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Imperial Japanese Navy Japan

[1912 - 1945]

Carrier-Based Aircraft Markings & Identification 1941

Note: This article is still work in progress.

To ensure clarity in formations and combat scenarios, aircraft markings were designed to make it easier to identify and follow leadership in battle. The combination of vertical fuselage stripes and horizontal tail stripes allowed aircraft to be instantly recognizable within the Imperial Japanese Navy’s carrier fleet.

Aircraft position/rank

While the vertical fuselage stripes identified an aircraft's assignment to a specific carrier, horizontal stripes on the vertical stabilizer indicated its position within the squadron hierarchy. The meaning of these stripes was consistent across all carriers and was as follows:

No stripes for Honki - Standard aircraft within the unit.
One stripe for the Shōtai leader - A Shōtai (flight) consisted of three to four aircraft.
Two stripes for the Daitai leader - A Daitai (squadron) consisted of 15 to 27 aircraft.
Three stripes for the Hikōtai leader - A Hikōtai (air group) consisted of every aircraft on a carrier.
Four stripes for the Kōkūtai leader - A Kōkūtai (wing) was generally composed of three Hikōtai.
- Four stripes on an aircraft were used very rarely.

Aircraft identification

Each aircraft's identification code on the vertical stabilizer featured information about its carrier division, specific carrier, and operational role aboard the carrier.

Identification Structure

Large latin letter for carrier division (A = 1st carrier division, B = 2nd, C = 3rd, ...)
Roman numerals for the specific carrier (I = 1st carrier, II = 2nd carrier, ...)
Three-digit aircraft identification number, categorized as follows:

100-series numbers: Fighters (e.g., Mitsubishi A6M Zero)
200-series numbers: Dive bombers (e.g., Aichi D3A Val)
300-series numbers: Torpedo bombers (e.g., Nakajima B5N Kate)

Example

An aircraft labeled AII-203 would be the third dive bomber (203) assigned to the second carrier (II) of the first carrier division (A) which corresponds to the IJN Akagi.

Dai Ichi Kōkū sentai (1st Carrier Division)

IJN Akagi

The IJN Akagi ("Red Castle") was laid down in 1920 as an Amagi-class battlecruiser but was immediately converted into an aircraft carrier. Between 1935 and 1938, her original three-flight-deck configuration was consolidated into a single, enlarged flight deck, making her the first large Japanese aircraft carrier.

Akagi took part in several major conflicts, including the Second Sino-Japanese War, the attack on Pearl Harbor, the invasion of Rabaul, and the bombing of Darwin, Australia.

During the Battle of Midway, she was severely damaged by a single dive bomber from the USS Enterprise. To prevent her from falling into enemy hands, she was scuttled by Japanese destroyers.

Each aircraft featured a single red vertical stripe behind the Hinomaru (national insignia) on the fuselage. Additionally, the aircraft identification code on the vertical stabilizer included the prefix AI-, signifying their assignment to the IJN Akagi. The aircraft's position within the squadron hierarchy was further indicated by yellow stripes on the vertical stabilizer.

Hikōtai (Air group commander)

Daitai (Squadron commander)

Shōtai (Flight commander)

Honki (Standard aircraft)

IJN Kaga

The IJN Kaga (named after the ancient Kaga Province) was laid down 1921 as a Tosa-class battleship but both Tosa-class ships were canceled and scheduled to be scrapped. 1925, the Kaga was selected to be converted to an aircraft carrier and entered service 1929 as the Imperial Japanese Navy's third carrier.

She took part in several major conflicts, including the Shanghai Incident, the Second Sino-Japanese War, the attack on Pearl Harbor, the invasion of Rabaul, and the bombing of Darwin, Australia.

During the Battle of Midway, she was severely damaged by multiple direct hits from dive bombers of the USS Enterprise. Unable to contain her fires from the explosions, Kaga's survivors were taken off by the destroyers IJN Hagikaze and IJN Maikaze. Later, those destroyers scuttled the IJN Kaga with two torpedoes.

Each aircraft featured two red vertical stripes behind the Hinomaru (national insignia) on the fuselage. Additionally, the aircraft identification code on the vertical stabilizer included the prefix AII-, signifying their assignment to the IJN Kaga. The aircraft's position within the squadron hierarchy was further indicated by red stripes on the vertical stabilizer.

Hikōtai (Air group commander)

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Daitai (Squadron commander)

Shōtai (Flight commander)

Honki (Standard aircraft)

Dai Ni Kōkū sentai (2nd Carrier Division)

IJN Sōryū

IJN Sōryū ("Blue/Green Dragon") was one of the first Japanese aircraft carriers designed from the keel up, unlike earlier conversions like IJN Akagi and IJN Kaga. Its design incorporated lessons learned from the light carrier IJN Ryūjō. She was laid down 1934 in Kure and assigned to the 2nd Carrier Division in 1937.

She took part in several major conflicts, including the Japanese invasion of French Indochina, the attack on Pearl Harbor, the invasion of the Palau Islands, the Battle of Ambon and the bombing of Darwin, Australia.

During the Battle of Midway, she was attacked by 13 Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers from the USS Yorktown. Sōryū received three direct hits from 1,000 lb (454 kg) bombs, penetrating to the upper and lower hangar deck which contained armed and fueled aircraft preparing for the upcoming strike. This resulted in secondary explosions and within a very short time the fires on the ship were out of control. Her crew were taken off by the destroyers IJN Isokaze and IJN Hamakaze which later scuttled the IJN Sōryū with torpedoes.

Each aircraft featured a single blue vertical stripe behind the Hinomaru (national insignia) on the fuselage. Additionally, the aircraft identification code on the vertical stabilizer included the prefix BI-, signifying their assignment to the IJN Sōryū. The aircraft's position within the squadron hierarchy was further indicated by blue stripes on the vertical stabilizer.

Hikōtai (Air group commander)

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Daitai (Squadron commander)

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Shōtai (Flight commander)

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Honki (Standard aircraft)

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IJN Hiryū

Originally designed as the sister ship of the IJN Sōryū, the design of the IJN Hiryū ("Flying Dragon") was enlarged, her forecastle was raised and her hull strengthened. She was laid down 1936 in Yokosuka and assigned to the 2nd Carrier Division in 1940.

She took part in several major conflicts, including the Japanese invasion of French Indochina, the attack on Pearl Harbor and the Battle of Midway, where she was one of four Japanese aircraft carriers — Akagi, Kaga, Sōryū, and Hiryū — that were sunk during the battle.

During the Battle of Midway, Hiryū was struck by four 1,000 lb (454 kg) bombs—three on the forward flight deck and one on the forward elevator. The resulting explosions caused the forward half of the flight deck to collapse into the hangar. Fires broke out and soon raged uncontrollably, rendering Hiryū combat ineffective. As a result, the remaining American aircraft shifted their focus to attacking the escorting ships instead. By 03:15, with the fires beyond control, the order to abandon ship was given. Her crew was rescued by the destroyers IJN Kazagumo and IJN Makigumo, which later scuttled Hiryū with torpedoes. Rear Admiral Tamon Yamaguchi chose to remain on board as the torpedoes struck. Four hours later, at approximately 09:12, Hiryū slipped beneath the waves.

Each aircraft featured two blue vertical stripes behind the Hinomaru (national insignia) on the fuselage. Additionally, the aircraft identification code on the vertical stabilizer included the prefix BII-, signifying their assignment to the IJN Hiryū. The aircraft's position within the squadron hierarchy was further indicated by yellow stripes on the vertical stabilizer.

Hikōtai (Air group commander)

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Daitai (Squadron commander)

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Shōtai (Flight commander)

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Honki (Standard aircraft)

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Dai San Kōkū sentai (3rd Carrier Division)

IJN Zuihō

Each aircraft featured no stripes behind the Hinomaru (national insignia) on the fuselage. Additionally, the aircraft identification code on the vertical stabilizer included the prefix CI-, signifying their assignment to the IJN Zuihō. The aircraft's position within the squadron hierarchy was further indicated by red stripes on the vertical stabilizer.

Hikōtai (Air group commander)

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Daitai (Squadron commander)

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Shōtai (Flight commander)

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Honki (Standard aircraft)

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IJN Hōshō

Each aircraft featured two yellow vertical stripes behind the Hinomaru (national insignia) on the fuselage. Additionally, the aircraft identification code on the vertical stabilizer included the prefix CII-, signifying their assignment to the IJN Hōshō. The aircraft's position within the squadron hierarchy was further indicated by yellow stripes on the vertical stabilizer.

Hikōtai (Air group commander)

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Daitai (Squadron commander)

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Shōtai (Flight commander)

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Honki (Standard aircraft)

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Dai Yon Kōkū sentai (4th Carrier Division)

IJN Taiyō

Each aircraft featured behind the Hinomaru (national insignia) on the fuselage. Additionally, the aircraft identification code on the vertical stabilizer included the prefix DII-, signifying their assignment to the IJN Taiyō. The aircraft's position within the squadron hierarchy was further indicated by stripes on the vertical stabilizer.

Hikōtai (Air group commander)

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Daitai (Squadron commander)

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Shōtai (Flight commander)

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Honki (Standard aircraft)

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IJN Shōhō

Each aircraft featured two yellow vertical stripes behind the Hinomaru (national insignia) on the fuselage. Additionally, the aircraft identification code on the vertical stabilizer included the prefix DII-, signifying their assignment to the IJN Shōhō. The aircraft's position within the squadron hierarchy was further indicated by stripes on the vertical stabilizer.

Hikōtai (Air group commander)

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Daitai (Squadron commander)

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Shōtai (Flight commander)

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Honki (Standard aircraft)

IJN Jun'yō

Each aircraft featured two yellow vertical stripes behind the Hinomaru (national insignia) on the fuselage. Additionally, the aircraft identification code on the vertical stabilizer included the prefix DII-, signifying their assignment to the IJN Jun'yō. The aircraft's position within the squadron hierarchy was further indicated by stripes on the vertical stabilizer.

Hikōtai (Air group commander)

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Daitai (Squadron commander)

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Shōtai (Flight commander)

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Honki (Standard aircraft)

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IJN Ryūjō

Each aircraft featured three yellow vertical stripes behind the Hinomaru (national insignia) on the fuselage. Additionally, the aircraft identification code on the vertical stabilizer included the prefix DIII-, signifying their assignment to the IJN Ryūjō. The aircraft's position within the squadron hierarchy was further indicated by yellow stripes on the vertical stabilizer.

Hikōtai (Air group commander)

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Daitai (Squadron commander)

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Shōtai (Flight commander)

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Honki (Standard aircraft)

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Dai Go Kōkū sentai (5th Carrier Division)

IJN Shōkaku

Each aircraft featured a single white vertical stripe behind the Hinomaru (national insignia) on the fuselage. Additionally, the aircraft identification code on the vertical stabilizer included the prefix EI-, signifying their assignment to the IJN Shōkaku. The aircraft's position within the squadron hierarchy was further indicated by white stripes on the vertical stabilizer.

Hikōtai (Air group commander)

Daitai (Squadron commander)

Shōtai (Flight commander)

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Honki (Standard aircraft)

IJN Zuikaku

Each aircraft featured two white vertical stripes behind the Hinomaru (national insignia) on the fuselage. Additionally, the aircraft identification code on the vertical stabilizer included the prefix EII-, signifying their assignment to the IJN Zuikaku. The aircraft's position within the squadron hierarchy was further indicated by white stripes on the vertical stabilizer.

Hikōtai (Air group commander)

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Daitai (Squadron commander)

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Shōtai (Flight commander)

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Honki (Standard aircraft)

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