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Capture the colorful era of pre-WWII US Navy aviation with 1/72 scale Yellow Wings aftermarket decals featuring authentic 1930s-40s squadron markings. This specialized collection showcases historically accurate decal sheets including USN TBD-1 Devastator VT-2 & VT-3, USN SB2U-1 Vindicator VB-2 & VB-3, and US National Insignia 1919-42 Red Dot Part-1. Manufactured by Yellow Wings, these premium waterslide decals deliver exceptional color accuracy and period-correct markings for pre-war naval aviation enthusiasts.
Yellow Wings has established itself as the premier manufacturer of pre-WWII US Navy aircraft decals, preserving the colorful and distinctive markings that characterized American naval aviation during the interwar period from 1919 through 1942. This specialized collection represents meticulous research into the golden age of naval aviation when aircraft wore vibrant squadron colors, elaborate tail markings, and the distinctive red-dot national insignia that disappeared after Pearl Harbor. Each Yellow Wings sheet captures the authentic appearance of US Navy aircraft during peacetime operations when visibility and unit identification took precedence over camouflage, resulting in some of the most colorful military aircraft ever flown.
The USN TBD-1 Devastator VT-2 & VT-3 provides markings for two torpedo squadrons operating the Douglas TBD-1 Devastator, the US Navy's first all-metal monoplane torpedo bomber that entered service in 1937. VT-2 (Torpedo Squadron 2) operated from USS Lexington (CV-2) with distinctive squadron markings and section colors, while VT-3 (Torpedo Squadron 3) flew from USS Saratoga (CV-3) with different color schemes and tail markings. These squadrons represented the cutting edge of naval aviation in the late 1930s, pioneering carrier-based torpedo attack tactics that would be tested in combat at the Battle of Midway in June 1942. The decal sheet captures the pre-war appearance of these aircraft with colorful fuselage bands denoting section assignments (red for section leaders, white for second aircraft, blue for third aircraft), large aircraft numbers on fuselage and wings for easy identification during formation flying, elaborate tail markings featuring squadron insignia and geometric patterns, and the pre-war national insignia with red dot center that was hastily removed after Pearl Harbor to avoid confusion with Japanese hinomaru markings.
The USN SB2U-1 Vindicator VB-2 & VB-3 represents the Vought SB2U Vindicator, the Navy's first monoplane scout bomber that entered service in 1937-38. VB-2 (Bombing Squadron 2) and VB-3 (Bombing Squadron 3) operated these aircraft from USS Lexington and USS Saratoga respectively during the late 1930s and early 1940s. The Vindicator served as a transitional aircraft between biplane scout bombers and the more famous SBD Dauntless, representing an important step in naval aviation development. Yellow Wings' sheet captures the distinctive pre-war markings including bright chrome yellow upper wing surfaces that gave the era its "Yellow Wings" nickname, colorful fuselage bands and tail markings identifying squadrons and sections, large aircraft numbers for formation identification, and authentic national insignia placement and sizing for the period.
The US National Insignia 1919-42 Red Dot Part-1 provides essential national markings for any US Navy, Marine Corps, or Army Air Corps aircraft from the interwar period. The red dot insignia (officially the "star and circle" marking) was adopted in 1919 and remained standard until May 1942 when the red center was removed to prevent confusion with Japanese aircraft markings. This sheet includes correctly sized and proportioned insignia for various aircraft types and scales, authentic colors matching period specifications and surviving aircraft, and placement guidance for wings, fuselage, and tail surfaces. Having accurate national insignia is critical for historical authenticity, as the size, proportions, and colors of these markings changed multiple times during the interwar period, and Yellow Wings' research ensures period-correct appearance.
The period covered by Yellow Wings decals represents a unique era in military aviation when peacetime operations emphasized visibility, unit pride, and spectacular air show performances rather than combat camouflage. US Navy aircraft of this era featured chrome yellow upper wing surfaces (required from 1919 until gradually phased out in the late 1930s) that made aircraft highly visible for safety during carrier operations, elaborate squadron insignia and tail markings reflecting unit history and traditions, bright section colors (red, white, blue, black, green) identifying aircraft positions within formations, polished aluminum or silver-doped fabric finishes creating brilliant metallic appearance, and colorful cowlings, wheel covers, and trim in squadron colors. This colorful scheme served practical purposes including easy identification during formation flying and carrier operations, high visibility for safety during training exercises, unit morale and esprit de corps, and impressive appearance for public demonstrations and air shows that promoted naval aviation.
Understanding pre-war US Navy squadron organization helps modelers appreciate the markings' significance. Carrier air groups typically included fighting squadrons (VF) flying fighters, bombing squadrons (VB) operating dive bombers, torpedo squadrons (VT) flying torpedo bombers, and scouting squadrons (VS) operating scout bombers. Each squadron developed distinctive markings including tail designs featuring geometric patterns, squadron insignia, and carrier identification, fuselage bands in section colors identifying aircraft position within the squadron, and large aircraft numbers (typically 1-18 for full-strength squadrons) painted on fuselage, wings, and sometimes tail surfaces. Section leaders flew aircraft with red markings, second aircraft in each section wore white, third aircraft displayed blue, with additional colors (black, green, yellow) used for larger sections or special aircraft.
Yellow Wings decals are renowned for exceptional quality and meticulous historical research. Each sheet features accurate color matching to period photographs, paint chips, and official specifications, sharp printing with excellent registration of multi-color designs, thin carrier film that conforms to surface details and virtually disappears under clear coat, and comprehensive instructions with historical notes, placement diagrams, and color callouts. The company's research draws from official US Navy documentation including Bureau of Aeronautics specifications and squadron records, period photographs from National Archives and naval aviation museums, surviving aircraft in museum collections, and veteran accounts providing firsthand details about markings and their application. This research foundation ensures that Yellow Wings products enable truly authentic representations of pre-war naval aviation rather than approximations based on incomplete information.
Creating authentic pre-war US Navy models requires attention to period-specific details beyond just decals. Paint schemes evolved throughout the interwar period, with early 1920s aircraft featuring chrome yellow upper surfaces with aluminum or clear-doped fabric lower surfaces, late 1920s-early 1930s aircraft transitioning to overall aluminum or silver finishes with yellow upper wings, and late 1930s-1941 aircraft adopting overall light gray schemes while retaining colorful markings. Weathering should be minimal compared to combat aircraft, as peacetime operations emphasized maintenance and appearance, though operational wear including exhaust staining, oil streaks, and paint chipping from carrier operations should be represented subtly. Propeller spinners, wheel covers, and cowlings often wore squadron colors matching tail markings, and polished metal surfaces should show realistic metallic sheen rather than flat silver paint.
The period from mid-1941 through early 1942 saw rapid changes in US Navy aircraft markings as war approached and then arrived. The red dot was removed from national insignia in May 1942, colorful pre-war markings were gradually replaced with tactical gray schemes, and yellow wing surfaces disappeared as camouflage became essential. Yellow Wings decals capture aircraft as they appeared during this transitional period, enabling modelers to represent specific aircraft at precise moments in naval aviation history, from the last peacetime exercises through the early battles of WWII when some aircraft still wore pre-war markings.
Applying Yellow Wings decals requires the same careful technique as any quality waterslide decals, with special attention to the large, colorful markings characteristic of pre-war aircraft. The model surface should be smooth and glossy to prevent silvering and ensure good adhesion. Large decals like fuselage bands and tail markings benefit from decal setting solutions that help them conform to curved surfaces without wrinkling or trapping air. Multiple thin coats of setting solution work better than single heavy applications. After decals have dried completely, a clear coat seals them and blends carrier film edges into the surrounding paint, creating a painted-on appearance. The vibrant colors of pre-war markings look most authentic over light-colored base coats, typically aluminum, silver, or light gray matching the aircraft's overall finish.
Complement your Yellow Wings decals with our comprehensive 1/72 Aircraft Aftermarket Parts collection featuring detail sets, resin upgrades, and photo-etched parts from multiple manufacturers for complete pre-war US Navy aircraft detailing and enhancement.
Yellow Wings specializes in pre-WWII US Navy aircraft decals, offering the most comprehensive range of marking options for this colorful and historically significant period in naval aviation. The company's focus on interwar naval aviation enables deep research into squadron histories, marking variations, and operational details that broader-focused decal manufacturers cannot match. This specialization has made Yellow Wings the definitive source for modelers seeking authentic markings for US Navy aircraft from 1919 through 1942, preserving the visual heritage of the golden age of naval aviation when aircraft wore some of the most colorful and distinctive markings in military aviation history.
