Tim Savage's P-40N gets a Repaint!

Warbird Kid · **Posted:** Wed Dec 13, 2023 3:40 pm

Tim purchased this P-40N from Vintage Wings of Canada and recently it was repainted by John's 360 Coatings.

In case you don't remember it went from this...

To now this...

Source for photos: https://www.facebook.com/johns360coatings

DH82EH · **Posted:** Wed Dec 13, 2023 4:04 pm

I guess they've gotta let the paint dry a bit before they put the shark mouth on it :wink:

Kidding of course.
Looks fantastic! Congratulations Tim!

Andy

Thomas_Mac · **Posted:** Wed Dec 13, 2023 4:50 pm

Looks fantastic!

Bradburger · **Posted:** Wed Dec 13, 2023 5:06 pm

Very nice scheme and paint job there!

Cheers

Paul

OD/NG · **Joined:** Fri Dec 16, 2016 1:36 pm **Posts:** 718

So refreshing to not see another Sharkmouth -we have enough of those to last a lifetime. I love it! IMO, the only future P-40 restorations that should receive a Sharkmouth would be B/C models to replicate the AVG livery - that's it!

What's the history on the paint scheme? Can anyone post the specific details, I'm interested.

Tim Savage · **Joined:** Mon May 03, 2004 8:26 pm **Posts:** 622

OD/NG wrote:

So refreshing to not see another Sharkmouth -we have enough of those to last a lifetime. I love it! IMO, the only future P-40 restorations that should receive a Sharkmouth would be B/C models to replicate the AVG livery - that's it!

What's the history on the paint scheme? Can anyone post the specific details, I'm interested.

This is the April 1942, 49th Fighter Group, 9th Fighter Squadron mount of John D Landers flown in the defense of Darwin. Known for his 78th FG paint scheme "Big Beautiful Doll", most people don't realize that Landers scored his first six kills in the PTO in P-40s. The defense of Darwin and the involvement of the US forces is not well known and I wanted to tell a different story with my P-40 than the typical.

marine air · **Posted:** Wed Dec 13, 2023 10:08 pm

So, did Landers survive mortal combat in Darwin or become a victim of "Darwinism?" Also, I liked the old scheme but this one is better. Very pristine and accurate. WHen the warbird movement first started it was common for every new owner to repaint the airplane so that it became Theirs. Now , a repaint is so expensive and the quality is so much higher than fifty years ago, repainting has become a rarity.

marine air · **Posted:** Wed Dec 13, 2023 10:08 pm

So, did Landers survive mortal combat in Darwin or become a victim of "Darwinism?" Also, I liked the old scheme but this one is better. Very pristine and accurate. WHen the warbird movement first started it was common for every new owner to repaint the airplane so that it became Theirs. Now , a repaint is so expensive and the quality is so much higher than fifty years ago, repainting has become a rarity.

Xray · **Joined:** Fri Sep 24, 2010 1:25 am **Posts:** 485

The orange framed eagle looks pretty awkward, but I assume its an original marking, so ,,,

OD/NG · **Joined:** Fri Dec 16, 2016 1:36 pm **Posts:** 718

Tim Savage wrote:

OD/NG wrote:

So refreshing to not see another Sharkmouth -we have enough of those to last a lifetime. I love it! IMO, the only future P-40 restorations that should receive a Sharkmouth would be B/C models to replicate the AVG livery - that's it!

What's the history on the paint scheme? Can anyone post the specific details, I'm interested.

This is the April 1942, 49th Fighter Group, 9th Fighter Squadron mount of John D Landers flown in the defense of Darwin. Known for his 78th FG paint scheme "Big Beautiful Doll", most people don't realize that Landers scored his first six kills in the PTO in P-40s. The defense of Darwin and the involvement of the US forces is not well known and I wanted to tell a different story with my P-40 than the typical.

Great choice! Thanks for the info, Tim, I look forward to seeing your plane in person someday.

Dan K · **Posted:** Thu Dec 14, 2023 6:20 am

Xray wrote:

The orange framed eagle looks pretty awkward, but I assume its an original marking, so ,,,

C'mon man...it took almost 3 minutes (over morning coffee) to pull up additional "awkward" 49th FG schemes:

"Star Dust" (White 86)

https://www.ww2online.org/image/view-so ... t-andrew-j

White 83

https://www.ww2online.org/image/curtiss ... uinea-1942

"Scatterbrain" (White 70)

https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/P-40/49FG/p ... 42-02.html

Ps. Really enjoying the new paint, Tim Savage! I'm gonna' need a larger drool rag at Oshkosh for all the Curtisses.

TAdan · **Posted:** Thu Dec 14, 2023 7:47 am

I really liked the old scheme... and I really like the new one too! Looks fantastic.

kalamazookid · **Posted:** Thu Dec 14, 2023 8:03 am

Love the paint scheme! It's nice to see the 9th FS honored. There was a lot of cool nose art and schemes in that group, and Landers is an excellent choice of pilot to honor. I believe George Preddy also made his combat debut with the 9th FS.

MKD1966 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 14, 2023 9:01 am

Tim Savage wrote:

OD/NG wrote:

So refreshing to not see another Sharkmouth -we have enough of those to last a lifetime. I love it! IMO, the only future P-40 restorations that should receive a Sharkmouth would be B/C models to replicate the AVG livery - that's it!

What's the history on the paint scheme? Can anyone post the specific details, I'm interested.

This is the April 1942, 49th Fighter Group, 9th Fighter Squadron mount of John D Landers flown in the defense of Darwin. Known for his 78th FG paint scheme "Big Beautiful Doll", most people don't realize that Landers scored his first six kills in the PTO in P-40s. The defense of Darwin and the involvement of the US forces is not well known and I wanted to tell a different story with my P-40 than the typical.

Mr. Tim - she looks B-E-A-U-TIFUL !!!

Baldeagle · **Posted:** Thu Dec 14, 2023 11:29 am

What a great color scheme and story!
When I win the lottery my P-40 will be "Star Dust"...

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Tim Savage's P-40N gets a Repaint!

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