Warbird Information Exchange

Wasn't there a thread or threads a while back on all the various civil Mustangs that have carried this name over the years?

Is this one of the more accurate variations?

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Neal Nurmi

---Wingman Photo---

Nope, not accurate at all. The upper OD wave patterns need to be blue.

Not just blue..bright baby blue!

Seriously, though..there has been considerable debate over the years as to whether Lou IV and other Mustangs for that squadron were painted blue or green on top. The controversy comes from an often reprinted series of color photos, which show a dark color that could be interpreted as blue or green. Personally, I tend to be in the camp that believes it was either OD or British Dark Green.


SN

This has been covered in many, many threads - there was no blue 361st FG a/c - all the evidence is that they were OD.

Sadly there has never been an accurate reproduction of the Lou IV colour scheme - shame when it is such a historically significant aircraft. Also there are enough photos around of it for their to be no excuse in getting it wrong.

The most common mistake is that Lou IV only appeared on the left side - on the right side should be 'Athelene.'

I recently visited where the original Lou IV came down in France - very atmospheric - it appears that a wing may have come off in flight according to eye witness reports - Col. Christian was bombing rail yards and he may have dropped his bombs to low and have flown through the blast or he may have pulled out too steeply. For more info see: -http://www.361fg.com/news.htm

I have just set up a small museum at Bottisham and have my business premises just opposite the old officers mess.

My offices

The memorial to Col. Christian in Bottisham

The museum open day

Inside the museum

Col. Christian's probable last resting place

Col. Christian

Lou IV/Athelene & the Bottisham 4

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www.361fg.com

It would probably be fair and a little more generous to say Yes, it is "one of the more accurate" variations. But as noted, it is not very accurate in absolute terms.

The major error is the name on the right side. I think also that the boundaries of the area painted green may be wrong on the right side. The green used is not very close to olive drab; it may be intended to represent British Dark Green, which is (or at least was, the last time I checked in on this important and thrilling debate a few years ago) a candidate for the true color. The E2-C lettering is not the right style.

But if you compare it to the variations that have gone before, it is one of the more accurate. Like most warbirds, its paint job does not compare favorably with hundreds of competently-built plastic models representing the same subject, but it seems to be a step forward in gradually approaching an accurate scheme as far as real restored P-51s are concerned.

August

Neal, not to de-rail the thread but it looks like he has the first "notch" of flap in. Did you pan with him and get any following shots? Seems odd to bend the sticks with flaps down

Good eye, Steve!

That was the only shot of the airplane that I had processed, and I had not noticed the flap position. Just goes to show the difference between a photographer and a mechanic, I reckon...

Here is another shot from that lap, and another from a different day, without flaps.

How easy would it be to accidently put in a bit of flap accidently in a Mustang?

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Neal Nurmi

---Wingman Photo---

Well I'll be I was right The flap lever is lower left, right about where your left butt cheek sits on the seat(but every body's butt is different ), kinda have to reach for it really. It also has a hard notch for each setting. If I remember correctly it does take a small bit of force to bring it down. He could have bumped it Of note too, the first "notch" of flap is a maneuver setting and can be put in at any speed. Over to the experts

BTW, dam good shots