VT-10 Markings

By that point in the war, US Navy markings were very generic, mainly for security reasons. The aircraft itself would be Blue Gray over Gray with six position stars and black individual aircraft numbers. Some squadrons had a small squadron insignia painted below the windscreen. But the days of squadron number type and plane number were gone (e.g. 8-T-1) I will check my references late tonite to see if I have any specific VT-10 stuff.

Ok, I looked thru every book I have that potentially would have such photos. None show any from VT-10. That aside, VT-10 was the squadron that did the field mod upgrades to the TBF that became the TBF-1C. VT-10 put a .50 cal MG, ammunition, and interruptor gear externally on each wingroot of the commanders aircraft. The design was forwarded to Grumman's Tech Rep in Hawaii and later modified to the TBF-1C. Production of the -1C began on 12 July,1943. By this time, the tri color camo scheme (ordered on 5 jan 1943) and new national insignia with red outline (in use from June-Sept 43) would have been applied on factory built TBM-1Cs.

So a late 42/early 43 VT-10 TBF would actually be a TBF-1 with a single cowl mounted MG (except the CO's bird) in the Blue Gray over Gray scheme, six position star/blue circle national insignia. These are definite. The following is based on photos as probable: black aircraft ID number, usually worn on fuselage sides around 18" size possibly also with smaller aircraft number on lower front of cowling or inner wing leading edge. No photos of any TBF in my references show a squadron insignia worn during this time period in combat zones.

this photo is purportedly a VT-10 TBF during the Santa Cruz Battle (Oct 42) preparing to launch from Enterprise. As you can see it does not reveal much aside from the camo scheme worn at that time.

 

Many thanks for the info.  You would think there would be much more info (drawings & Pics)available re this subject via the Internet but it ain't so.  There must be a book of spec's somewhere in Grumman's archives that lays all this stuff out, including the F-4 and the F-6.  They did build thousands of 'em!

Thanks again. 

Baysider

the basic paint schemes and markings can be found without too much difficulty in books. Navy Markings were very generic. The difficulties are in tracking down particular markings for air groups and squadrons depending upon the time period. Hope I was helpful to you here!

 

My photo refs only get up to VT-6 on Enterprise at Midway........I can help with paint, but I have nothing on Sq. insignia or individual markings. 

The markings should be much the same as these SBD's. 

You would have to find the air group markings.

I hope this helps a bit.

 

Many thanks for your efforts.  Gotta wonder how the kit makers come up with the info for their individual squadron decal sets. 

REGARDS

Baysider 

 

Most kit makers I have been able to track down at least one photo of Navy aircraft depicted soemwhere. Especially in books. Online has been hit or miss. One rule of thumb I have come down to on any Enterprise aircraft in 1942, their aircraft were very plainly marked squadronwise, with the exception of their F4Fs in the Solomons. But basicly national insignia,, stenciling, and individual aircraft number, as prescribed by current regs. Other carriers' aircraft tended to deviate more in their markings.