Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Copy 3
~~FM
30-30
UNC-AiFIIre9 /Sep
/Jo
WAR DEPARTMENT
MILITARY INTELLIGENCE
IDENTIFICATION OF
U. S. GOVERNMENT AIRCRAFT
Rq~AED
UNCLASSIFIED aY
,o~DOD
O .
. 1R
FM 30-30
BASIC FIELD MANUAL
MILITARY INTELLIGENCE
IDENTIFICATION OF
U. S. GOVERNMENT AIRCRAFT
UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON: 1940
WAR DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, September 18, 1940.
FM 30-30, Military Intelligence, Identification of U. S. Government Aircraft, is published for the information and guidance of all concerned.
[A. G. 062.11 (8-3-40) .]
BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR:
G. C. MARSHALL,
Chief of Staff.
OFFICIAL:
E. S. ADAMS,
Major General,
The Adjutant General.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION I. GENERAL.
Paragraph Page
Purpose -________
_________--------1
1
Necessity _________________________._
2
1
Training ---------__________________
3
1
Methods of identification____________
4
1
Use of field glasses___________________
5
2
Classification of aircraft_ ___________
6
2
Types of U. S. Government airplanes__
7
3
II.
VISIBLE FEATURES.
Distinctive markings________________
-8
Characteristio features _____________
Analysis of visible features noted_____
Overhead flight_____________________
Passing flight_______________________
Coming or going flight_______________
Maneuvering flight__________________
Influence of flight conditions___-_____
III. METHODS OF OPERATION.
Pursuit airplanes _____-___-__-----_
Heavy and medium bombardment airplanes ____________.-------------Light bombardment airplanes ------Corps and division reconnaissance
airplanes-________________________
Observation and liaison airplanes_____
IV. SOUNDS.
General ------___________----------Pursuit airplanes __________________Heavy and medium bombardment airplanes____________________________
Light bombardment airplanes________
Other types_________________________
ILLUSTRATIONS OF AIRPLANES __________-___________
HII
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
6
10
10
12
13
14
14
15
16
15
17
18
15
15
19
20
16
16
21
22
16
16
23
24
25
17
17
17
19
_5~srpreoD
FM 30-30
GENERAL
E 1. PURPOSE.-The purpose of this manual is to serve as a
guide in the identification of United States Government aircraft.
4-6
MILITARY INTELLIGENCE
6-7
STATES
GOVERNMENT
AIRPLANES.-a.
bimotored. It is used for escort and patrol duty near important objectives and against ground-troop concentrations. It
is highly maneuverable.
(2) Bombardment airplanes are classified as heavy, medium, and light.
(a) Heavy and medium bombardment airplanes are designed to carry heavy bomb loads to great distances for attack of material objectives, and also to conduct long-range
strategic reconnaissance over land and sea. They are large
airplanes, having two or more engines, and their maneuverability is less than other combat types. They usually operate
in formation when on bombing missions. On reconnaissance
missions they usually operate singly.
(b) Light bombardment airplanes (formerly designated as
attack) are designed to attack material objectives of light
construction, routes of communication and supply, airdromes,
troop movements, and concentrations of troops in the open or
under light shelter. Light bombardment airplanes are medium-sized airplanes with one or two engines. They have
considerable maneuverability and normally operate in formations at low and medium altitudes. Light bombardment is
3
MILITARY INTELLIGENCE
IDENTIFICATION
personnel. However, personnel on duty in oversea possessions, units engaged in joint operations, and personnel on
duty near naval air stations must be able to identify Navy
as well as Army aircraft. In the Navy lines of demarcation
between special types of combat aircraft for particular classes
of missions are not so sharply drawn as in the Army. For
example, nearly all fighter (pursuit) types may also be employed as light bombers and are designed and equipped for
such missions; nearly all scout, observation, and patrol types
are designed and equipped to perform medium or heavy
bombardment missions; others are equipped as torpedo
planes, as well as for patrol missions. Bearing in mind this
overlapping of types and functions, combat types of Navy
airplanes may be classified as follows:
(1) Fighters (class VF) are single-engine planes designed
for operation from aircraft carriers. They include both
biplane and monoplane types with performance characteristics generally similar to pursuit airplanes of the Army;
i. e., high speed, high ceilings, high rate of climb, and a high
degree of maneuverability. They may also be employed as
light bombers. Their tactical operations and formations are
similar to those of Army pursuit airplanes.
(2) Bombers, scout bombers, and scouts (class VB-VSBVS) are single-engine landplanes designed for carrier operation to perform any of the missions indicated by their designation. They include both biplane and monoplane types.
They are slightly larger than the fighter types, with less speed,
lower ceilings, and greater range. They operate in formations
or singly, depending on their missions.
(3) Observation and scouts (class VOS-VSO) are both
landplane and seaplane types, single-engine, and include
both biplanes and monoplanes. The landplanes are designed
for carrier operation, while the seaplane types operate from
battleships and cruisers. Their normal missions are scouting, observation, and spotting of naval gunfire. They are
characterized by relatively low speeds, medium operating
ranges, and medium ceilings. They normally operate singly
at medium or low altitudes.
(4) Patrolbombers (class VPB) are large flying boats with
two or four engines and wing spans in excess of 100 feet.
5
7-8
MILITARY INTELLIGENCE
They include both biplane and monoplane types. They operate singly or in formations, from low to high altitudes,
depending upon the type of mission upon which they are
engaged.
(5) Torpedo, bombers (class VTB) are medium-sized, single-engine monoplanes, land type, designed primarily as
torpedo planes to operate from aircraft carriers. They normally operate in formation.
(6) Other types.-The Navy has also a considerable number of noncombat airplanes. The bulk of these are training
planes, both seaplane and landplane types. Others are transports and utility planes of various kinds, including landplanes, seaplanes, flying boats, and amphibians.
d. United States Coast Guard airplanes.-The United
States Coast Guard operates a considerable number of airplanes for seaward patroling, rescue work, and other activities connected with its peacetime functions. In time of
war, the Coast Guard becomes a part of the Navy. Coast
Guard airplanes are mostly of the seaplane or amphibian
types. They vary in size from small-type landplanes to
large, long-range, twin-engine patrol planes. They include
both biplanes and monoplanes. Army personnel on duty
in the vicinity of Coast Guard air stations should become
familiar with the Coast Guard airplanes operating therefrom.
e. United States Forest Service airplanes.-The United
States Forest Service operates a few airplanes-they are
high-wing cabin monoplanes designed for good visibility forward and down. They are painted forest green and are
marked with the United States Forest Service insignia.
The airplanes used by other United States Government
agencies are usually commercial types operating under
contract.
SECTION II
VISIBLE FEATURES
* 8. DISTINCTIVE MARKINGS.-a. Airplanes of the United
States
Wing
GD
O U. S. Army.
U. S. Navy.
USCG
U. S. Coast Guard.
FIGURE 1.-Distinctive markings and insignia.
256879--40
(Face p. 6)
LEADING\ no
OEDGE
WING
TRIMMING TABS
EDGE
WING
\/STABILIZER
\MRIN
WING
FIGUE
2NINTAK
e
AILERON
pTs
-F/E 2Nom
ofairWING
latre
FIGTRE 2.-Nomenclature
of airplane parts.
TIP
MILITARY INTELLIGENCE
STRAIGHT
ROUND TIP
S WEPT BACK
_oSWEPTBACK
TAPERED
RAKED
TIP
ELLIPTICAL
DENTIFICATION OF U.
S. GOVERNMENT AIRCRAFT
T APERED
SQUARE TIP
iEDRAL
TAPERED
OUTER
SECTION
S RAI
INNER
SECTION
INNER
_NEGATIVE
TAPERED
TO
ROOT AND TIP
FIGURE 3.-Wing shapes-Continued.
DIHEDRAL
8-10
MILITARY INTELLIGENCE
distinctive markings can be detected. This is done by recognition and analysis of characteristic visible features.
U 9. CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES.--For the most part the char-
acteristic features of airplanes in flight, visible to ground observers, are distinctive variations in the type of construction
and arrangement of the major elements of the airplane
structure. It is necessary, therefore, that all persons concerned with the problem of aircraft recognition be familiar
with the appearance of the more important types of airplane
structures and such of their major component parts as are
normally visible in flight. Figures 2 and 3 illustrate these
structures and features.
* 10. ANALYSIS OF VISIBLE FEATURES NoTED.-Observers should
HIGH-WING
MIDWING
LOW-WING
(PARASOL MONOPLANE)
FI"ImRE 4.-Monoplanes.
11
10
10-11
MILITARY INTELLIGENCE
to the observer. In this position of flight, the major surfaces of wings, fuselage, and tail will generally not be presented to view.
(2) Passing flight or side view.-All flight positions in
which the side of the fuselage, vertical fin, and rudder are
the major surfaces presented to view. In passing flight, the
size, shape, and location of wings and horizontal tail surface will generally be indistinguishable.
(3) Flight at lower altitude or top view.-All flight positions in which the upper sides of wings, fuselage, and horizontal tail surface are the major surfaces presented to view.
(4) Overhead flight or bottom view.-All flight positions in
which the under sides of wings, fuselage, and horizontal tail
surface are the major surfaces presented to view.
(5) Maneuvering flight or perspective view.-Positions of
flight which vary materially from those generally assumed in
normal rectilinear flight; it includes banking, turning, climbing, diving, and all combinations of such maneuvers. A
maneuvering airplane may present to view, momentarily, at
least, nearly all of the aspects visible in other flight positions.
* 11. OVERHEAD FLIGHT.-a. Shape of wing.-Characteristic
shapes of wings are readily apparent in virtually all positions of overhead flight. The general shape and proportion
of wings, as long and narrow, short and stubby, etc., should
be noted.
b. Type and shape of nose.-Note whether nose extends
much or little in advance of leading edges of wings; i. e.,
whether plane is long-nosed or short-nosed.
c. Relative length and shape of fuselage.-In overhead
flight the contour of the fuselage is not outstanding as an
indication of identity. However, comparison of the relatively
short fuselage lengths of small- and medium-sized airplanes
with the long, slender, streamlined appearance of those in
larger ships sometimes gives valuable clues to the recognition
of certain types. This is a characteristic feature which
should always be considered.
d. Location and number of engines.-(1) It is usually possible in overhead flight, except at very great altitudes, for an
observer with field glasses or equivalent optical instruments
to determine whether an airplane is a single or multiengine
12
11-12
12-14
MILITARY INTELLIGENCE
15-18
METHODS OF OPERATION
* 16. PURSUIT AIRPLANES.-As stated in paragraph 6, pursuit
airplanes normally operate in formations. The squadron of
18 airplanes is usually the largest group to be seen as a single
unit in the air. When two or more squadrons are operating
together, the other squadron formations will be seen usually
echeloned to the rear and well above the leading squadron.
Pursuit formations normally fly at high altitudes, and hence
are difficult to see. An observer noting one pursuit formation
should look above it and to the rear to discover whether or
not there are other units with the formation.
* 17. HEAVY AND MEDIUM BOMBARDMENT AIRPLANES.-Heavy
and medium bombers flying over friendly territory will generally be seen, both going out and returning from their missions, in route column formations. This is a column of threeplane elements, with successive elements stepped up or down
from front to rear. Such formations will usually be seen
flying straight courses at medium or high altitudes.
* 18. LIGHT BOMBARDMENT AIRPLANES.-a. Light bombers nor-
15
18-22
MILITARY INTELLIGENCE
airplanes
SOUNDS
* 21. GENERAL.---.
The sound of airplanes in flight is frequently the first indication of their presence. Observers hearing such sounds should immediately search the sky in the
direction of the apparent source of the sound. They should
also note carefully the characteristics of such sounds in order
to connect them with the types of airplanes observed.
b. Recognition of airplane types by sound alone is difficult and uncertain except for highly skilled observers who
have constant practice. However, most persons can readily
recognize the difference between the sounds made by a single
airplane and those made by a formation. They can also, be
trained to detect the more outstanding differences in the
sounds made by different types of airplanes by noting carefully such things as the rhythm, volume, tone, and variations in these. This training can be accomplished only by
actual experience and by a conscious effort to analyze these
sound effects at every opportunity.
22-25
17
4.4~~~~~~~~~
Ul
Cd
* 4~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~P
4 4~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~4V
bb~
4
4~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~P
4"
W)C
CdC
Cd
;cd
cu
19
UNITED STATES
ARMY
PURSUIT
SEVERSKY P-35
BOTTOM VIEW
PERSPECTIVE VIEW
FRONT VIEW
SIDE
VIEW
TOP VIEW
Se verskg
SCALE
~2
IN FEET
05
10
20
15
20
cdy
al
C)
I-4
W!?4,
-
C.)
256879 40
21
UNITED STATES
ARMY
PURSUIT
CURTISS P-36
FRONT VIEW
TOP VIEW
-urrIss
P-36
SCALE vN FEET
22
t0
20
~~~~~~~~~~~
i?
2Z
r
O~
00
HH
0
~4
cog
bC3
ccn
23
PURSUIT
LOCKHEED P-38
UNITED STATES
ARMY
DOTTOM VIEW
VIEW
FIONT.
SIDE VIEW
Lockheed P-38
5 o
SCALE IN'FIET
25
0o , 'o
5
24
)50
a,
Vz
Caa
g
4
Cs"
U'
Cas
251
E
a,
FaS l S
0
lE
85i
* 03zA
"a)
U)
5et
U'
25
UNITED STATES
ARMY
PURSUIT
BELL P-39, P-39A, P-39C
10OTTOM VIEW
PERSPECTIVE VIEW
FRONT VIEW
SIDE VIEW
TOP VIEW
Bell. P39,P-39AP-39C
SCALE IN FEET
5
26
20
Ca
4I-4
4s
bi2
Qw
CsC
P4
bfl
27~~~~~~~~~(
P4
o
01
27
UNITED STATES
ARMY
PURSUIT
CURTISS P-40
IOTTOl
?EQ5FECTIVE
VIEW
VIEW
FROT VIEW
51Ds
VIEW
TOP VIEW
Curliss P-4O
5
28
o0
15
20
0
co
44:d;-~4
Cd
4~~~~~~~~~~~~~mc
c.
29
2g
MULTIPLACE FIGHTER
BELL YFM-1, F'M-IA
UNITED STATES
ARMY
VIEW
-soTrT
PERSPEC1TIVEVIEW
SIDE VIEW
TOP
ViEW
SC^LE IN FEET
5
30
20
5o
35
-o
cd
0 CS
0~
1lzP
to CS
Ca2
31~~~~~~~~4
ro
CU)
n~~~~~~a~~~~~~~
~ ~ ~~~~~
~
~~~S~~~Et~~~~~lrz
H~~~~~~c
c
L
P~~~~~.
CD
BOMBARDMENT
BOEING B-17, B-17A, B-17B
UNITED STATES
ARMY
sopr
32
vlrw
0
NMI~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.
C.)
E~~~~~~~~:~
~
~
0
'(D
0.z
Cd
.-
.0
C,).
*1
bom
Cs
~~~~~z
33 ~
33
UNITED STATES
ARMY
BOMBARDMENT
DOUGLAS B-18
BOtTOM VIEW
PEPECTI VVIEW
TIOEVIEW
DoCL~as
IB-i8
SC ALE IN FEET
5 05
0
34
0o25 30 35
45 70
Cd
LI
D0)
-4-
co
0Z
~~L)'
~~~::i?::E:`"~
~
~
r$Sg~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~r
4.g
:
if:M
E~~~~~~~~~~~~
::s~~~~~~~~::i~~~~~~~~a
ibi
0)
c
Q)
x0
:-:-::
a~~~~~~~~~~
35~~~~~~~~~~~C
35
UNITED STATES
ARMY
BOMBARDMENT
DOUGLAS B-18A
eEo.VC
VIEW
FRONT VIEW
SlDe VIEW
M-I8A
TOP VIEW
Douglas
scALe IE FeT
0 1 to
5
36.
55
3
0
50
bn
ul
Cd
0S
~ ,~
;;;i:;,,
z
H
d-
b.D05
E
UI c
[-4 j
i)5
i~~~~~~~~4~~~~4
i o
~~~~~~~0
Ccc
.0
,..o
~~~~~~~
cd
~3*~7
~
3ff
BOMBARDMENT
DOUGLAS B-23
UNITED STATES
ARMY
I-
PE .SP~VvE ____
F aNT WIeW
TOP VSEI'
81SC0
L4 NFEET 2
38
4jr
C d
~~~~
~ ~ ~ ~
4
f~~i
~
s-:tc
44
:B:
4444~~~~~~~~~~Eo
U
~~~~~~~~~~
~~0
Mm
eZ0
0o
4~~~~~~~~~~~~~
i:
_~~~~~~~~ZC
P~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~V
39l
44~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Q
S~~f~~:.
o3
UNITED STATES
ARMY
BOMBARDMENT
B-24, B-24A CONSOLIDATED
OTTOM VIEW
PERSPECTIVE VIEW
SIDE VIEW
TOP VIEW
ConsolieB-4,3ZA4A
SCALE I FEET
0 5 tOt5 207)0)
40
5 045 50
444
b.C
N44~444<
4444 4'"44
4 U
g4*
k 44g >o
,4
44:
414
44
44444<
44 @,
4a* 4444~~ z
LIGHT BOMBARDMENT
NORTHROP A-17
UNITED STATES
ARMY
v,~w
*ON*
TOY V,W
No,4hrOg-A-t7
5
10
42
'5
I0
I5
.~~~~~~,~
:i
p !ii!i
cc/l
P4 0
, ~
~ "ii!~
i
.ii~!
**~,,,,'~*~~.~
~
,,~ ~
00
0~,~a
Co.
o
te
: - :::
CZE
43~
43
~~i:H
W
to
UNITED STATES
ARMY
LIGHT BOMBARDMENT
NORTHROP A-17A
SO.ToM VEW
,ao0T
VICW
TOP VIEW
SCALF I~ FEET
s
lo
44
:5
to
in
rx1l
.0 .
H v
E-E-~ Q
)c
m-. 0
EH ce
0
I-
.~
67-3
c~~
256879--40-3
E4
45
LIGHT BOMBARDMENT
CURTISS A-18
UNITED STATES
ARMY
sOrTOM VIEW
PERSPECTIVE VIEW
FRONT VIEW
TOP VIEW
SCALE IF -ET
10
15 20
46
25 30 .I35
Wbn
cd
cda
HI
C,
4'-4~
b7O
0 b
bn"a
0 bi
4~~~~~
4.a
Cd
47
LIGHT BOMBARDMENT
DOUGLAS A-20, A-20A
UNITED STATES
ARMY
rpon vilew
48
... . . . .
'
8>
ag
..
:2
Lk9 ;t
4
g
a
S~~~~~P4
~; ~ ~
'biB
:cll
ig
Cd bi
.a
~~
CS
a~~
Es@
riX
bZ f >
&P<>tSO
:.R%
;S
>~~~~~~~-
@i
@g<&&gawilH
i'
E
z~Z
SR0wss
, 0 gg i
.
9
2@w~~~~~~~~~j
t0D
CS~
ngo,
i:,E
X E
: ia1
|5,&
RrggReiS'gwis~ii
~g
:'',
"::91t.
@@
Z:g
Cs
49
UNITED STATES
ARMY
OBSERVATION
DOUGLAS O-46A
BOTTOM VIEW
PEPISPECTIVE VIEW
sLZ Itw
50
O0
I ~~a
~~~~~~~-46
:
F; .
":
4E~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~0
CZ"
E-4
511
0
dad
51
OBSERVATION
NORTH AMERICAN 0-47A &B
UNITED STATES
ARMY
PSOTTOm VIEW
PtrMPEC1IVE
VIEW
FRONT VIEW
SIDE VIEW
TOP VIEW
5 0
10
52
15
20
25
30
(d~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I-
0 a)
.--; _a~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~C
.~~~~~~r~~~ai- b
a~~~
C'
,"86%a:4E~~~~~~~i;*I,
~~~~~~~~~~
b)O~~~~~
53i-
-a-
0,
B~~~~~~~~~~~~
T-*
r-
~~~~~5
wo~
SEF,~~~~~~~~~~~~~
UNITED STATES
ARMY
OBSERVATION AMPHIBIAN
GRUMMAN OA-9
pXAGPCCTIVEVIW
SIDoVIEW
Grumman OA-9
SCALE IN FEET
54
55
UNITED STATES
ARMY
AUTOGIRO
KELLETT YG-1B
BOTTOM VIEW
PERSPECTIVE
VIEW
FONT VIEW
SCALE .
5 o
56
5ET
o
,65
zo
':i~~~~~~~I
I~
ii'~'
~ i
~',~i~
:"
,ii~~~~~~~~~~C
..
C io
CJ2
57
UNITED STATES
ARMY
TRANSPORT
DOUGLAS C-38, C-39, C-41,
C-41A, 'C-42
BOTTOM VIEW
PE RSPECTIVE VIEW
FRONT VIEW
51DE VIE\V
TOP VIEW
*DouS,C3v8,C
39,C- -,-tA,C-
SCALE IN FEET
5 o 5
20 25 30
58
35 1.0
~ bbn
Ca
~o
H-'0
0 4
cu
C'
59
UNITED STATES
ARMY
TRANSPORT
LOCKHEED C-40, C-40A
BOTTOM VIEW
PERSPECTIVE VIEW
FRONT VIEW
SIDE.VIEW
TOP VIEW
Lockheed C:9,C-40A
SCALE IN FEET
10 15
60
20
25
30
CD
EE
|
:.:
bC
co
,:
ooor X Xg
sBi<%x
i~jatggg+<&Q~f&3Sog
:
tA
Es~gt~g>
gz
*og%
61~~~~~
61
%@@
UNITED STATES
ARMY
BASIC TRAINING
SEVERSKY BT-8
BOTTOM
VIEW
PERSPECTIVE
FRONT
VIEW
VIEW
IODE VIEW
TOP
VIEW
SCALE
5 62
62
IN FEET
20
idc
,i63'
1:~
'--:--
cx~~~d
a0
I"~~~~~~~~~'
'
n s i~~~~~l
?:'i~~~~~~
E~
:bil~~~b
: .s4Q
dop
Pm 3a
pq
63~~~~
od:
~-
BASIC TRAINING
NORTH AMERICAN BT-9,
BT-9B, BT-9C
UNITED STATES
ARMY
BOTTOM
VIEW
PERSPECTIVE
VIEW
FRONT VIEW
TOP VIEW
Noah Aercan
BT-9,BT-9B&C
SCALE IN FEET
5 ' 10
64
In
20
a)
CD
E-
ii~i!
-~~~~~~~~~~~~i
bzo
::15~"4
''
i i~~
r n~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~r
~~~~~~~'
pq
CCS
65~~~~
UNITED STATES
ARMY
BASIC TRAINING
NORTH AMERICAN BT-9D, BT-14
BorroM
vlEw
-ERSPtCTiVE
IOE
'pr~i,A
VIEW
eW
ersar9n
566
66
BT-4DiT
bfl
|-2
~~~~~~i
~~~~~A~~~~~~~~"
~ I~
i ~~
~i~
67
BASIC COMBAT
NORTH AMERICAN BC-1
UNITED STATES
ARMY
ii
SECLEIN FET
68
rzlZ
CD
)
'
fL'd
Q
boba
crdCd
:~~~~~~~~~sti~~~~~~~~~~~-
1-:"%F
C.)
CC
256879---40L
-4
69:
lij
cd
25687 o4Q4
69
UNITED STATES
ARMY
BASIC COMBAT
NORTH AMERICAN BC-1A, BC-2,
AT-1
PR5sPECTIVE
VIEW
TOP'view
5CALEIN FIET
70
05