Another odd example was the A-1 Skyraiders acquired from the Navy for use in Vietnam--they had USAF serial numbers constructed by taking the plane's Navy serial number (Bureau Number) and prefixing in front of it the fiscal year number in which the plane was ordered by the Navy. RE F-105D USAF 44 TFSq, 355 TFWg Takhli Early designations showed a relationship between the code and the location of the wing. Different units located at the same air base can use different 2-letter codes. Tom Wagner's Varieties: A Gardener's Guide HP F-100D/F USAF 355 TFS, 37 TFW Phu Cat 1966 - 69 The 32 TFS maintained the CR tail code after AFM66-1. Since 1993, the U.S. Air Force (USAF), Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard (ANG), except Air Mobility Command (AMC) aircraft, utilize this format in all tail codes: two large letters, followed by two digits printed in a smaller text size, followed by three more digits printed in a larger text size. OC F-4D USAF 13 TFSq, 432 TRWg Udorn Just one more little bit of tail code info : When the 20th. Operating out of Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB) in northern Thailand, the 432nd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing (TRW) is probably one of the lesser known Air Force units that participated in the Vietnam War, despite the fact that for most of its existence at Udorn, it was unique among Air Force wings. These mark-ings were to be painted on both sides of the vertical tail surfaces, as well as the upper right and lower left wing tips. WA F-4E USAF 414 FWSq, 57 FWWg Da Nang TDY from Nellis Jan thru Feb 72. SB F-4E USAF 335 TFSq, 4 TFWg Ubon TDY from Seymore-Johnson Apr 73 thru Sep 73 ISBN -7864-0084-6. Ed "'Twas a woman who drove me to drink, and I never had the courtesy to thank her for it." W. C . Apparently the C stood for Camp New Amsterdam which was the name given to the part of the Dutch base from where the USAF operated. In this article, we aim to point you in the right direction in regards to the correct identification of US Air Force Colors used in WWII. During Vietnam they changed often -- presumably as a security measure. XN F-4C USAF 559 TFSq, 12 TFWg Cam Ranh Bay Deactivated March 1970 Typically, units of different commands co-located at the same base use different codes. I have heard first hand off a USAF strip that had been overrun by the 'northern' forces. 33 Usaf Tail Codes - Free download as PDF File (.pdf), Text File (.txt) or read online for free. WH C-123B/K USAF 309 ACS, 315 ACWg Tan Son Nhut Just brining to the top of the list again in case anyone has any helpfull updates. A color strip with blue, red and yellow might also be incorporated at the top of the fin. There were two exceptions to R, S, T, U and V system. From mid-1962 until the end of the conflict in . HO F-4D USAF 9 TFSq, 49 TFWg Takhli TDY from Holloman May thru Oct 72 Copyright 2023 Airplanes-Online.com, Tail Code LF (Luke AFB), 56th Fighter Wing, on McDonnell-Douglas F-4D Phantom II, ordered in 1966, Serial Number 66-8812, Tail Code SH (Tinker AFB) on F-105D Thunderchief, Air Force Serial Number 62-4360, F-16 Fighting Falcon S/N 80573, Tail Code ET(Eglin AFB), at the Air Force Armament Museum in Florida, Tail section of SR-71A Blackbird, S/N 61-7967, Tail Code BB (Beale AFB), McDonnell-Douglas F-4D Phantom II, S/N 66-8812, Tail Code LF (56th Fighter Wing, Luke AFB), F-4D Phantom II, Serial Number 66-7518, (ACC), B-52H, T-38A, LB, 64th FTW, Reese AFB, Texas (AETC), T-1A, T-37B, T-38A, LF, 56th FW, Luke AFB, Ariz. (AETC), F-16A/B/C/D, LK, 314th AW, Little Rock AFB, Ark. Glasser, Jeffrey D. (1998). (AFRES), A/OA-10A, KS, 81st TW, Keesler AFB, Miss. USAF tail codes are markings usually consisting of letters or numbers applied to the tails of US military aircraft. 531st: 300-349. blue spinner and tail band. And what does the N stand for in LN; 'nuclear' perhaps? (AETC), T-37B, T-38A, AT-38B, CC, 27th FW, Cannon AFB, N.M. (ACC), F-16CD, F-111F, EF-111A, CI, 146th AW, Channel Islands ANGS, Calif. (ANG), C-130E, CO, 140th FW, Buckley ANGB, Colo. (ANG), F-16C/D, CR, 302nd AW, Peterson AFB, Colo. (AFRES), C-130E/H, CS, 21st SPW, Peterson AFB, Colo. (AFSPC), C-21A, CT, 103rd FG, Bradley IAP, Conn. (ANG), A/OA-10A, DB, 94th AW, Dobbins ARB, Ga. (AFRES), C-130H, DC, 113th FW, Andrews AFB, Md. U.S. Air Force Air Mobility Command (AMC) aircraft do not use the two-letter identiication number. The codes were LA, (4th TFS) LC, (421st TFS) and LF. Standard aircraft fin flashes designate the base and unit the aircraft is from, and the tail number of the aircraft. Warren AFB, Wyo. DOUGLAS C-47D SKYTRAIN. This Squadron's code letters were 'HV'. 2 Test a/c AA - AZ F-4C/D USAF 389 TFSq. Took the words out of my mouth! Just a veryoccasional reference book? Cam Ranh Naval Base is located on Cam Ranh Bay in the province of Khanh Hoa, Vietnam. FF, the tail code of the USAF 1st Fighter Wing, is displayed on this F-15 Eagle. At the same time it isn't one of those books that you'll read for pages at a time to enjoy a story, it is indeed more of a reference book that you'll likely consult whenever you need that certain information. By As a result, the single two-letter tail code now designated entire wing. FY F-4C/D USAF 555 TFSq, 8 TFWg Ubon It's easy! F-100C-1-NA 136 TFS 54-1767 USAF Photo Via Henk Scharringa; F-100C-20-NA 136 TFS 54-1904 Joe Vincent Photo; 188th Tactical Fighter Squadron EO C-47 USAF 5 SOS, 14 SOW Phu Cat 1966 - 71, Physops UP F-4D USAF 35 TFSq, 31 TFWg Korat TDY from Kunsan Oct 72 ZZ F-4C USAF 67 TFSq, 18 TFWg Korat TDY from Kadena Apr thru May 75 amenendezam. WP AC-130H USAF 16 SOS, 8 TFWg Ubon 1974 Tail Code: The Complete History of USAF Tactical Aircraft Tail Code Markings. HB F-4D USAF 389 TFS, 37 TFW Phu Cat 1969 - 70 The DL is Ching Chuan Kang AB, Taiwan assigned to the 776th TAS. USAFline, an aftermarket company based in the United Kingdom, recently added two decal sheets with "Distinctive Unit Aircraft Markings," in 1/72 scale, 24-inch, black and . Anyone have a definitive list/answer? Code Aircraft Unit Location Command; AC: General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon: 177th FW: Atlantic City, NJ: ANG/ACC: General Dynamics F-16D Fighting Falcon: AF: Various: 34 OG: USAF Academy, CO: ANG/ACC: AK: McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle: 3rd Wing: Elmendorf AFB, AK: PACAF: McDonnell . In any case it would not be something to blame on the pilots or the rest of the unit, orders are orders and in certain cases evacuating the aircraft quickly was the best thing to do. BA - BZ F-4C/D USAF 390 TFSq, 366 TFWg Da Nang System discontinued 1969 Two-letter codes were assigned directly to wings. OS AC-47D USAF 4 SOS, 432 TRW Udorn 1969 - 70 gtag('js', new Date()); if (escape(top.document.referrer)) I would not call it "occasional" reference though, personally it is one of those books I end up checking quite often. Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Lebanon, Dominican Republic, Panama, Haiti, Somalia, Bosnia, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan Patrick Martin - Tail Code The design should not have too many details. 458th: 550-599. When the tail codes were first used, there were two different systems. Instead, they have the name of the base written in a tail stripe, along with the serial number. However, sometimes when sliced open, white rings can appear in the flesh, a disorder known as "internal white tissue." Three proud tails of C-130E aircraft in protective revetments at Tan Son Nhut Airbase Vietnam in 1972. SC F-4E USAF 336 TFSq, 4 TFWg Ubon TDY from Seymore-Johnson Apr 73 thru Sep 73 CA - CZ F-4C/D USAF 480 TFSq, 366 TFWg Da Nang Adopted Wing/Squadron designator sys 1969 This is not the same as the serial number, bureau number, or aircraft registration which provide unique aircraft . [photo by Robert D Young], DR C-130E USAF 346 TASq, 314 TAWg CCK 1966 - 71. (AFSPC), UH-1N, MN, 133rd AW, Minn.-St. Paul IAP/ARS, Minn. (ANG/ACC), C-130E, MO, 366th Wing, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho (ACC), F-15C/D/E, F-16C/D, KC-135R, B-1B, T-38A, MS, 934th AW, Minn.-St. Paul IAP/ARS, Minn. (AFRES),C-130E, MT , 5th BW, Minot AFB, N.D. (ACC), B-52H, T-38A, MT , 91st MG, Minot AFB, N.D. (AFSPC), HH-1H, MX, 908th AW, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (AFRES), C-130H, MY, 347th FW, Moody AFB, Ga. (ACC), F-16C/D, A-10A, C-130E, NF, 914th AW, Niagara Falls IAP/ARS, N.Y. (AFRES), C-130H, NJ, 108th ARW, McGuire AFB, N.J. (ANG/AMC), KC-135E, NM, 150th FG, Kirtland AFB, N.M. (ANG/ACC), F-16C/D, NO, 926th FW, NAS JRB New Orleans, La. All CVEGs, MCVGs and VCs assigned to ships of the Escort Carrier Force, Pacific, were to carry these designs. Lots of exclusive photographs and an incredible amount of history. So actually only the first letter really seems to be significant somehow. Welcome to HyperScale's Discussion, Picture Posting & Trading Forums. Has someone full list of USAF tail codes. 366 TFWg Da Nang Each Squadron a/c had specific letter designator (AETC), C-12F, C-21A, KT, 403rd Wing, Keesler AFB, Miss. CS Tail Code: USAF 480 TFS / 366 TFW Military Airplane Pictures. . United States Air Force Tail Codes. Current and superannuated USAF tail codes indicate the Wing or Group, generally chosen to signify their base, but parts of a Wing discretely based often adopted their own tail codes. A total of 52 new antennas, associated with the APR-38 radar homing and warning system, were added to the F-4G. By 1972, the Air Force reorganized the tailcode system and began to assign two-letter codes to each wing. The base is the home of the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing which. And note that this didn't happen until 1975, while the unit's "fighting rooster" heraldry was adopted in 1931. I was going to mention that, I recall those also. Most of the balance of pictures posted here of 58th TTW Phantoms still have white tail codes. (ANG/ACC), C-130E, MI, 127th FW, Selfridge ANGB, Mich. (ANG/ACC), F-16C/D, MJ, 35th FW, Misawa AB, Japan (PACAF), F-16C/D, MK, 440th AW, General Mitchell IAP/ARS, Wis. (AFRES), C-130H, MM, 341st MW, Malmstrom AFB, Mont. This Corsair of 354th TFW with tail code MB for Myrtle Beach AFB was flown by Maj. Colin A. Clarke from Korat on a nine-hour rescue support mission on Nov. 18, 1972 over Thanh Ha, Vietnam. FO F-4C/D USAF 497 TFSq, 8 TFWg Ubon 355th Wing, Davis-Monthan AFB. Tail Code Aircraft Branch Unit Location Comments CG A-37B USAF 90 AS, 3 TFW Bien Hoa CK A-37A/B USAF 604 SOS, 3 TFW Bien Hoa Combat Dragon . JB F-105G USAF 17 WWS, 388 TFWg Korat Presumably only includes aircraft involved in Projects Enhance and Enhance Plus . Tail codes are markings usually on the vertical stabilizer of U.S. military aircraft that help identify the aircraft's unit and/or base assignment. The legend also stated that the 18th Wing could never be reassigned to a CONUS base because of this. Marine tail codes do sometimes change temporarily while the unit is embarked on an aircraft carrier or amphibious assault ship. }, Page last modified: JJ F-4E USAF 469 TFSq, 388 TFWg Korat 05-07-2011 02:16:54 ZULU. After the 35th TFW disbanded [number reassigned to the former 432TFW - see WW below] the code has been used intermittently by the Georgia ANG, F-15As at Dobbins AFB and E-8Cs at Robins AFB). A Buzz Number was a large letter and number combination applied to U. S. Air Force planes after World War II and into the early 1960s.. DH C-130E USAF 345 TASq, 314 TAWg CCK 1966 - 71 Unit 5141 Box 20 - INSIGNIA CAMOUFLAGE & STENCIL US MARINE. While the ratio may not be ideal for tomatoes, it can still produce great results with some preparation and understanding of the plant's genetic potential. EF AC-119G USAF 17 SOS, 14 SOWg Nha Trang Shadow The FF code is also used by the co-located, the two-letter state/territorial USPS mailing abbreviation, Full List of U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps Aircraft Tail Codes, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tail_code&oldid=1028602891, Tail Code - The Complete History of USAF Tactical Aircraft Tail Code Markings by Patrick Martin, Published 1994, Hook Code - United States Navy and Marine Corps Aviation Tail Code Markings 1963-1994 by Patrick Martin, Published 1994, This page was last edited on 14 June 2021, at 23:20. HB F-4D USAF 389 TFSq, 12 TFWg Phu Cat 12 TFWg reactivated Phu Cat Mar 70 Carrier air wing (CVW) tail codes denote which fleet the air wing belongs; A for Atlantic Fleet and N for Pacific Fleet. In cases where more than 10,000 aircraft were ordered in a single year (1964, for example), the complete 5-digit sequence number - without FY identification - is used. EC A-1E/G USAF 1 SOS, 14 SOW Nha Trang 1968 So each squadron shared the same tail code when part of the same Wing. These codes are squadron specific and identify neither the squadron's wing nor base air station. Later, two of the squadrons were replaced by two F-4E CONUS squadrons, with the remaining F-4D squadron redesignated the 391st TFS . . CR Tail Code: USAF 32 TFS Military Airplane Pictures. Tom Wagner's varieties of tomatoes have been a hit among gardeners for years. The 35th Tactical Fighter Wing took over as the host unit at Phan Rang on October 10, 1966, being transferred from Da Nang Air Base. Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a . JJ F-105D USAF 34 TFSq, 388 TFWg Korat I've often wondered actually. The 366th arrived at Phan Rang Air Base in March 1966. The U.S. Marine Corps and U. S. Navy share the same system. The Air Force aircraft Serial Number is also usually marked on the tail, in smaller numbers. The list is then in order by location, with a list of units assigned to that location. Two large letters identify the unit (wing/group/organization) that the aircraft is assigned to, or the home base of the unit. The tail codes are listed alphabetically and . EA AC-130A USAF 16 SOS, 14 SOW Nha Trang 1968 The appendix also includes drawings with the offficial size and location of the tail codes and serial numbers taken from the relevant T.O.1-1-4 issues, that is another bonus for the modeller. One option is organic fertilizer made from chicken manure, which can be found at Menard's for a reasonable price of $10.99 per 25-pound bag. I was reading an article about the 81st TFW where it said that the AR tailcode stood for Alconbury Recon. 66-7483 (N430FS) and 66-7505 (N427FS) at ELP in the summer of 1993. The code is sometimes referred to as a "Tail Flash". In the quiet of the Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia sits the U.S. Air Force F-100D "Super Sabre," serial number 56-3440. ANG units usually use the two-letter state/territorial USPS mailing abbreviation as a tail code, though there are exceptions, such as the 110th Airlift Wing using "BC" ("Battle Creek") instead of the "MI" used for other Michigan Air National Guard units. 314 TAWg CCK 1966 - 71 this squadron & # x27 ; S code letters were & x27... Force Air Mobility Command ( AMC ) aircraft do not use the two-letter identiication number Projects! Sb F-4E USAF 414 FWSq, 57 FWWg Da Nang system discontinued 1969 two-letter codes were assigned directly wings... 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N427Fs ) at ELP in the summer of 1993 an incredible amount of History heard... To as a result, the tail, in smaller numbers base is located on cam Ranh base! Air Mobility Command ( AMC ) aircraft do not use the two-letter identiication number code markings only! Use the two-letter identiication number cam Ranh Naval base is the home of the Tactical. A/Oa-10A, KS, 81st TW, Keesler AFB, Miss Air.!: USAF 32 TFS military Airplane Pictures blue, red and yellow might also be incorporated at the of!