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Help with US-2B Tracker Markings


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I've got an ongoing build of a US-2B that crashed in a nearby town back when I was a young kid. So far, only one decent picture of her has surfaced:

1897899_1422150018044802_148064250779453331_n_zpse2dc3813.jpg (Pic is courtesy of a great site chock full pics of 60-90's aircraft: https://www.facebook.com/PlanesTrainsShips

This shows my subject aircraft approx 1 year before her fatal crash and prior to the NAS South Weymouth, MA "7Z" station markings being applied to her tail. My question is - once they applied the tail codes, would they have also applied them to the upper starboard wing along with the last three of the Bu No? "176 7Z"? I know this was the protocol for tactical aircraft that had the grey upper surfaces and white lower surfaces, not sure if they would have done this for the reverse paint scheme used by utility aircraft such as this one?

Any info is appreciated.

John

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Whilst on the subject, does anyone know if the horizontal stabs on this version are overall gull grey or white? I originally assumed grey top and bottom but saw a single pic of a restored US-2B that has at least the top surfaces in white. Now when I look at all the pics I can find, it's actually quite difficult to be sure what color these were.

Any info is greatly appreciated.

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Whilst on the subject, does anyone know if the horizontal stabs on this version are overall gull grey or white? I originally assumed grey top and bottom but saw a single pic of a restored US-2B that has at least the top surfaces in white. Now when I look at all the pics I can find, it's actually quite difficult to be sure what color these were.

Any info is greatly appreciated.

The photos that I took of the US-2 on board CVS-12 a couple of years ago clearly shows the horizontal tail (stab, and elevator) painted gloss gull gray to match the wings (which are entirely gray as well). The only white area is on top of the fuselage. I would post the photos here but its too big of a pain with the computer that I'm currently using here at work. The paint scheme is very much like that of some P-3s before they went to an all gray scheme.

Edited by aweber stoofan
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The photos that I took of the US-2 on board CVS-12 a couple of years ago clearly shows the horizontal tail (stab, and elevator) painted gloss gull gray to match the wings (which are entirely gray as well). The only white area is on top of the fuselage. I would post the photos here but its too big of a pain with the computer that I'm currently using here at work. The paint scheme is very much like that of some P-3s before they went to an all gray scheme.

That's great, thank you very much. I've already got them painted in GGG so I'm all set. I thought about checking for pics of P-3's since they seem to have the same scheme but wasn't able to find any good pics that show the P-3 from above.

Now I just need to figure out if I should add those ID markings...

Thanks again,

John

PS - since you are one of the resident Stoof experts, can you answer a question? For an unoccupied S-2, would the tail "bumber wheel" be in contact with the ground or hovering a few inches / feet above? For the US-2 above, it looks like it's in contact with the tarmac, in other shots, it's clearly above. My build is clearly going to be a tail sitter so if the wheel actually touches the tarmac that will be a good thing for me.

Edited by 11bee
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That's great, thank you very much. I've already got them painted in GGG so I'm all set. I thought about checking for pics of P-3's since they seem to have the same scheme but wasn't able to find any good pics that show the P-3 from above.

Now I just need to figure out if I should add those ID markings...

Thanks again,

John

PS - since you are one of the resident Stoof experts, can you answer a question? For an unoccupied S-2, would the tail "bumber wheel" be in contact with the ground or hovering a few inches / feet above? For the US-2 above, it looks like it's in contact with the tarmac, in other shots, it's clearly above. My build is clearly going to be a tail sitter so if the wheel actually touches the tarmac that will be a good thing for me.

Unless the main struts aren't where they should be, or an engine has been removed, the tail wheel doesn't touch the ground on the US-2. Normally an easy 10" or more above the ramp is normal.

Edited by aweber stoofan
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I've got an ongoing build of a US-2B that crashed in a nearby town back when I was a young kid. So far, only one decent picture of her has surfaced:

This shows my subject aircraft approx 1 year before her fatal crash and prior to the NAS South Weymouth, MA "7Z" station markings being applied to her tail. My question is - once they applied the tail codes, would they have also applied them to the upper starboard wing along with the last three of the Bu No? "176 7Z"? I know this was the protocol for tactical aircraft that had the grey upper surfaces and white lower surfaces, not sure if they would have done this for the reverse paint scheme used by utility aircraft such as this one?

Any info is appreciated.

John

This should do it for upper right wing. Note that the tail code and side number were also marked on the bottom of the wing in some instances.

US-2%20South%20Weymouth_zps1rksqjwq.jpg

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This should do it for upper right wing. Note that the tail code and side number were also marked on the bottom of the wing in some instances.

US-2%20South%20Weymouth_zps1rksqjwq.jpg

Great picture Tommy, shows some nice weathering on an active duty US-2. I'll be adding those markings to "my" US-2B. I've got a pic of my subject the day before it crashed, showing it in flight. Nothing except the stars and bars on the lower wings.

Coincidentally, the Tracker above was a sister bird to "176", note the 7Z code. Both were assigned as NAS South Weymouth station hacks at the time that 176 crashed.

Thanks again for posting.

Edited by 11bee
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