House Livery - Confederate Air Force

[John Kerr]

Here are 4 shots of the P-63F.

1. P-63F N443, 43-11719, Laport, IN. Oct 63. photo by Vince
Reynolds.


2. P-63F N443, 43-11719, Laport, IN Nov 63. photo by Vince
Reynolds.


3. P-63F N447AG, 43-11719. St. Petersburg, FL. Apr 66.
photo by Bob Pauley


4. P-63F N6763 43-11719, Harlingen, TX Oct 84
photo by John Kerr

[John Kerr]

Here is a series of shots of the CAF F6f-5, N1078Z, 70222. Note the various paint jobs.

1. Oct 72, Harlingen, Tx. photo by John Kerr


2. Oct 72, Harlingen, Tx. photo by John Kerr


3. Mar 75, San Marcos, Tx. photo by John Kerr


4. Sep 80, Harlingen, Tx. photo by John Kerr


5. Oct 80, Harlingen, Tx. photo by John Ker


6. Jun 85, Victoria, Tx. photo by Craig Parchman


7. Jun 85, Victoria, Tx. photo by Craig Parchman


8. Apr 86, Las Vegas, Nv. photo by Dick Phillips

[John Kerr]

Sorry for the double post of picture 5. Here is the correct photo
for picture # 6. photo by Craig Parchman.

[Roger Cain]

Thanks guys for posting these early pictures. I find it fascinating to see the many early schemes that these planes wore in their earlier life before they became to be known as "warbirds".

For those that aren't purists and enjoy the early schemes, William T. Larkins has a massive collection posted by types at: http://picasaweb.google.com/BillLarkins Try not to get lost there.

Back to more CAF pixs.........

[John Kerr]

Here are a few more shots of the CAF in its early livery. Hope you enjoy them.

1. FM-2 N681S 55585 October 1975 at Harlingen, TX. Photo: John Kerr


2. B-17G/PW-1B 44-83872/77235 October 1962 at Harlingen, Tx.
photo: Frank Garcia


3. B-17G/PW-1B 44-83872/77235 October 1975 at Harlingen, TX. Photo:
John Kerr


4. LB-30 AM-927 October 1962 at Harlingen, Tx. Photo: Frank Garcia


5. Same as , different angel.

[airnutz]

Great Pics John, but 2 small corrections, the CAF was all fighters in 1962 as far as I know.
The LB-30 and B-17/PB-1W joined later in '67 I think.

[John Kerr]

Sorry about date of Oct 62 should be Oct 72. Guess I need to watch my typing better.

[T J Johansen]

Sorry about date of Oct 62 should be Oct 72. Guess I need to watch my typing better.

Not trying to be an a*s here, but I seem to remember seeing photos of Texas Raiders at Transpo earlier in 1972 (July 72?). Wearing the first camo paint job. Which would suggest that the white Aero Service colors in your shot must be prior to Transpo. Or was the camo paint just a washable job?

T J

[John Kerr]

TJ, you be correct again. The white paint was on the B-17 prior to the green blotches. The green blotches were on the aircraft for about 4 or 5 years. 1972-1977 roughly.

[airnutz]

Sorry about date of Oct 62 should be Oct 72. Guess I need to watch my typing better.

Not trying to be an a*s here, but I seem to remember seeing photos of Texas Raiders at Transpo earlier in 1972 (July 72?). Wearing the first camo paint job. Which would suggest that the white Aero Service colors in your shot must be prior to Transpo. Or was the camo paint just a washable job?

T J

Ditto here TJ, not nitpicking..just trying to hone down the date. According to Texas Raiders history page,
she was christened TR and recieved her first camo scheme in 1970.

Thanks for this great thread folks!

EDIT: Wow, how's that for timing John. When I started my reply to TJ, you hadn't posted yet!

[Chris Brame]

Here's TR at Oshkosh in 1977, from my trusty Instamatic camera:





It was probably the last show before she got the new paint job and makeover - can anyone verify?

Last edited by Chris Brame on Thu Mar 05, 2015 10:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Rocketeer]

This thread reminds us that in keeping warbirds flying, we are not only preserving the memories of those who built, serviced, and flew aboard them in wartime, but also those whose shoulders we stand on in keeping them around for us to touch and see. None of these aircraft would be flying today if it were not for the people like those who started the Confederate Air Force, as well as private civilians in general who carried the torch, often unrecognized or unrewarded for their efforts.

It is fun to reflect on these civilian paint schemes, as they go against the grain for today's expected markings for a warbird to have notoriety. It's refreshing to see a P-40 in a bare metal finish starting on page 6.

[Sasquatch]

Just as a heads-up, I just received my “Warbirds Illustrated” (April/May 2015 | Vol. 34, No. 4) and they have a two-page photo article on page 26 about CAF “house colors” showing seven of the birds that carried the colors back in the day. No dates mentioned on the photos, though…but this thread has plenty of useful dates already. Anyway, the mag should be on the stands soon if you are interested.

-Tom

[Lynn Allen]

Here is another shot of the P-63A N191H, 42-68941 Harlingen,
TX Oct 1975

I heard a long ago that this was a gate guard at the entrances of Love Field in Dallas, Texas???

[Shawn M]

I have a few of their "books" from the 80's that they sold at Airshows.
I'll see if I can snap a pic or two of the covers.
They have a great run down of their entire fleet.