D-Day sidebar: Decoding C-47 fuselage and tail numbers

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Bill Huntington
  • 442nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Each of the 442nd TCG's squadrons' aircraft had a two character unit code painted on the fuselage just aft of the cockpit. A third letter, painted on the tail, was the letter of the aircraft itself which enabled it to be recognized among those of its squadron. The initial of this individual letter was also its radio code. 

303rd TCS - J7 

304th TCS - V4 

305th TCS - 4J 

306th TCS - 7H