Warbird Information Exchange

A small painting I started long ago, thought several times of pitching, but a collector saw it and asked me to finish it. Finished 'er up today!




One for the Troops
8.5 x 14 in., oil on panel
Collection of Mr. Barry Panasik

Capt. Don S. Gentile was a 23-year old fighter pilot with the famous 4th Fighter Group, based at Debden, Essex, UK. A veteran of the Royal Air Force's 133 Eagle Squadron, Gentile rose to become the highest scoring ace of the 4th in terms of aerial victories (21.833, plus 3 damaged), a record that stands to this day.

He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, America's second-highest award for valor in combat, by General Eisenhower personally. 'Ike' remarked to Gentile, "You seem to be a one-man air force!" "Gentle", as he was called by those who fought with him, lost his life in a T-33 crash in Maryland in 1951.

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Very Nice Wade!!

I've wondered about the "Red" around the gun ports. I've seen depictions of Shangri La with and without the "Red". What was it, paint, tape? Also (if you know) what is the earliest known picture of Shangri La? I'm curious to know what the lowest number of victories she started with on her scroll after Don transitioned from "Donnie Boy".

Always thought it would be a fitting tribute to Major Gentile if a replica (fiberglass) of Shangri La were placed on display or on a pole in Piqua, OH.

Shay
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Semper Fortis

Shay - the earliest (for sure) pics of 43-6913 show her with a 21-kill scroll. She is shown with a half red, half white spinner, and also a full red nose, all showing 21 crosses on the scroll. There is one photo of the plane (in one piece, a day or so before the prang) with a 30-kill scroll. The crash photos show the same 30-scroll.

It is known that this plane had it's share of teething troubles, and one 20mm in the engine compartment on a combat mission didn't help. Gentile flew this plane only 14 times, including "air test" (slow time) flights. That, combined with the fact that his late run of kills occurred over a very short period of time explains the few documented "periods" of her markings.

Oh, the red was tape/doped fabric to keep the dirt out of the guns.

Piqua has a sign and a statue honoring Gentile. Interestingly, both of his childhood homes still stand. So does the bridge he flew his bipe under. Dude had a set. Don't know if I would DRIVE underneath with that low clearance!!

Wade

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Website: http://www.wademeyersart.com
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Nice work!

Exactly how is Gentile's name pronounced? I've heard it "Jenn-tile," Jenn-teel," and "Jenn-tilly."

SN

Looks good Wade

Now how bout one of Johnny Godfrey's silver B model with the nose checks.

Somewhat on the subject. I see lots of model builders finish Shangri La with 108 gallon paper tanks. Do you know when the 4th first carried them, and would Gentile's kite actually have flown with them on? Seems to me Shangri La wouldn't have carried them but I'm used to the photos showing VF-T with the 75 gallon tanks.

No better source than Don's sister - it's "Jen-tilly".

My best recollection is that the first paper tanks arrived at Debden after this plane crashed. It's in the 4th FG diaries which I am not near. Forgot when, maybe early May. There are certainly no photos from the early April timeframe (or Shangri-La) with them.

Speaking of gas, if you'll excuse me I have to add the fuel caps to the plane that I forgot!!

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Website: http://www.wademeyersart.com
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