WWII Aircraft Markings
Every USAAF unit had its own system of markings — tail letters, fuselage codes, geometric symbols, and color schemes that identified group, squadron, and individual aircraft. These tools help you decode those markings for accurate scale models and historical research.
2
Lookup Tools
85+
Units Covered
1942–1945
ETO Coverage
8th Air Force Markings
Interactive LookupIdentify any 8th Air Force bomber or fighter by its tail markings, fuselage codes, geometric symbols, and color schemes. Covers all 40+ bomb groups and 15 fighter groups stationed in England, 1942-1945.
9th Air Force Markings
Interactive LookupInteractive lookup tool for 9th Air Force tactical fighter and medium bomber unit markings. Squadron codes, cowling colors, tail markings, and invasion stripes for the tactical air arm that supported the ground war from D-Day to VE-Day.
Why Markings Matter
Getting the markings right is one of the most satisfying parts of building a WWII aircraft model — and one of the easiest to get wrong. The USAAF used an evolving system of unit identification markings throughout the war, and the details varied by air force, command, theater, and time period.
A B-17 in the 8th Air Force carried a tail letter identifying its bomb group, a fuselage code identifying its squadron, and an individual aircraft letter. A P-47 in the 9th Air Force used squadron codes on the fuselage and often distinctive cowling colors. Understanding these systems lets you build a model that represents a specific aircraft from a specific unit at a specific point in the war.
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