A B-17 with squadron code 2G

This is an incomplete list of squadron codes used by United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) aircraft operating in Europe during World War II.

Squadron codes

For each squadron code—painted on the plane's fuselage—the associated bombardment squadron (BS) is listed, along with the squadron's bombardment group (BG). Most commonly, a group would have four squadrons. Also listed is the group's tail code—the noted letter would appear inside the geometric shape (for example, ▲J means the letter J would appear inside a triangle). Some squadrons and groups also used specific color bands on the wings or empennage of their aircraft; such colorings are not presented here.

Notes:

• 381st BG: some squadrons were assigned more than one code
• 482d BG: Pathfinder squadrons with variable use of codes
• Some squadrons used colors rather than characters; these are listed below

A B-24 with squadron code 2C, denoting the 838th Bombardment Squadron of the 487th Bombardment Group (tail Square P)

A B-17 with squadron code LL, denoting the 401st Bombardment Squadron of the 91st Bombardment Group (tail Triangle A)

A B-17 with squadron code VE, denoting the 532d Bombardment Squadron of the 381st Bombardment Group (tail Triangle L)

A B-17 with squadron code WF, denoting the 364th Bombardment Squadron of the 305th Bombardment Group (tail Triangle G; obscured in photo)

Source:^[1]

Color codings

Notes:

• 457th BG: colors on propeller hubs
• 388th BG: two black bands on tail and wing (all squadrons)

A B-17 of the 385th Bombardment Group (tail Square G)

Color	BS	BG	Tail
Black *	560th	388th	■H
Black *	561st	388th	■H
Black *	562d	388th	■H
Black *	563d	388th	■H
Blue *	548th	385th	■G
Blue *	749th	457th	▲U
Green *	551st	385th	■G
Red *	550th	385th	■G
Red *	748th	457th	▲U
White *	750th	457th	▲U
Yellow *	549th	385th	■G
Yellow *	751st	457th	▲U

See also

• List of RAF squadron codes
• USAAF unit identification aircraft markings

References

External links

• USAAF Training Aircraft Fuselage Codes of WW II