VC-8 FM-2

[Greebo]

That would be great Whiteman, thanks for that.

[Devil 505]

Is it possible that the trailing stripe on the rudder is yellow?

[whiteman]

Is it possible that the trailing stripe on the rudder is yellow?
(Image removed from quote.)

I'm 99% positive it's not. If i remember correctly that the tail markings were all white, the bands on the fuselage and wings were either white or yellow and single or double. The rudder markings designate the Carrier group, and the band number and color designate which CV in the group.

[whiteman]

Does anyone know when this type of late war escort carrier scheme was first introduced by the USN? The photos I've seen that are dated all say July or August, just wondering if it might have been mandated earlier than that.

It was mandated in June 1945.

The TBM Devil attached, the tail/rudder marking is white. Now the fuselage strip is yellow according to profiles and that matches the CV marking for the USS Petrof Bay.

[Greebo]

I'm sure the VC-90 TBM's rudder is white, it looks a touch darker than the fixed stab stripe but this is likely down to lighting angles.

Thanks for the date Whiteman, it helps with my historical research on the various escort carriers for these aircraft. Based on this I have decided to skin the CVEG-24 TBM based on the USS Santee. While VC-90 was aboard the USS Petrof Bay prior to the end of the war, the ship was in transit to Pearl Harbor rather than sent into combat. The USS Santee though was stationed off Okinawa for a few weeks in July while the island was still under air attack. Also it ties in with Whiteman's VF-24 F6F-5 skin which has a similar scheme.