Many "warbirders" complain about we "rivet counters" and "paint scheme police" raising the issues of authenticity and accuracy in warbird operations from a heritage and provenance point of view.
The reason that is done is to avoid confusion between authentic heritage and recreated heritage.
Museum's strive to preserve and portray aircraft as historic records, where as warbirds do have an element of "toys for the boys" (and if they spend the money, they are entitled to enjoy them).
However this creates the risk of mis-information (even un-intended) rather than education to the general public and even fellow aviation enthusiasts, an example recently stumbled over is below:
http://www.vintagewings.ca/page?a=51&lang=en-CA
An except from the "Just Plane Fun" newsletter of the "Vintage Wings of Canada Foundation" (keeping alive Canada's aviation heritage)
Quote:
A rare and welcome visitor was the Australian-built North-American Harvard-like Wirraway (an Aborigine word for “challenge”). Built by CAC (Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation), the Wirraway was the first aircraft mass produced in Australia, some 755 copies being built. They were used as fighter-bombers against the Japanese. The Wirraway traces its roots to an early development of the Harvard - the NA-16. The Wirraway along with the PT-22 Ryan arrived from nearby Smiths Falls where they are owned by Bobby Hanson. Photo: Peter Handley
The "Wirraway" is actually a US built T6 fitted with a geared 1340 and three blade prop, and an RAN paint scheme, it was apparantly originally built and flown by a US owner who also operated a Sea Fury in RAN colours.
Other than the engine, prop and paint scheme there is little effort to duplicate the Wirraway unique features.
The structural differences between the Wirraway and T6 are nearly as significant as calling a "Spitfire", a "Hurricane", as the monocoque rear fuselage, metal side panels, different wing outer panels, different wing centre-section, different canopy, different tailplanes, elevators and rudder are all different.
The result provides little accurate resemblance to a Wirraway, and it can't really be even considered a replica? Its simply a modified T6, but its not reported as such? even to fellow enthusiasts? in an aviation heritage organisation?
Obviously there is no malice intended here by the owner nor reporter, or organisation, and an Australian RAN Wirraway paint scheme is a welcome flag waving for us aussies, and a different colour scheme on the flight line.
But the educational and heritage value of "warbirding" is reduced when the fine details, and the "accuracy" is left out.
There is a one original CAC Wirraway in the USA, the former "yellow" Moorabbin Air Museum Wirraway A20-649 now with Kermit Weeks.
regards
Mark Pilkington
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While you may be the expert on the P-51, I will admit, that I am not. And even though I have been familiar with the B-25 for 31 years, I admit that even though I know A lot about this particular medium bomber, I am not an expert. I was merely tossing my "opinion" into the thread Rich. thanks man....but we're still 
