Tadpole & "Barbie III"

[Jack Cook]

Major R.T. "Tadpole" Smith CO bomber Section 1st ACG Burma 1944

[Django]

Just curious, what is the purpose of the paint lines around the armour plating? (here in dark green)

On this site, there is a photo of Barbie with the armour outlined in white. Why did they do that? http://home.att.net/~C.C.Jordan/Baisden.html

[Matt Gunsch]

Don't know on the 25, but on A-26 Invaders, there is a wood fairing around the external armor

[Taigh Ramey]

The outline surrounds armor plate which was often a desired field modification. Later B-25's had this mod incorporated in the factory. Armor is a subjective term as it was actually thick aluminum. Since this extra thick formed plate was attached to the outside skin they would fair in the edges typically with tapered wood trim.

I believe what you are seeing on Barbie III is this field mod with cotton fabric tape doped over that wood trim which hasn't been painted or covered with camouflage dope yet.

[Django]

Why did they use wood?

[Matt Gunsch]

Why did they use wood?

It was everywhere and much easier to form a fairing with.

[Django]

I see the top photo has an aluminum fairing over the wood fairing. Did they all do that?

[51fixer]

I see the top photo has an aluminum fairing over the wood fairing. Did they all do that?

The leading edge would take the brunt of impact forces from things in the air. Rain will destroy paint and such at the speeds they fly at. Not to mention the dust and dirt from the runways. The wood would not stand up to that.
I would guess that in the 2nd picture they used the dope and fabric to seal that plate. Maybe corrosion or bugs had been noticed under the plate or in the wood so they sealed that area with the dope and fabric.
Rich

[hang the expense]

RT was the coolest.RIP