Some pic's from FHC.

[Mike]

I thought the whole idea of the marking on the P-40C is that they ARE waterslide decals, just like the original AVG unit markings.

[shrike]

From what I recall, they originally were waterslide decals produced by or for Disney. That accounts for the lack of variation in the logo.
I'd say he did a great job of duplicating that.

[JohnTerrell]

262crew, thank you for posting the images!

As mentioned, all of the markings/emblems that were originally hand painted in the field, were hand painted on the aircraft. In the case of the Flying Tigers emblem, it was designed by Disney and provided to the AVG as decals, and that detail has been reproduced as well. There was an original surviving example on Ebay last year, around the time that the aircraft was being repainted.

[CWBuff]

On the question of the leaping tiger decals...

They were not water-slides... and they were not self-adhering 'stick-ons' either.

Here's a quote from a thread on the old Flying Tigers / AVG forums which explains things very nicely:

The Osprey book "American Volunteer Group Colors and Markings" is an excellent source of information. They are however, wrong on one aspect of the decals. They stated correctly that they were not water slide decals. They were produced in right and left hand versions for each side of the aircraft. They are correct in that the tiger and the "V" shape wern't connected. The sideways "V" was rarely used on the aircraft. They were however NOT stick on decals. They did have a thin paper layer over the back or reverse side of the decal. A layer of laquer was to be painted on the aircraft and let set until tacky. Then the thin sheet of sticky protective paper was removed from the back of the decal and the decal pressed onto the tacky laquer. It was pressed and smoothed out flat. After drying, the layer of paper on the face of the decal was removed with water disolving the paper and then the decal dried and another layer of laquer was put over the top. I got this info off the back of an un-used AVG decal. I have one that has been mounted on painted masonite by an AVG member, who, so far, is unknown. There is a matching reverse mate to mine that was done at the same time owned by another collector. Hope this helps clear up a few of the unanswered questions.

Richard Peacher

Fade to Black...

[lmritger]

Just beautiful shots, thanks! I can't wait for them to take out the Me 163 on the Luftwaffe flight day...

...oh, who am I kidding. That would be awesome though, wouldn't it?

Lynn

[262crew]

Just beautiful shots, thanks! I can't wait for them to take out the Me 163 on the Luftwaffe flight day...

...oh, who am I kidding. That would be awesome though, wouldn't it?

Lynn

Thank you very much! There was talk a few years ago about an J-85/CJ 610 (same power plant as the reproduction ME 262's) powered new build ME 163. I wish someone would do it! The only flying 163 belongs to the Messerschmidt foundation (also the owners of Tango Tango the second ME 262 reproduction) in Manching Germany.

[Sopwith]

Very nice,thanks for showing us them.What type of camera were they done with?

Well its not that new, Ive had it for two years at least? But I dont use it often. There are so many functions that its nearly impossible for an amateur to use! It's a NIKON D3000.

Thanks for the reply,always interested in cameras.That Nikon does a good job and yourself for that matter.Great.

[Mike]

Just beautiful shots, thanks! I can't wait for them to take out the Me 163 on the Luftwaffe flight day...

...oh, who am I kidding. That would be awesome though, wouldn't it?

Lynn

Thank you very much! There was talk a few years ago about an J-85/CJ 610 (same power plant as the reproduction ME 262's) powered new build ME 163. I wish someone would do it! The only flying 163 belongs to the Messerschmidt foundation (also the owners of Tango Tango the second ME 262 reproduction) in Manching Germany.

Me 262 is jet-powered

Me163 is rocket-powered, different thing entirely. The talk was of an XCOR rocket-powered Me163 replica. I don't think anyone has seriously proposed putting a jet in an Me163 replica.

[kalamazookid]

Just beautiful shots, thanks! I can't wait for them to take out the Me 163 on the Luftwaffe flight day...

...oh, who am I kidding. That would be awesome though, wouldn't it?

Lynn

Thank you very much! There was talk a few years ago about an J-85/CJ 610 (same power plant as the reproduction ME 262's) powered new build ME 163. I wish someone would do it! The only flying 163 belongs to the Messerschmidt foundation (also the owners of Tango Tango the second ME 262 reproduction) in Manching Germany.

The hard part will be finding a pilot who has a death wish to fly it.

[The Inspector]

No, what will be worse is all the NIMBYs from Mukilteo stampeding the airport waving weed whackers over the noise! The neighbors, who mostly moved to the area in the early 70's are whats keeping KPAE (first opened in 1936) from starting scheduled air service, if you fire off a rocket engined aircraft they're liable to bite someone. Of course they'd all freak out if the lazy 'B' moved away-the Monkees put it perfectly in their song 'Another Pleasant Valley Sunday'.
And Cdr. Eric Brown flew 5 different tailless aircraft after the war and said the 163 was the easiest to fly, had the best stablity, and was a well mannered design.

[mike furline]

What are the numbers on the lower fuselage? Are they station ID's?

They are the frame #'s.

[262crew]

Very nice,thanks for showing us them.What type of camera were they done with?

Well its not that new, Ive had it for two years at least? But I dont use it often. There are so many functions that its nearly impossible for an amateur to use! It's a NIKON D3000.

Thanks for the reply,always interested in cameras.That Nikon does a good job and yourself for that matter.Great.

Thank you!

[262crew]

Just beautiful shots, thanks! I can't wait for them to take out the Me 163 on the Luftwaffe flight day...

...oh, who am I kidding. That would be awesome though, wouldn't it?

Lynn

Thank you very much! There was talk a few years ago about an J-85/CJ 610 (same power plant as the reproduction ME 262's) powered new build ME 163. I wish someone would do it! The only flying 163 belongs to the Messerschmidt foundation (also the owners of Tango Tango the second ME 262 reproduction) in Manching Germany.

Me 262 is jet-powered

Me163 is rocket-powered, different thing entirely. The talk was of an XCOR rocket-powered Me163 replica. I don't think anyone has seriously proposed putting a jet in an Me163 replica.

I understand this, as I have worked on both types. ME 163 and the ME 262. I know about the XCOR 163 replica, I am speaking about the J-85/CJ 610 powered ME 163. The engineering is complete and it was to have retracts and inlet(s) for the air breathing motor. All it needed was money. If you have never been up close to the 163, its a lot roomier than it looks in books. I'm over 6' and I had all kinds of leg and elbow room. Much more room than the 262!

[Lynn Allen]

Well done, your camera tests very well...