I'm trying to determine the aircraft markings employed by each squadron
assigned to the 27thFG circa Jun'43-Jan'44. This was the period in which
the group was flying P-40's. Other than the red vertical stabilizers displayed
by the 523d FS, did any of the other two squadrons carry distinctive individual
unit markings?

Any input on this matter will be greatly appreciated.

R. Watkins

This may not help but it's a picture of a P-47 from the 27th FG, 524th FS.  Probably somewhere in Italy in 1944.

[image]local://upfiles/15108/4FCD4C53270F4CD4A594C7693838F5ED.jpg[/image]

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This is later in the war than I'm looking for but it's an interesting
photo nevertheless. Do you happen to know the significance of
the the large question mark on the tail.

Bob

Hello,
 
The Question Mark is the plane in Squadron Letter.
 
The 27th Fighter Group used from June 44 plane in Squadron letters as it had done previously with the A36's.
Numerals were also used when there were more than 26 a/c in the Squadron at one time.
The 522 Fighter Squadron used a Red Horizontal tail stripe, red a/c letter on the fusilage side or tail and had red spinner while on P47's alternate Cowling shutters were red.
The 523Fighter Squadron wore Medium Blue and the 524th Fighter Squadron wore Yellow markings outlined in Black but had Black a/c letters.
 
As the P40 was not with the Group for very long I expect that few a/c were marked as outlined above as they got the P47 in June of 44.
They had the A-36 until the Spring of 44 these a/c wore the a/c letter in White on fuselage side and a diagonal white stripe on the tail ( Forward =Top, Aft = bottom).
It is most possible that the markings carried by these A-36's were continued on with the P-40's.
 
Alex

Knew I'd seen this one before!  Looks like "Jacquie" came to a bad end at Tarquinia.
 
(Photo from 347th Fighter Squadron history)


[image]local://13554/BB0CFD6EB5A6412B905DAAE4DDD02A65.JPG[/image]

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Grandson of 1st Lt. Bernell A. "Barney" Forster (1921-2007)
347th Fighter Squadron/350th Fighter Group