STANDARD INSIGNIA

a – Standard insignia of the design shown in figure 1, will be placed on all Army Air Forces aircraft. It will be applied so that in normal flight attitude at the airplane, the top star point of the insignia points upward on fuselage surfaces and forward on wing surfaces. Decalcomanias may be used when available.

(1) The standard insignia retains the five-point white star within the blue circle (as formerly). Standard sizes will have diameters of the basic blue circle in multiples of 5 inches, as 20, 25, 30, 35, etc.

(2) The straight line formed on the top edges of the two-star points that are located to the left and right of the upper star point will be extended outward from the blue circle a distance equal to one radius (one-half of the diameter) of the circle. Draw lines at right angles to this line at each end extending downward for a distance equal to one half the radius of the circle. Draw horizontal lines parallel to the first line from the ends of the two vertical lines until they intersect the circle. The area thus created will be painted white.

North American B-25J-5-NC, 43-28088 and 43-3522, of the 447th BS, 321st BG, Ninth Air Force, over Italy in late 1943, Camouflaged, they have red tips to the fins and the three vertical Roman numbers indicate the third squadron of the group. The nearest aircraft has had its neutral gray finish brought up level with the wing and horizontal stabilizer. fUSAF)

Bell XP-59 Airacomet, still not carrying any visible serial number, shows the new red-outlined star insignia in mid-1943. It is seen flying near Muroc Army Air Base. (USAF)

Noorduyn UC-64A-ND, 43-5379, was the 270th built in the first block of 294 aircraft. 749 were acquired by the AAF. Standard camouflage and markings for mid-1943. (Harry Gann)

(3) Using a width one-eighth the radius of the circle, place a border of insignia blue around the entire design

thus formed.

b. For wing insignia, the diameter of the basic blue circle will be the standard size which is nearest to, but does not exceed 75 percent of the distance between the leading edge of the wing and the aileron cutout at the point of application. It should not be greater than 60 nor less than 30 inches in diameter. The insignia specified herein will be placed on the top surface of the left wing and on the lower surface of the right wing with the center of the insignia inboard from each wing tip one-third of the distance from the wing tip to the fuselage, and with the blue border tangent to (touching) the aileron cut-out. The insignia may be moved in a minimum distance necessary where space is not available for the minimum size specified. On biplanes, insignia will be applied only to the upper left wing and lower right wing.

c. For fuselage insignia, the diameter of the insignia will be standard size which is nearest to, but not greater than, 75 percent of height of fuselage at the point of application. The diameter of the basic blue circle should be not less than 20 inches, or greater than 50 inches. These will be placed and maintained on each side of the fuselage near midway between the trailing edge of the wing and leading edge of the horizontal stabilizer, but may be moved to the rear (or forward) of the midpoint to avoid turrets or other plastic material. The insignia may extend over doors and emergency exits, but shall not extend over windows or openings which would change the insignia pattern. If the fuselage section, as described herein, is not large enough to accommo date the minimum size specified, the fuselage insignia may be placed on such other parts of the fuselage as will permit its being readily seen from the side. On aircraft assigned to AAF Training Command, if insufficient space is available for both insignia and Field identifying numerals, the fuselage insignia may be omitted.

2. ORGANIZATIONAL INSIGNIA.

a. The placing of organization markings or design (approved by the War Department as outlined in Army Air Forces Regulation 35-32) will be the responsibility of the organization itself. Depots will not be required to reproduce this insignia.

b. No specific locations are mandatory, but points between wing and tail surfaces on opposite sides of the fuselage are considered most desirable. In no case will size of insignia exceed 75 percent of height of fuselage at point of application. Similar planes in the same organization will have the same size insignia.

c. If applied to other than smooth surfaces, insignia may be painted on thin aluminum sheet and bolted or screwed securely to rigid members of the airplane.