Rod Lewis Douglas A-20G Havoc STATUS???

[SaxMan]

Don't have any info for you, but it's been far too long since an airworthy A-20 has graced the skies. Can't wait to see this one finished.

[Warbirdnerd]

There is a nugget about it in the unofficial Oshkosh 2015 tread if that helps.

[Lon Moer]

There is a nugget about it in the unofficial Oshkosh 2015 tread if that helps.

http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=54814&start=45

[GregP]

I'm at Chino on a regular basis and the project is going well, but Carl Scholl has said that a "no pics" was requested. Siffice o say it is looking pretty good.

[StangStung]

I really hope Rod Lewis does not opt for a spurious WWII scheme. A lot of people will be looking at the world's only flying A-20 so I think its worth the extra effort to do it right.

Based on past experience, I wouldn't hold out hope here. You're most likely to get a semi accurate paint scheme, and guaranteed to get a girl on the nose that looks like she came from an 80s Bud Light poster.

But you will get to see a well resorted flying A-20. Gotta take the good with the bad.

I hope I live to eat those words, though.

[Warbird Kid]

I really hope Rod Lewis does not opt for a spurious WWII scheme. A lot of people will be looking at the world's only flying A-20 so I think its worth the extra effort to do it right.

Based on past experience, I wouldn't hold out hope here. You're most likely to get a semi accurate paint scheme, and guaranteed to get a girl on the nose that looks like she came from an 80s Bud Light poster.

But you will get to see a well resorted flying A-20. Gotta take the good with the bad.

I hope I live to eat those words, though.

It seems with Lewis' collection it goes one of two ways...

1. The more flashy glossy type schemes you mentioned.
Sea Fury, P-47D, Tigercat, B-25, TF-51

2. The more accurate (older) aircraft schemes.
P-40B/C, F4F, P-39, P-38

[MKD1966]

But you will get to see a well resorted flying A-20. Gotta take the good with the bad.

I hope I live to eat those words, though.[/quote]


It seems with Lewis' collection it goes one of two ways...

1. The more flashy glossy type schemes you mentioned.
Sea Fury, P-47D, Tigercat, B-25, TF-51

2. The more accurate (older) aircraft schemes.
P-40B/C, F4F, P-39, P-38[/quote]

Keep in mind as well that of option # 2 - the F4F, P-39 & P-38 were restored and painted before Mr. Lewis acquired them - I'm not sure about the P-40 he has...

[GregP]

I have seen quite a few Rod Lewis aircraft as a volunteer at the planes of Fame and also at their airshow. There isn't a one that is other than very good-looking. I don't give much of a care if the paint is 100% accurate since no military aircraft were ever as good-looking as his planes are or as well cared for. One of the great things about owning a warbird yourself is that YOU get to decorate as YOU want.

If I had a Tigercat, I'd want it in dark Navy blue like Slattery's two Tigercats (374 and 375), but I couldn't care less if the unit markings were historically accurte or not. I'm not a wannbe nilitary pilot ... just a pilot who wants to fly a warbird for the same reason I'd love to have a 426 Hemi Roadrunner ... power and the chance to play with it.

Nothing wrong with being accurate, but I seriously wonder why anyone would bother doing it unless maybe your dad or other family relative was in the unit. Having been in the USAF I can say that not all the birds in any squadron I saw were all alike in paint. Some got transferred in and were left as they came except for new unit markings. Not all the paint was the same shade, either. We had B-52's and KC-135's at Ellsworth and after sitting out all winter there were several shades that were supposed to be all the same color ... and weren't.

Sometimes (for maintenance) they's pull a B-52 inside a hangar, but the tail always stayed outside and there was a hole in the door that fit around the rear fuselage. So no 2 tails had quite the same finish as they weathered.

[Hemiman]

A worthy suggestion. Dad's favorite pilot Jim "Two Gun" Brown in his A-20. Named for Jim's brother who was KIA at Anzio..

[GregP]

I'm looking forward to seeing it fly ... that's for sure.

[Nathan]

When there is no other A-20 flying in the world, it better have accurate paint and markings! So many awesome markings from the Pacific war. Why do so many people have a lack of interest in a warbird painted in something accurate? It would be such a huge loss and chance to be able to paint one up to represent one that DID look like that back in the war? Yes an owner can do what they want and Im fine with that. But paint a P-51 any color you want as there are 150-200 still flying. Paint accurately for those that are not lucky to have such numbers.

[RyanShort1]

When there is no other A-20 flying in the world, it better have accurate paint and markings! So many awesome markings from the Pacific war. Why do so many people have a lack of interest in a warbird painted in something accurate? It would be such a huge loss and chance to be able to paint one up to represent one that DID look like that back in the war? Yes an owner can do what they want and Im fine with that. But paint a P-51 any color you want as there are 150-200 still flying. Paint accurately for those that are not lucky to have such numbers.

My bet is on him painting it his own colors just because of remarks like this. And after all, if he has it rebuilt and restored, someone else can paint it what they like when he's gone. What's the huge loss Nathan? None are flying right now.

[JohnTerrell]

One of the things always mentioned about this restoration (the A-20), is the level of authenticity/accuracy being put into it. I got to see it around this time last year (though no photos allowed) and was very impressed. I really hope the rumor is true and we will see it flying very soon - Aerotrader always does fantastic work, all the way to the final touches. It would be a great one to have at this year's Thunder Over Michigan airshow as well, with its bomber theme.

There really aren't many warbirds within the Lewis Air Legends collection that aren't based on original/authentic military paint schemes - even if personal nose art has been added, the rest of the paint work is usually still based on actual military paint schemes. I'm surprised the P-47 wasn't grouped into the authentic schemes, as the full paint job is based entirely on an original wartime P-47 (or his Spitfire Mk.V "Marion", and FG-1D Corsair painted in Ira Kepford markings). I really love the different flavors and variety of paint schemes on the Lewis warbirds - save for the nose art, schemes like those of the Soviet B-25, Taiwan Bearcat and Cuban Sea Fury, are all based on original military paint schemes (for instance, prior to the nose art being added to the B-25, the rest of the paint work was carried out by Aerotrader, exactly to original NAA specifications for painting B-25's to Russian order (and as seen in original wartime photos)).

The only thing I wish is that the public could see more of the collection's aircraft out and about, especially when considering the P-39, which hasn't been seen publicly since being sold from The Fighter Collection in 2010. Still, not my planes, not my money. I'm glad they are all with someone who keeps them well maintained and flying.

[Nathan]

My bet is on him painting it his own colors just because of remarks like this.

I highly doubt that.

What's the huge loss Nathan?

Does an airplane minded guy have to really ask that? Ummm, perhaps losing out in honoring an aircraft and crew? We ARE talking about history here. Perhaps they should paint the Eiffel towel pink and make it 50 feet shorter, they can do what they want with it..

[GregP]

Yes they can, though I seriously doubt it would increase tourism ... at least tourism among pastel color-minded individuals.

I'm very airplane-minded. I served in two US Miliitary services and have been an aircraft nut for more than 60 years, but am not very paint-minded. It want it to look good, be taken care of, and number one ... flown, but the paint is up to the owner.