Deletion of camouflage from Douglas A-20H and К aircraft canceled, July 7,1944

Douglas Aircraft was informed by Material Command on July 7, 1944, that the deletion of camouflage from the A-20H and A-20K. aircraft was canceled.

Requirements for troop carriers, transports, and war-weary and surplus aircraft added by T. 0.07-1-1B, August 5, 1944.

Another change to T. O. 07-1-1 was made, dated August 5, 1944. This added troop carriers and transport aircraft to those that required camouflage on exterior surfaces.

The war situation was reflected in the addition of two new categories of aircraft to section “3. Markings” of the T. O.. This new section read as follows:

g. WAR-WEARY AND SURPLUS AIRCRAFT. – Two-inch letters will be stenciled directly beneath the type, model, and series designation on the fuselage of aircraft (same color as present markings) in the following categories. This stenciling will be ap­plied by activities at which the affected aircraft are now stationed, and will also include affected aircraft received in the future without these markings:

(1) The letter “W” will be stenciled on all war-weary aircraft which have not undergone a complete DIR. The term “WAR – WEARY” applies to any aircraft returned permanently from service in an overseas theater.

(2) The letter “Q” will be stenciled on all war-weary aircraft that are processed through a depot for DIR. This symbol will replace the “W”, which will no longer appear on the aircraft.

(3) The letter “S” will be stenciled on all aircraft which have been declared by Headquarters, Army Air Forces excess to the military requirements or surplus to the W. D. or both. (Reference paragraph 9.a. AAF Regulation 65-86). Under no circum­stances will the letter “S” be used to indicate or be interpreted to mean “storage.” In cases where the symbol “W” or “Q” is required to be placed on the aircraft, the “S” will be stenciled directly after that symbol. Example: “WS” -“OS.”

It should be noted that this order was not strictly adhered to, in that in every photograph of a war-weary aircraft that the author has seen, the letters “WW” were stenciled rather than the required “W”.