Aircraft Markings of the Strategic Air Command, 1946-1953

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In the aftermath of World War II, the Continental Air Command was redesignated as the Strategic Air Command (SAC) as part of a plan to organise the Army Air Forces around three new organisations based on strategic, tactical and air defense missions. Nearly everything about the SAC was secretive–its capabilities, strengths, order of battle and unit identities. Its aircraft were rarely photographed and those images that were captured revealed little information.

This book comprehensively documents SAC tactical aircraft markings from the organisation’s inception in 1946 to the end of the tail-marking era in April 1953, a period when the marking schemes included large tail markings, vivid squadron identification markings and attractive, colourful unit insignia. The SAC’s history is described along with the evolution of its aircraft markings policy; basic definitions on aircraft markings terminology; and individual unit sections on SAC’s bombardment, strategic reconnaissance and fighter groups and wings. The text is heavily illustrated and features many never before seen photographs of SAC aircraft in full war paint.