Warbird Information Exchange

1. When was the new insignia painted on?
2. When was the OD stripped?
3. When was the gun tub removed?
Clearly all after Nov 1942

Lt Gen. George Brett deplanes from the Swoose in Panama Nov. 1942
Note the white paint wearing off the red ball on the US insignia.

Maj. Gen. Johnson and Lt Gen Brett by thge Swoose in Panama Nov. 1942.
BTW Brett's son is retired Lt Gen Rock Brett who flew more missions than just about anyone and has more medals
than Audie Murphy ever dreamed of!! I think Gen Brett and Swoosie Kurtz should have some input to how the a/c
is restored/displayed

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Don't touch my junk!!

I wholeheartedly agree with that statement, Jack! Their input should be heavily considered, after all, they both have closer connections to the aircraft than anyone else!

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Victory By Valor (Motto of the 20th Fighter Group)

So it did carry the tub with the O.D. paint, and the Swoose art work. I think this may be an option for it's restoration.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director

I BEG to differ:
(cited from http://www.audiemurphy.com/statemnt.htm )


Audie Murphy: The most decorated US Soldier in WWII(and beyond)

AWARDS

He is authorized the Medal of Honor; Distinguished Service Cross; Silver Star with First Oak Leaf Cluster; Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device and First Oak Leaf Cluster; Purple Heart with Second Oak Leaf Cluster; Legion of Merit; Good Conduct Medal; Distinguished Unit Emblem with First Oak Leaf Cluster; American Campaign Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one silver service star, three bronze service stars and one bronze service arrowhead; World War II Victory Medal; Combat Infantry Badge; Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar; Expert Badge with Bayonet Bar; French Fourragere in Colors of the Croix de Guerre; French Legion of Honor, Grade of Chevalier; French Croix de Guerre with silver star, and the Belgian Croix de Guerre 1940 with Palm.

Robbie

I'll still go with Rocky Brett even though he didn't receive the MOH.
He has around 60 awards and decorations.
BTW when was the Swoose painted black on her belly?

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Don't touch my junk!!

As she would have appeared going into combat:









And after being painted OD




Now here's the question. The Swoose was salvaged in Jan/Feb of 42 after a little over a month of combat. My question is when was her OD first applied? In the field or when she was salvaged in Melbourne?

Gary has a quick reference for paint schemes. maybe he could see for that early 42 time frame if the undersides were painted black. Or is it possible that black paint she has on now is just the OD that was slapped on for display purpouses that has just darked over the years?

Shay
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Semper Fortis

I'm no expert, but in '42, black was for the camoflauge livery, not overall OD, correct? The underside would have been gray when paired with OD. If that is not correct, someone say so...

it got the OD paint and black belly in March/april 1946 at March AFB, before it went to LA as a war memorial. Page 123 in the The Swoose . Prior to that, it was polished metal.

I really like the polished aluminum with early US markings. It would look really nice to recreate that.

Just an opinion. To be honest I'm up for any paint scheme, as long as it's on display.

Cheers,

David

It was painted "kinda" O.D. after it was sent down to Del Monte a few days before the attack on Clark.

The pics Jack posted it looks like it is OD with black. Images are quoted as Nov. 1942????

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Once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards... for there you have been and there you will long to return. Leonardo daVinci

You must have better eyes than I do, all I see is worn OD and darker areas that are shadows.

Appendix 1, page 181 started life in bare metal, painted brown and swampy green, Dec 41, paint stripped in Panama early 1944, painted OD and black in Kingman March/April 46

First Swoose logo was in Feb 42, colors were:
black for the beak, eye,bombsight, bomb fins, rudder, propeller, foot, lower leg, wing hinges, and 2000 LBS,
Chrome yellow for birds neck, bomb,
Red for "IT FLYS ?"
Brown for the body, wings, and "THE SWOOSE"
green gray for the background

That, Sir, is why you are the man...

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Once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards... for there you have been and there you will long to return. Leonardo daVinci

You're kidding, right?

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"Everyone wants to live here (New Jersey), evidenced by the fact that it has the highest population per capita in the U.S..."

Why not. Her dad was the pilot and named the a/c (?) and her
after it. That's a pretty close connection. Same goes for Gen
Brett. Should he have a say just because he's a General. BTW
Brett was still full time with the AF until 2006 has a IG with AR units.
I'm sure one call from him to Gen Metcalf and it would be restoration
has he say fit!

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Don't touch my junk!!