DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

D-l. Markings for Large Seaplanes and Amphibians.

D-la. Wing Tips.-

D-la(l). Wing tip floats and struts shall be painted orange-yellow.

D-la(2). Upper and lower surfaces of both wing tips shall be painted orange-yellow from the wing tip inboard a distance equal to 7 percent of the total wing span (float excluded). A black border 6 inches in width shall be added inboard.

D-lb. Wing, Center Section (Upper Surface Only).

D-lb(l). The upper surface of the center section, including the rear projection portion of the engine nacelles, shall be painted orange-yellow to a distance just outboard of the two inboard engine nacelles, A black border 6 inches in width shall be added outboard.

Lockheed P-80A-1-LO, 44-85004, was the thirteenth one built and was significant as being the first jet fighter to enter service with the AAF. The initial jet fighters for the AAF were puttied all over and finished with a very smooth ANA 602 light gray finish to improve performance. However, this finish quickly became chipped and scarred in service and was soon discarded. (March AFB Museum)

D-lb(2). On the upper surface, the word “RESCUE” shall be superimposed in black. Centered aft of the word “RESCUE”, the appropriate identification numerals and/or letters shall be added. Letters and numerals shall be of the modified vertical block type, uniform in shape and size, and shall be 36 inches high, 27 inches wide, and the width of the individual strokes forming them shall be 6 inches. The spacing between letters shall be 12 inches.

D-lc. Hull.-

D-lc(l). Hull (Rear Section).- A 36-inch orange-yellow band, approximately three feet forward of the leading edge of the hori­zontal stabilizer, shall encircle the aft portion of the hull, but not extend onto the last step or keel. Two 6-inch black stripes shall be added as borders.

D-lc(2). Hull (Forward Section).- On each side of the forward part of the hull and centered between the leading edge of the wing and the bow, an orange-yellow rectangle, whose length shall be equal to three times its height, shall be painted. Atwo-inch black stripe shall border the rectangle. The height of the rectangle shall be 33 percent of the vertical dimension of the projection of the fuselage side at the point of application, except that the height of this rectangle shall be not greater than 36 nor less than 20 inches excluding the border. The rectangle shall be located as near as possible to the center of the vertical projection of the fuselage at the point of application. The national aircraft insignia, which normally would occupy this space, shall be located aft on the hull to clear this marking.

D-lc(2)a. Identification Numbers.- The Air-Sea-Rescue identification numbers and/or letters shall be of the modified vertical block type, uniform in shape and size, and shall be approximately 2/3 of the height of the orange-yellow rectangle. The width of the letters and numerals shall be 3/4 of the height and the width of the individual strokes forming them shall be 1/6 of the height. The letters’and numerals shall be appropriately spaced.

D-lc(3). Hull (Bottom Section).- On the bottom of the hull, between the bow and the main step, and extending from chine to chine, the Air-Sea-Rcscue identification numerals and/or letters shall be painted. The top of the letters and/or numerals shall be at the port chine of the hull. Letters and numerals shall be orange-yellow, bordered by a two-inch black stripe. The width of the letters and numerals shall be 3/4 of the height, and the width of the individual strokes forming them shall be 1/6 of the height. The letters and numerals shall be appropriately spaced.

D-2. Markings for Other Aircraft.- The markings, as specified above, shall be used as appropriate to the size and shape of the aircraft.

Lockheed P-80A-1-LO, 44-85168, 44-85154, 44-85167, 44-85093, 44-85089, and 44-85160 of the 1st FG, being serviced on the ramp at March Field, California, in the summer ofl 946. Two others are flying overhead. The first unit to be equipped with the P-80, it moved to George AFB in July, 1950. (March AFB Museum)

Boeing B-29-55-MO, aircraft 6383 of the famous 509th Composite Group, attached to the 3I3th Wing, Twentieth Air Force, in June 1945. It has black and red bands around the rear fuselage. This aircraft is marked with the group’s arrowhead marking. It is finished in Jet 622 Gloss Black on all lower surfaces. Note the atomic explosion insignia on fuselage. Seen after August, 1945. (USAF via Gerry R. Markgraf)