Hi Steve
Thanks for your facinating post – it is really informative. I will yield to the experts here to comment in detail but a few points
I hope you are right about the blue- as I said the team did research this with the AWM before it was painted and it does look great
As I said a lot of confusion about this scheme is caused by the 3 different P40s which wore these codes and colors so it is quite concievable that differences can be attributed in part to the confusion this has caused over time
I am not sure as to the correctness of the underwing roundel but your explaination seems as good as any – perhaps if you can post a photo to clarify it once and for all.
I once saw a copy of an order enforcing the repainting of Sqn Codes either in very light green or white in the desert as the darker colors were indistinct at distance – perhaps this accounts for the code color change between photos of the same aircraft? I know this is the wrong way round but I can’t think of any other explaination other than the white was then too prominant!!
The nose art was supposed to be done from a template that was reused so I don’t know why it should have varied from one machine to the other.
The windscreen was determined by the actual aircraft which was restored – that was the way it was on this former RNZAF machine. I supose they could have changed it but most wouldn’t notice and I guess it was not always known which colour scheme / identity this machine would be finished in.
The wheels – well I would have gone for P40 but remember this machine shares the hanger with a P51(CAC) and Col owned a Harvard(Does he still I didn’t see it there)(same wheels ) so I guess for servicability he chose to go with what he had and that way he has to carry only 1 wheel/tyre.
Your brothers drawing. Please don’t take offence – throughout this post I have asked that everyone provide constructive critism to assist not detract from what is a magnificent achievement in this restoration. I have written a few books and from the minute they leave your desk they are open to critical examination and I don’t take it personally I just adjust it when – if I am lucky – I get to revise it for the next reprint. No one person has the seat of all knowledge. The drawing is fine but as you say color title will have to be revised next time. As I said earlier I was told that the AWM was the source of the scheme advice so I think the discussion of the drawing is superfluous in any case – I don’t think it played a role.
Once again thanks for the insights of this post and I hope you remain involved as it progresses
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Kindest regards
John p
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