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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February 12, 1942: CAP Gives "Props" to the Now Famous Propeller in Triangle in Circle Symbol

On this date in 1942, Civil Air Patrol National Headquarters approved the now famous logo of the organization, according to the CAP NHQ historical website.

An excerpt: 

Operational Directive No. 2 February 12, 1942, (OD No. 2) � National Headquarters, Civil Air Patrol Office of Civilian Defense (Washington) 

The Civil Air Patrol insignia (blue disk with superimposed white triangle and with red three-bladed propeller superimposed on white triangle) shall be placed on the wings and fuselage of all aircraft engaged in official Civil Air Patrol Missions. Any aircraft while displaying such insignia shall be flown exclusively by members of the Civil Air patrol.

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