Warbird Information Exchange

Regarding the Fuddy Duddy thread, thought it would be a bit of fun to see who likes their warbirds all shiny and who likes them weathered. Obviously this does not go to warbirds in their original markings that are conserved and I know there is are practical issues, but as I said , a bit of FUN. No fighting now!!!!

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If I were able to wave my magic wand, NMF aircraft would all turn out like HJGB. I realize that isn't possible, especially on an airplane the size of a B-17 or B-29, so polishing the airplane might be the best thing for the long-term preservation of the skin, providing the polishing is done correctly.

As far as silver paint versus NMF, I'd prefer they not have to be painted, but that is not my choice. Paint is certainly easier to maintain on an active airplane than bare metal.

Scott

I like them both. Shiny is great and many we're shiny at one time early in their careers, but the worn and well used look on "Twilght Tear" is also appealing to me. I know some crew chiefs kept their charges polished to a mirror finish, but most did the job that needed to be done.

I hate the silver paint jobs, however. Never look quite right and sometimes they slowly start to look white.
If you gotta paint the bird, choose an OD scheme.
Jerry

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"Always remember that, when you enter the ocean or the forest, you are no longer at the top of the food chain."

They should all be required to be like Happy Jack's Go Buggy and no gigantor decals allowed

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Don't touch my junk!!

They're all pretty good, but,

Buuuuutttt,

Being a round engine first, kind "O" dude, the kind of shiny look I like comes from our good friends over at Shell. Come to think of it, the flat look comes from them too..

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Deep Thoughts,
Jack Handy

Drab, olive green and dirty. I like them to look as if they have just come off the flight line. Mind you "Fuddy duddy" looks nice!

Rgds Cking

I certainly don't mind seeing them spiffed up once in awhile. As someone mentioned, by the end of the airshow season they'll be grungy again.

As for paint vs NMF, I definately prefer bare metal, but I understand that paint makes aircraft easier to care for.

SN

Depends on weither your the one putting the "shiny" on or keeping it on or not!

I think the crew did a smashing job cleaning-back and polishing Fuddy Duddy, and that it should be looked on as one of the final stages of restoration/rebuild, as in that's what the ally would have been like at the end of the assembly line.
Just like freshly applied paintwork, give it a little time and it will mellow down to the stage an NMF Fort' would have looked like in it's first couple of months in service. A bit longer and it'll get the oil stains, etc, and it'll look like it's got a few more missions under it's belt.

Just don't polish it back up like this too often, after all, they were only new once.

Well, that's my tuppennorth.

All the best,
PB

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Paul Bellamy

401BG Association Historian & Honorary Life Member
401BG Historical Society (UK) Member
1st Air Division HQ Historical Society (UK) Founder Member
Director of Archives & Collections, Airfield Research Group Archive, Alconbury
RAF Alconbury Base Historian

As it so happens I just finished reading the Fuddy Duddy polish comments from another forum.
http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/sh ... hp?t=32292

It's labor-intensive, but it makes a difference. For example, I read that P-51 Lil' Margaret was painted glossy on the inside because it's easier to clean. I like the shiny look, but it probably comes down to personal preference. Some want to appreciate a new restoration, while others want to picture history as it was with a battle-dirty warplane.

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"They done it, they done it, damned if they ain't flew." December 17, 1903

I can appreciate both the highly polished and dull metallic finished. As far as authenticity goes, the dull, sort of "scrubbed" look gives a better look. But from a maintenance standpoint, I can really appreciate the amount of dedication and work that goes into keeping an aircraft (especially a large one) highly polished. The only disadvantage to that really is on a sunny day... kinda hurts the eyes to look at it.

Either way, I don't care, as long as they're preserved. I think my most preferred look is the finish on Neil Melton's P-47... polished, but it still has a slightly used look to it. There really isn't much way to go wrong with a metallic finish in my opinion though.

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Matt

I like NMF. Not much for the painted on look.

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