More seriously...
Rajay wrote:
If on the other hand, you simply want to make the point that maybe other WWII P-40 units have been under-represented in Warbird circles for too many years, that would be perfectly valid and I would also agree. I believe that point, however, can be made without denigrating the AVG.
Interesting point, some subtle factors. The AVG are far
over-represented in preserved P-40 schemes, IMHO. There are two reasons for this, one is the period publicity at the time, spotlighting them for reasons of propaganda/PR and morale, understandable given the state of the war for the US at the time, but over-emphasising their importance within the history of W.W.II.
The second reason is that they were the most prominent 'American' P-40 unit, despite good work done by other US P-40 units in the Pacific and North Africa. Again, the work of the 49th FG and the North African units doesn't deserve to be cast into permanent shadow by the AVG, as they effectively are.
Are the AVG 'over'-represented? Given the number of units, schemes, theatres and actions, and the number of P-40s in the one unit's colours, particularly aircraft that are entirely the wrong version for the scheme they wear, and the number of P-40s with interesting histories of their own masquerading as AVG aircraft, I feel it's a reasonable case. However for those who like their history in headline-only form, nothing but the AVG does.
As to the Eagle Squadrons and the AVG, while I'm no fan of Churchill, he was not a despot, attaining power through an internal war but a democratically elected leader trying to prevent 'a new dark age'. Here was a major difference between signing up to fight for the support of the last democracy in Europe and a successful warlord in China, however much Chiang Kai-shek may have been the best bet in a bad mess.
But I'd agree with the Ober that (some) fighter pilots can be less than discriminating as to who they sign up to fight with. The reverence paid here by many to those who put themselves in harms way
can extend too widely. There are
some who are keen just to fight, or to fly, and aren't to picky as to who and why - and this can include some of the best aces - Screwball Bearling being an example of a fighter beyond sense. (For the sensitive to any 'attack' on the greatest generation, this is just an acknowledgement that not every pilot's motives were as pure as some might wish to believe, however much the majority were doing a nasty job bravely and as well as they could.)
It is great that the the P-40 is being restored in numbers that show its importance in the history of W.W.II, rather than being such an 'also ran' in preserved warbird numbers, which is why, I suggest, that the over-representation of AVG schemes on P-40s is a redoubled pity; not only are they
not going to be forgotten, the reverence paid to them is obscuring many other, no less worthy, units and operators. I was very disappointed to hear of another early P-40 under restoration that rather than painting in it's own, interesting historic scheme was going to be
another draped with the AVG colours. (And a special prize to the Flying Heritage Collection with a long-term 'temporary' AVG schemed P-40.) It is a pity that so many owners want the same old thing. Thanks to those (like the Paul family, the recent prizewinner in N African colours at Oshkosh) who've rung the changes.
Just a few thoughts, YMMV.
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That would be a crime! 
