Warbird Information Exchange

"Certainly no European warbird would ever bear such a garish scheme."

You know, probably, that this pink scheme was actually used on some PR.XI during WWII.

Just as you know, probably, that a pinkish scheme was actually used on some North African P-40 during WWII.

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It was a good idea, it just didn't work.

Not probably, actually. The info's there. PRU Pink.

http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/magazine/2 ... tfires.htm

http://www.airplane-pictures.net/image8237.html

In the link I gave earlier, Sue Parish explained the rationale of why she had her P-40 painted in those colours, and frankly, that was a good enough reason for me, given the who and why. For those who haven't read it, it (very vaguely) represents a faded 'Desert Pink' (originally a more sandy colour, going to pinki(ish) when faded) that certain US N African aircraft attained. Additionally, she 'feminised' the shark's mouth by adding eyelashes to the eyes and 'lipstick'. In that degree it takes it from a poor attempt at an authentic scheme to a legitimate personalised scheme for the owner's preference.

There's an important difference.

Back in the boys' toys world when that was first done, that type of scheme was the standard, everyone flying high gloss vaguely accurate schemes. Importantly it made Sue's machine stick out as the girl's 'plane which given the excess testosterone sloshing around then and now is a good thing, IMHO, and provided a focus for the women and girls interested in warbirds or overlooked history like the WASPS to latch onto.

Unlike many wannabes with more cash than class, she wasn't pretending to be a warplane pilot, as a W.W.II WASP, she had been and didn't find it easy to do either.

That scheme is now a significant historic warbird scheme in its own right and painting the P-40 back into it's own (historically insignificant but wartime) prior 'authentic' scheme would be to try and erase an important person's achievement in the broadening and development of the warbird game. Personally I loathe pink as a colour, but in that case, it's the right colour an an historic warbird.

ChrisDNT, I've researched, confirmed and responded to a legitimate question. I'd be interested in your thoughtful response and reactions.

Regards,

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James K

"Switch on the underwater landing lights"
Emilio Largo, Thunderball.

www.VintageAeroWriter.com

Bill Painter from the Air Zoo wanted me to clarify the question regarding the R-4360 QEC. This engine is in fact for the B-50 and not the B-36. The B-36 poster in front of the engine is there only because the museum could not find a B-50 poster as interesting as the B-36 poster is.

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Ain't no sunshine when she's gone!

Any pics of the museum's F-8 Crusader? Pretty sure my Uncle has seat time in it while with VF-211

Thanks in advance if you do

Shay
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Semper Fortis

Thanks for the clarification Pat! I'll edit that to say B-50.

Sorry Shay, but it doesn't look like I have any pics of the Crusader. Maybe Kalamazookid could help us out with that?

Greg

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Looking at my B-36 pictures I will say I think you are correct that it is not off a B-36.

Tim

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www.tailhookstudio.com

This might be THE historic warbird. Not famous for it's exploits during the war, but for it's exploits long after it.

I remember when the pink P-40 first appeared on the airshow scene.

Most people at the time said exactly what ChrisDNT just said! It's a reasonable reaction.

The North Africa explanation was advanced from the beginning. Some bought it. Others thought it dishonest. Given the hot pink shade, mix of MTO and AVG markings, airbrushing, and girlie face, any historical pretext was thin. Many felt Sue and the Zoo should just have said, "we like pink," instead of passing it off as in any way accurate.

I had a strongly negative reaction to the scheme at first, then came to be indifferent. Notwithstanding the Airzoo's rhetoric, it didn't really purport to be historical. Over time I found myself more annoyed with paint schemes that tried to be accurate but weren't, than ones that didn't really try. This one went in the box with Burstine's Mustang.

The passage of time seems to make a different to some folks. It doesn't to me. It's still just a silly paint job.

When we start to talk of "historical warbirds," I think the warbird fraternity is getting a little too full of itself.

August

Here's a link to a pic I have of the Crusader on my old Webshots account. Sorry I couldn't figure out how to post it here as anything other than a thumbnail from Webshots.

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1345339942067834299znAuQu

Been painted like that as long as I can remember.

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Matt

Thanks Matt!

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