Centennial of Naval Aviation – Aircraft Bureau Numbers

by Dave Budd · Published March 29, 2011

VX-31 Bloodhounds. Painted S-3 to represent an early tactical paint scheme on TBF Avengers circa the Battle of Midway June 1942

We did attend the Friday media day but left with hardly a photo. Most of my shots were from Saturday before the crowds were let in.

Below is a table of the planned heritage schemes.

Aircraft Type	BuNo	Assignment	Scheme
EA-6B	160609	VAQ-129	USS Coral Sea Air group markings
E/A-18G	166899	VAQ-129	F-U Corsair of Air Group 85 “Sky Pirates” aboard the USS Shangri-La (CV 34) circa 1944 (three tone blue/blue/white)
F/A-18A	TBD	VX-31	Heritage China Lake Test Scheme
F/A-18A+	162866	VFA-204	Navy Reserve aircraft circa 1950
F/A-18C	163745	VFA-106	F6F-5 Bomber-Fighter Squadron Seventeen (VBF-17) on USS Hornet (CV-12) circa 1945
F/A-18C	163733	VFA-122	WWII three tone blue/blue/white
F/A-18C	164673	VFC-12	WWII Gloss Sea Blue
F/A-18E	165666	VFA-106	VA-106 squadron Skyhawk on USS Forrestal (CVA-59) circa 1967 Vietnam War
F/A-18F	165677	VFA-122	Current Navy Working Uniform scheme
P-3C	161591	PATWING 11	PBY-5a (44-P-5) “Strawberry 5”, VP-44 “Golden Pelican”, which located the Japanese Fleet prior to the Battle of Midway
P-3C	160770	PATWING 2	Seaplane Gray/White
P-3C	158206	PATWING 10	Black/White EP-3B RoCAF circa 1969 Vietnam
S-3B	160581	VX-30	Early WWII tactical paint scheme circa 1942 (Battle of Midway)
T-6A	165966	TW-6	Gloss Sea Blue
T-6B	166064	TW-5	1930 – 1950 Standard yellow primary trainer scheme
TC-12B	161197	TW-4 (VT-35)	Early WWII tactical paint scheme circa 1942 (Battle of the Coral Sea)
T-34C	161841	TW-4	Ranger Air Group (CV 4) assigned aircraft circa 1938
T-34C	164169	TW-5	Standard paint scheme for Coast Guard aircraft circa 1936
T-34C	164172	TW-5	Standard paint scheme for Marine Corps aircraft circa 1938
T-39N	165523	TW-6	Enterprise Air Group (CV 6) assigned aircraft circa 1938
T-44A	160984	TW-4	Represents the NC-4, the first aircraft to fly across the Atlantic Ocean
T-45C	165598	TW-1	Enterprise Air Group (CV 6) assigned aircraft circa 1939
T-45C	163656	TW-2	Wasp Air Group (CV 7) assigned aircraft circa 1939
T-45C	167100	TW-2	Centennial Scheme
HH-60H	163787	HSC-84	Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 3 (HAL-3), Vietnam War
MH-60S	166323	HSC-3	Aircraft of Lt. (j.g). John Thornton (Navy Cross) HU-2 circa 1950
MH-60S	166294	HSC-2	Aircraft of Lt. (j.g). John Thornton (Navy Cross) HU-2 circa 1950
MH-60R	166524	HSM-41	Night Air Group 90 aboard the USS Enterprise (CV 6) circa 1944 (three tone blue/blue/white)
TH-57	162064	TW-5	White with earliest standard naval insignia (anchor 1914)
UH-1N	158270	HMLAT-303	Aircraft of Maj. Pless, USMC (Medal of Honor), VMO-6 “Tomcats” circa 1967 Vietnam War