era covered. Then its just a case of generic white numbers as most aircrew rarely had an assigned full time bird. Although some, but not all, squadrons did carry a squadron insignia in small size near the windscreen.
USN color schemes evolved during WWII. When the war started in 1939 it was the NMF fuselage and lower wings and golden upper wings.
In early 1940, the “Neutrality” scheme of overall light gray appeared.
In Oct. 1941, blue gray upper surfaces was added to the Neutrality scheme.
In mid 1943 the tri color (Sea Blue uppers, Intermediate Blue sides, White lower surfaces) and antisubmarine (Dark Gull Gray upper surfaces, White sides and lower surfaces) schemes appeared.
In Oct 1944, the overall Sea Blue scheme came into service.
Awesome! Thanks for the information, folks. I’m much happier about the tri-color being the likely scheme of VT-14 birds, as the monotone blue looked bland. Interesting that it was purely on a replacement basis that the new scheme came into play… I suppose a few of VT-14’s aircraft may have been replaced later on by the all blue birds, but I’m certainly sticking with the three colors.
I feel silly not just searching for ‘Wasp’ & 1944. I kept searching for VT-14, but it seems that it wasn’t a particularly historically notable squad.
My great uncle was a radioman bottom gunner from VT 14. What is your wifes Granfather’s name? I’d like to see a pic of your project when you’re done. My uncle was shot down 10/13/44. There’s a Pic in the WWII archives of them loading a torpedo on the WASP that day.
I saw your comment in the post about TBF colors in late wwII
You stated your uncle was shot down over Formosa 13 october 1944. My Dad was a turret gunner in a TBF on the USS Wasp. They were shot Down over Formosa on the same Day.
So I was wondering if your Uncle was Walter Wygonik radioman, Thats who my Dad flew with he was the turret gunner. Feel free to contact me at Jcrosssr@aol.com
Nervous energy, what a great project for your wife’s grandfather! I hope that you find the information that you’re looking for regarding the paint scheme. I’ve found that making a model either for a veteran or their family brings me the greatest joy in this hobby, more than winning any award at a contest. Good Luck with this project.
I would love to connect, If his uncle is the guy I thought he saved my dad’s life by literally kicking him out the TBFs door but his uncle didn’t get out and went down with the plane.
There is a program called project recover, they go out and bring home the remains of lost serviceman and I told them that story and they have added that plane to their recovery list.
If you tap on his name,his profile comes up and there is a message button,if he still uses the email he gave FSM,he will see a notification of a message and then he can read and answer if he wants to,or is even alive.
