CAF and Collings Foundations to reapint their planes?

[wixlova]

Like to see this done someday... it would need a few new B24 to be made to make it a good sight in the sky... very coloful


http://www.network54.com/Forum/47751/me ... of+the+2AD

[Mudge]

WHOA...Those are a bit grotesque.
Don't hold your breath for one of those paint schemes to appear at an air show.

Mudge the artiste

[retroaviation]

Actually, there was a brief (and I mean brief) discussion of me painting up our B-24 in one of those lead ship colors when we were first discussing a "make over" for it a couple years ago. What's funny is that that kind of talk is what helped convince the powers that be to decide that the original paint scheme, that we ultimately chose, was certainly a better idea.

Gary

[Forgotten Field]

I completely understand the logic for not painting an aircraft like that. But what a lost chance to tell some of the stories of forming up for the bombing missions to Europe.

[Warbird Kid]

My question is that why cant there be temp paint jobs? Using wax or soap paint. Not sure what has been used, but it would be cool to see a crazy scheme like that for a season.

[Ryan Keough]

At any rate, being stuck in one scheme seems to hog the limelight for just a few of the Groups that flew in the war! Get out of the rut, gentleman!
End of Rant.

I think, all things considered, CF has done a pretty good job of trying to represent multiple units with the B-24... far more than most warbirds big and small. Starting out life as the B-24 "All American" from the 15th AF, then moving to the 5th AF "Dragon and his Tail" and now the 8th AF "Witchcraft" - I think it should be commended that they have attempted to honor as many as they can considering the cost of a full repaint.

The B-17 is a bit more of a different story as many supporters and sponsors are tied to the "Nine o Nine" brand... and with the amount of other B-17s out there in different colors, there was never a demand to change it.

Little known fact, when the CF B-24 came out of restoration, it flew with several different tail schemes for the first few years... repainted with a different B-24 group insignia based on the number of direct donations they got from that group in the year prior. It's tough to do that now with so few veterans donating directly and most BG / BS groups having membership issues.

As for the Co-op idea, that's been around for many years in the B-17 community as the B-17 Co-Op. It's pretty informal, but the group buying power has helped get new tires made, new nose glass, new brake pucks, new bomb racks, etc over the years. Without it, there may not be as many B-17s actively flying today.

[retroaviation]

...Get out of the rut, gentleman!

Um, just in case you missed it, the CAF did get out of the rut just recently. Here's a link to the whole story... http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/p ... php?t=9395

Heck, it even still has that "new bomber smell," so it may be a little while before another paint job is chosen. And as Ryan said, the Collings Foundation has done a good job of changing their scheme around every five or ten years or so.

The temporary paint idea may sound simple and cheap, but it's neither.

Just my $.02 worth.

Gary

[CH2Tdriver]

Kudos to the operators of B-17's Sentimental Journey, Fuddy Duddy, Chuckie and Yankee Lady for maintaining them in Natural Metal Finish!! When I see Yanke Lady fly and compare it to that wartime color photo of 17's from the same unit....it is the real deal to me. I'm sorry Aluminum Overcast and Liberty Belle but the glossy silver paint just doesn't do it for me. I fully understand the reasons for upkeep and maintenance and cost, but what about a OD and gray scheme then?

When I win lotto my 17 will be painted up as 'Little Mischief', half OD/gray and half NM!

[Roger Cain]

Photo refreshers

At AirSho '07


A week ago over Dos Palos, CA

[richkolasa]

Little known fact, when the CF B-24 came out of restoration, it flew with several different tail schemes for the first few years... repainted with a different B-24 group insignia based on the number of direct donations they got from that group in the year prior.

I actually believed (and still do to a point) that it was a conspiracy to render my photographs obsolete as soon as possible!

How you doing, Ryan? Hope you're well.

Rich

[TimAPNY]

Little known fact, when the CF B-24 came out of restoration, it flew with several different tail schemes for the first few years... repainted with a different B-24 group insignia based on the number of direct donations they got from that group in the year prior.

I actually believed (and still do to a point) that it was a conspiracy to render my photographs obsolete as soon as possible!

How you doing, Ryan? Hope you're well.

Rich

No, you are looking at this all wrong! It is to justify to the wife why you need 2,000 more photos of the "same" aircraft.

Tim

[Ken]

I was going through my files and here's the Collings B-24 when I saw her unexpectedly at KLEX in August, 2001.

[Django]

I LOVE the Dragon and it's Tail. I miss that livery... alot.

[Warbird Kid]

Yeah! Why was the 5th Airforce scheme only on the plane for a few years?

[Django]

If I had to guess... PC reasons?

I got to see it at least, but it was at the start of my renewed interest in Warbirds in 2000, so I didn't fully appreciate it like I would today.

I have the 1:48 diecast sitting at my desk here at the office.

BTW, has anyone seen any pics of the port side? Did it have the same art as the model depicts? Seem like every pic I have seen is from the starboard side.