The "Dragon" gets a face-lift.

Tue Jun 13, 2006 6:06 pm

I'm out here in Marana, AZ at Bill Muszala's place. The "Green Dragon" came here to get some things fixed, so my dad and I came out here to pick it up. The plane got stripped from and is bare metal, but a new "Dragon" was painted on, much better in my opinion.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a5/Mister51/DSC_0001.jpg

Trey

Website · Tue Jun 13, 2006 6:47 pm

Hi

I think you will find that this is "Gameria" a cartoon character from Japan of the early 20th century - I could be wrong but i don't think so - they made some really bizare movies in the 60s and 70s of it

Regards
John P

Wed Jun 14, 2006 5:46 am

Its 38th BG, 405th BS, from the Southwest Pacific. I am not sure where the 405th got the original idea. Bruce Crandall the artist that painted the Dragon did a lot of research to make it look authentic to the group's aircraft.

Wed Jun 14, 2006 6:14 am

Tim...what's the history behind the paint scheme? Who flew it during WWII, and did it participate in any significant campaigns?

Wed Jun 14, 2006 6:40 am

Randy Haskin wrote:Tim...what's the history behind the paint scheme? Who flew it during WWII, and did it participate in any significant campaigns?

Actually, when the paint scheme is finished we will repaint the airplane back in the original OD and Gray with the Dragon's head to replicate a B-25D flown by Ralph Cheli who was shot down over Rabaul in 1943 and received the MOH.

Wed Jun 14, 2006 6:47 am

Trey,
When is the Dragon coming home to Indiana?
PJ

Wed Jun 14, 2006 8:02 am

Great work on the Dragon. I saw her last year in Reading PA. I loved the nose art, but I think this looks nicer, and more authentic. Can't wait to see it when it is done.

Wed Jun 14, 2006 8:34 am

http://www.afa.org/magazine/valor/1088valor.asp

Wed Jun 14, 2006 10:26 am

I think you will find that this is "Gameria" a cartoon character from Japan of the early 20th century - I could be wrong but i don't think so - they made some really bizare movies in the 60s and 70s of it

Regards
John P

John,

I've just got to ask: What were you drinking just before this post, and where can I get some? :wink:

Website · Wed Jun 14, 2006 3:01 pm

Dan

Really nice beer down here !!!

John P

Wed Jun 14, 2006 3:35 pm

setter wrote:Dan

Really nice beer down here !!!

John P

Musta been a stout batch Setter! What was it.."Ol' Toad Likker" or somesuch?

Wed Jun 14, 2006 4:03 pm

Tim Savage wrote:
Randy Haskin wrote:Tim...what's the history behind the paint scheme? Who flew it during WWII, and did it participate in any significant campaigns?

Actually, when the paint scheme is finished we will repaint the airplane back in the original OD and Gray with the Dragon's head to replicate a B-25D flown by Ralph Cheli who was shot down over Rabaul in 1943 and received the MOH.

Tim, will it also be getting greenhouse guns and glazing overpaint?
www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/albatros ... -25_02.jpg

Wish someone would do "Near Miss" one of these days.
The Dragon is looking good, thanks for the photo Trey!

Wed Jun 14, 2006 4:36 pm

Tim Savage wrote:Bruce Crandall the artist that painted the Dragon did a lot of research to make it look authentic to the group's aircraft.

So that is where Crandall got to! Hadn't seen him around Chino for some time. Must've gotten evicted from thje back of the Lodestar! :lol:

Wed Jun 14, 2006 4:51 pm

Looks cool, but ouldn't it be easier to paint it OD first?

Wed Jun 14, 2006 8:40 pm

PJ, you need to ask Tim Savage about our return, he's callin' the shots.

Django, painting everything O.D. takes more time and money, I understand this temporary scheme is to get through the summer, but I just clean it so I ain't makin' a call, but I like the bare metal myself.