Font?

Thu Jun 09, 2005 7:44 pm

Does anybody know what font is typically used for serial numbers on P-51's?

Thu Jun 09, 2005 9:17 pm

Wasn't there a specific USAAF "font"? Seems to me I've seen it somewhere before...

Fri Jun 10, 2005 12:05 am

It's not a font as such. It's a set of specific ratios based on a single measurement. What the give in the painting spec is stroke width, height and spacing. I've got a good guide at home but I still haven't been able to find it yet. Maybe I'll be able to this weekend.

Fri Jun 10, 2005 2:45 am

Scott

There were the factory applied serial numbers, and then there were field applied serials (after repairs, after application of squadron colors on the rudders, etc. which often differed in style and size from the original 'font'.

Another twist here is that although the 'font' used for the factory-applied serial-numbers was identical, the actual presentation of the serial number on P-51's from Inglewood differed from those built at Dallas.....
IIRC the spacing between the digits at Inglewood was slightly wider than at Dallas.

Will check my sources at home over the weekend.

Other than that, I can provide both the official USAAF and USAF stencils in .ttf format (True Type font file) to those interested.

PM if interested.

Martin

Fri Jun 10, 2005 9:44 am

I'd love to have the ttf fonts, Martin!

Fri Jun 10, 2005 9:58 am

Roger that !

(watch your mail)

Martin

Fri Jun 10, 2005 10:34 am

Received. Thanks Bud!

Fri Jun 10, 2005 8:31 pm

I would like a copy of those fonts as well!

Ryan

Sat Jun 11, 2005 10:18 am

This maybe helpful:
http://hans.presto.tripod.com/fonts/usaaf.html

Sat Jun 11, 2005 7:06 pm

Thanks!

Ryan