Warbird Information Exchange

In the case of the NMUSAF F-86, I'm pretty sure the gun stains are painted on. I don't recall seeing them when I visited the musuem back in the late '70s.

Also, a list of surviving F-86s shows the NMUSAF's bird as 49-1067. According the the museum's website "The F-86A on display was flown to the museum in 1961. It is marked as the 4th Fighter Group F-86A (S/N 49-1236) flown by Lt. Col. Bruce Hinton on Dec. 17, 1950, when he became the first F-86 pilot to shoot down a MiG." Meaning she was repainted by the Museum.

I have mixed feelings about "faux weathering" on museum aircraft. On the one hand, it makes them a little more "real" looking, but on the other hand it gives the casual visitor the false impression that the plane is in original condition. I don't mind, as long as it's not overdone.

Of course, the museum's recently restored RF-86 has the entire gun muzzles painted on, but that's historically accurate.

SN

Back in the 80's when Shoo Shoo was being restored at Dover, the windows installed by Sabena needed to be faired over. After the restoration was complete, the only way to hide these and other replacement sheets , was to paint it OD.

Personally I think I would have preferred it was painted silver. Sure it isn't the same is natural metal but many a good looking restoration was done that way such as B-25J 44-28925. I think it is a good compromise which gives the public a decent rendition of the original look of the aircraft without compromising too much authenticity. It also doesn't require you to replace as much of that original combat historical sheet metal.

Jut my opinion, but I think painted silver never looks correct. Either polish the metal or paint it OD green...

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