BatHead

US Navy & USMC

The first use of bats as Squadron insignia by the US Navy was by Observation Squadron VOS-3S (circa 1923). They had been supplied with scout aircraft (Vought O2U-1 Corsair) that were so poorly suited to observation duties that both pilots and the observers complained of being "blind as bats". During this time, several related observation squadrons often flew out of Guantanamo Bay, and all designated a "Cuban bat" (perhaps Artibeus?) to represent their "blind" status. VOS-3S utilized this insignia throughout its history even as its designation changed to VS-5S, VS-5B, VCS-2 (see below) and finally VS-6S. Aircraft pictured below is a Vought O2U-1 Corsair that flew with squadron VOS-3S from the USN Cruiser SS Raleigh.

Collectors stamp from the late 1930's: Scouting Squadron VCS-2 [See also: 'The Plane that wouldnt fly.' ]

Grumman F6F Hellcat of VFN-90 (J. Valo)

Lt Cdr Stevens & Lt Cdr Neal of VB-134 (Lockheed Ventura - Tom Tullis artwork)
4 June 1944 - Empire Express FAW-4 (small bat on tail fin)

P2-V Neptune of VP-24 (see tip of tail fin) (B. Esposito)

P2-V Neptune of VP-24 (see tip of tail fin) (D. Husman)

(P2-V Neptune of VP-24 from J. Cultice @ P2VNeptune.ORG)

P-3 Orion of VP-24 (see tip of tail fin) (B. Esposito)

P-3 Orion of VP-24 (see bat on tail fin)

Douglas AD-5W "Guppy" of VAW-12 (P. Mersky) [Additional patch pages found in navigation bar]

Navy VQ Squadrons

Douglas TA-3B Skywarrior of VQ-1 (D Howeley)

Douglas EA-3B Skywarrior of VQ-1 (J Sewell)

Douglas EA-3B Skywarrior of VQ-1

Douglas EA-3B Skywarriors of VQ-1

Douglas EA-3B Skywarriors of VQ-1

EP-3E Orion of VQ-1 (see bat under cockpit window and on tail fin)

Thanks to Mark Swisher for sending along these photographs of VQ-2 aircraft (EP-3E & EA-3B).
Visit the WWW.A3skywarrior.com site!

ES-3A Shadow of VQ-5

ES-3A Shadow of VQ-5 (right - VQ-5 DET 14 decal set - Modeller: Scott Nagle, via R. Sisson)

North American RA-5C Vigilantes of RVAH-13 (note small bats on jet intakes and tail fins) (artwork: Jim Laurier)