Paul Allen's ME-109 flies!

[gary1954]

Thanks man, I'll check my database once I get back to daHouse

okayyyy lets pull back off the throttle

Everyone's fine, I'm fine, your fine .... I like my throttle wide open ... it's a beautiful day here today, sunny, warm, .... life's good ...

I'm wondering about that P-40. Is there something going on with the paint in one location? Looks a bit roughed up, or is it just the photo?

PS ... I have been thoroughly enjoying this thread. Love this stuff.

[Sasquatch]

As I understand it, the paint is temporary "hollywood" wax-based watercolor paint...or something like that. Can't remember what the docent told me was the reason it was painted like that...maybe for a commercial or something. Anyway, water washes it off, and that spot has had some leakage or water on it, so it's a little goofed up. I'm sure someone out there knows the exacts...but that's what I can recall from the tour.

--Tom

[Mike]

I'm wondering about that P-40. Is there something going on with the paint in one location? Looks a bit roughed up, or is it just the photo?

It was applied as a temporary scheme when the aircraft was first restored by Fighter Rebuilders quite a few years ago now. It was then sold to Paul Allen, who has kept the temporary scheme in place. I suspect that it will be completely 're-restored' at some point, to the 'Flying Heritage' standard.

[spookythecat]

I'm wondering about that P-40. Is there something going on with the paint in one location? Looks a bit roughed up, or is it just the photo?

If you're talking about Paul Allen's I believe it was painted up for a movie or something. I really like the looks of it.

[Sasquatch]

Nice pittures Al!

[TAdan]

I'm wondering about that P-40. Is there something going on with the paint in one location? Looks a bit roughed up, or is it just the photo?

It was applied as a temporary scheme when the aircraft was first restored by Fighter Rebuilders quite a few years ago now. It was then sold to Paul Allen, who has kept the temporary scheme in place. I suspect that it will be completely 're-restored' at some point, to the 'Flying Heritage' standard.

That is the story I've heard too. Just a temporary scheme.

If you Google around for a bit you may find the original page for the planes first post-resto flight. It explains the paintscheme as temporary.

[Mike]

Here's an interesting account of this particular P-40's history with the Soviet AF

http://lend-lease.airforce.ru/english/a ... /index.htm

[RMAllnutt]

I'm wondering about that P-40. Is there something going on with the paint in one location? Looks a bit roughed up, or is it just the photo?

If you're talking about Paul Allen's I believe it was painted up for a movie or something. I really like the looks of it.

The aircraft was painted up in these markings when it was first restored as a tribute to Erik Schilling, the former AVG pilot, who was on close terms with the guys at Fighter Rebuilders. It was only intended as a temporary scheme until Stephen Grey (then the owner) decided what colors to mark it up in. It was never repainted, as shortly after the restoration and first flights were completed TFC sold it to Paul Allen, and it's stayed in the same scheme ever since as far as I know.

Cheers,
Richard

[warbird1]

The below Myrt (Sauin) doesn't look good in the pictures but it is really a SUPERB a/c. I have old pictures somewhere on my PC.

http://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/c6n/moen.html

I wonder how Paul Allen would have gotten that Myrt out of there? It is/was on Moen Island, which is part of the Truk lagoon archipelago. The government in Truk has had a ban on the export of war relics for a very, very long time and is known as being nearly impossible to get anything out of there. I don't believe any airplanes have left there since the mid-70's, IIRC! But then again, when you are a man of power and influence such as Paul Allen, you could probably get just about anything you want. I hope you are right about those two airplanes, Ron!

Last edited by warbird1 on Thu Mar 27, 2008 3:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[warbird1]

As I understand it, the paint is temporary "hollywood" wax-based watercolor paint...or something like that. Can't remember what the docent told me was the reason it was painted like that...maybe for a commercial or something. Anyway, water washes it off, and that spot has had some leakage or water on it, so it's a little goofed up. I'm sure someone out there knows the exacts...but that's what I can recall from the tour.

--Tom

RMAllnutt is correct about the paint scheme. Eric had a great relationship with the POF and/or Steve Hinton, so they wanted to recognize that and paint the airplane up in his colors for pictures before he passed. As far as the "Hollywood" paint, yes it is mainly wax. They take part "Mop and Glo" and part water colors and make the temporary paint scheme. AFAIK, that airplane has not taken part in any commercials or movie work.

[Flashonyrsix]

Tom
If the docent was a rather chubby old guy it was me, I liked to point out the scorch on the door, glad you enjoyed the tour Art and I have a lot of fun giving them.

Norm

[spookythecat]

If I remember correctly the P-40 had multiple patches on the fuselage and wing from being shot up. Anybody know for sure?

[Mike]

True, Al.

I've got close-up shots of the combat damage that I took in the UK prior to the airframe being shipped to Chino for restoration. A true combat vet, with lots of history. A bullet through the oil tank brought it down, you could clearly see the entry and exit holes on the original tank.

[Sasquatch]

Hello Norm...and YES, it was you! Glad to be reminded of your name and sorry I forgot it in the first place. You gave me an absolutely superb tour that day, for which I remain grateful to this day. I really appreciated the time you spent with me, even though I was the only guy there that day. You could have just as easily rushed me through so everyone could go home. I sure learned a boatload from you and Art...so much so that I couldn't wait to bring my wife and friends around for a second tour when a buddy from Texas came to town. He too has remarked of how cool the whole experience was, so you guys done good for sure!

Thanks again Norm...

--Tom