Old Shep wrote:
First, I too am glad to see the P-63 guys making such head way, and I hope they find the money to find and/or fix the gearbox. However....
I wrote the article for the Dispatch that is on their website. That P-63 was NEVER a pinball airplane! The tall tail is the distinctive visual that identifies it as an F model. Only two ever built that way. The other CAF P-63 being restored by the Dixie Wing has the more common tail (I believe it is a P-63 E but I'm not sure) and it is the one that could be marked as a Pinball airplane. The current paint scheme on the Houston P-63F is very accurate and I would hope it would not be changed. So, curb your enthusiasm about the Houston one becoming orange and check out the Dixie Wing for info on the other P-63.
Old Shep
So this...
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/113 ... 13c2127/11...is incorrect? And the Houston group is NOT securing funds for a pinball paintjob?
FWIW, I think most (if not all) at WIX understand that neither of the two F models served as pinballs.
But--as accurate as its current colors are--I think the P-63F could tell a bigger story to a bigger audience in orange than in silver. I rather surprise myself with that comment, as I usually take a more anal-retentive approach with paint schemes. But it seems the CAF is taking more of a "educate-the-masses" approach in recent years.
My opinion has little value, but perhaps others agree in this situation (No offense taken if you don't)?