I'm sure any number of ex-SH-3 guys can address the following question
(it's from my brother, a model builder) based on the following photo
from the Apollo 17 pickup by HC-1:

http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/Hi...-S72-55937.jpg

What does the orange (golden?) "wings" & number "18" painted on the
hatch represent?

I have a photo from the earlier Apollo 16 recovery and on one of the
bird's hatch is clearly seen a black set of "wings" and the number
"13".

Any help greatly appreciated. TIA.

MW