New Paint Scheme for Yankee Warrior

[kalamazookid]

Yankee Air Museum's B-25 "Yankee Warrior" is going to be repainted in the 489th BS markings it wore while based at Corsica during WWII! Announcement is in this video:

https://fb.watch/2rcBesBvDF/

I'm curious to see what camouflage pattern is going to be used as the 489th wore a few different and interesting schemes at various points in their service. Personally, I think it's fantastic that a combat vet B-25 is being put back in a scheme close to its original markings. Even if they come up with fictional nose art this is still a fitting choice for this aircraft.

[mike furline]

Kind of an odd history, overseas less than a month.
http://warbirdregistry.org/b25registry/b25-433634.html
http://joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1943_1.html

Assigned to the 489th BS/340th BG/57th BW, April 19, 1944.
Flew its first combat mission the day it arrived!
Flew 7 combat missions between April 23, 1944 and May 4, 1944.
Ferried back to the USA, May 12, 1944.

[TAdan]

I was a bit taken aback to hear this as I really think Yankee Warrior looks great in her current scheme. I did not realize she is an actual combat vet, in that case I'm all for it being put back into a scheme it would have had during the war.

[mazdaP5]

They must really be tired of polish parties over there.
Can't hardly wait to see her.

[Warbird Kid]

I was a bit taken aback to hear this as I really think Yankee Warrior looks great in her current scheme. I did not realize she is an actual combat vet, in that case I'm all for it being put back into a scheme it would have had during the war.

I liked the polished theme of all three birds too, since they became a thing with YAM decades ago. But I get them trying to diversify their fleet and get more notoriety in doing so. We saw it already happen with their beautiful C-47. (Thankfully we have Virginia Ann to carry on the Post WWII USAF scheme.) Just would have been nice to see both fly together in the same markings.

But since the C-47 repaint into CBI markings, I figured it was only a matter of time until we saw the original markings emerge for this combat vet. It will be exciting for sure! But as I was doing some image searching for what this B-25 will look like, it seems like there are a few different paint schemes for the 489th BS. So will it look like "Briefing Time" or like "Texas Rose" / "Berlin Express"? Something entirely different?

[Steve Nelson]

Good news! Are they keeping the Yankee Warrior name, or going with her wartime name "Ellen & Son?"

SN

Last edited by Steve Nelson on Thu Dec 17, 2020 8:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Steve Nelson]

it seems like there are a few different paint schemes for the 489th BS. So will it look like "Briefing Time" or like "Texas Rose" / "Berlin Express"? Something entirely different?

This is the only wartime photo I've seen of the plane. Looks like standard Olive Drab over Neutral Gray, with yellow cowl rings. Probably a white "9C" on the tail, with yellow serial number and maybe a British-style fin flash (common practice in the MTO.)

SN

Last edited by Steve Nelson on Thu Dec 17, 2020 11:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[kalamazookid]

it seems like there are a few different paint schemes for the 489th BS. So will it look like "Briefing Time" or like "Texas Rose" / "Berlin Express"? Something entirely different?

This is the only wartime photo I've seen of the plane. Looks like standard Olive Drab over Neutral Gray, with yellow cowl rings. Probably a white "9D" on the tail, with yellow serial number and maybe a British-style fin flash.

SN

Nice find! That would be a really cool scheme!

[OD/NG]

it seems like there are a few different paint schemes for the 489th BS. So will it look like "Briefing Time" or like "Texas Rose" / "Berlin Express"? Something entirely different?

This is the only wartime photo I've seen of the plane. Looks like standard Olive Drab over Neutral Gray, with yellow cowl rings. Probably a white "9C" on the tail, with yellow serial number and maybe a British-style fin flash (common practice in the MTO.)

SN

What is that face supposed to be? It kind of looks like a clown, but I can't tell.

[Steve Nelson]

What is that face supposed to be? It kind of looks like a clown, but I can't tell.

I think it's a clown. I don't recall where I found this photo, but I know the Yankee Air Museum has it in their archives, and their copy is probably clearer.

SN

[Warbird Kid]

Doesn't it look like you can see a reflection of the engine cowling and prop in the fuselage? That would be bare metal wouldn't it?

Last edited by Warbird Kid on Fri Dec 18, 2020 5:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[k5083]

I think that's either a flaw in the negative or some marks on the fuselage. It wouldn't reflect that way; you wouldn't be able to see the cowl opening reflected on a part of the fuselage that's behind the front of the cowl.

But, I'm sure they are being attentive to whether it should be NMF or Neutral Gray. I was never clear on whether the gray on Briefing Time was done by mistake or on purpose; I heard conflicting accounts. But I imagine Ds were likely delivered in OD/NG, unlike Js.

Personally, I always hoped I would see this plane back in its postwar RCAF scheme one day. When I first got to know Gallant Warrior (as it was then named) in the 1980s, it still had the white upper fuselage and transport nose, and was just a few markings away from its old RCAF look.

August

[seabee1526]

I’m excited to see it. The video says od over ng. They make no mention of camo, with her relatively short time overseas I wonder if they even had time to put any paint on her other than the 9C. I most look forward to the bomb tally marks, knowing they are real not embellishments.

[Thomas_Mac]

Founds pics on reddit in this thread

[mike furline]

Maybe it's me, but I don't see black on the nose cowl in the original pic.