May 24, 1942: Red Propellers Removed from CAP Coastal Patrol Aircraft Insignia

On this date in 1942, Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters issued a memorandum ordering the removal of the now famous red propellers from Coastal Patrol aircraft to avoid confusion with enemy Japanese aircraft.

From the CAP NHQ history website:

General Memorandum-29, May 25 1942, (GM-29) with special classified addendum only for Coastal Patrol personnel and operations section. Now required the removal of the red three bladed propeller from the CAP aircraft emblem on all aircraft assigned. The official CP insignia now consisted of a blue circle with white isosceles triangle was the only authorized insignia for CAP-CP aircraft This was in keeping with the current practice of the AAF to avoid confusion with Japanese emblem. This directive and practice remained in effect till the Coastal Patrol units were disbanded in 1945.

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