VU: Utility Squadrons 1946-1965
The VU designation was used from 1946 to 1965. Before the creation of the VU designation, utility squadrons were called VJ. In 1965, all VU squadrons were redesignated Fleet Composite (VC) squadrons (third use of the VC designation).
A total of ten VUs were activated: Utility Squadrons with this distinctive designation.
It provided adversary services for fleet maneuver training and air combat. Aerial target, aerial photography, drone target and range services are also provided.
Like most USN aircraft, they abandoned Glossy Sea Blue on February 23, 1955.The older paint versions, because they come from combat stocks from World War II and the Korean War, they have in its fuselage the Glossy Sea Blue The identification bands, when used, were Insignia Yellow FS 13538 and, like the aircraft, some helicopters based in the continental United States also had sections of the fuselage painted International Orange FS 12197 between 1957-64. In addition, aircraft engaged in anti-submarine duties (specifically the HSS-1) had their noses and tails painted fluorescent red orange FS 28913 from 7 December 1957.
Color camo
Engine Grey FS 16081: See comments for Sea Plane Grey FS 26081 which is the same shade and therefore only requires gloss.
Fluorescent Red Orange FS 28913: Direct matches to the FS color are rare, with only Model Master and Xtracolor offering it. However, it is a common color used by other NATO air forces and matches well with RAF Day-Glo Red as well as the German RAL 3024 offered by Hataka as well as Revell and Mr. Paint respectively. These are included as close equivalents in parentheses.
| FS 36440 | FS 16081 | FS 13538 | FS 28913 | FS 12197 | |
| Light Gull Gray | Engine Gray | Insignia Yellow | Fluorescent Red Orange | International Orange | |
| Scheme | |||||
| General (1955) | Overall | (ID bands) | |||
| General (1957) | Overall | (ID bands) | (Nose / Tail) | (Nose / Tail) | |
| Color matches | |||||
| Gunze Aqueous | H314 | H301 | H329 | – | – |
| Gunze Mr Color | C314 | C301 | C329 | – | – |
| Humbrol | 129 | 032 | 154 | (209) | – |
| Model Master | 1730 | 1788 | 1707 | 2041 | 2022 |
| Revell | – | – | – | (332) | – |
| Tamiya | (X-20) | – | – | – | – |
| Vallejo Model Air | 71.121* | 71.314* | 71.078** | – | – |
| Vallejo Model Color | 70.986** | – | – | – | – |
| AKAN | 72014 | 72008 | 72001 | – | – |
| AK Interactive | AK 2051 | AK 2105 | – | – | – |
| AK Real Colors | RC220 | RC243 | – | – | – |
| AMMO by Mig | A.MIG-241 | – | – | – | – |
| Colourcoats | ACUS01 | ACUS43 | – | – | ACUS46 |
| Hataka | HTK-_048* | HTK-_030 | HTK-_066 | (HTK-_268) | HTK-_062 |
| Lifecolor | UA 025 | UA 030 | UA 140** | – | – |
| Mission Models | MMP-063 | MMP-099 | – | – | – |
| Mr Paint | MRP-98 | MRP-241 | – | (MRP-193) | MRP-232** |
| Xtracolor | X137 | X129 | X106 | X161 | X104 |
| Xtracrylix | XA1137 | XA1129 | – | – | – |