Warbird Information Exchange

Cross-posted from the WIX Facebook page:

Looking for opinions: As many of you know, I've starting documenting the history of Jack Kosko's restoration hangar. With their first restoration of MAAM's TBM "White 4", a stencil of the restoration crew was painted on the plane. Some years later, MAAM painted the stencil over "to be more historically accurate". To me, the story of how this plane got to be what it is today is as important as the history it represents. Agree? Disagree?

"White 4" shortly after its restoration was completed in 2003:
04-05-2016 10;44;35PM by David Cohen, on Flickr

Restoration stencil as it appeared in 2003. Sadly, about half the people on this stencil have since passed away:
TBM Stencil 09 03 by David Cohen, on Flickr

The plane as it appeared in 2010 with the stencil painted over. Note that MAAM did keep the "Old Tanker 9 - Piece of Cake" marking on the plane as a tribute to the plane's time as Tanker 9.
Piece of Cake 2010 by David Cohen, on Flickr

Personally, I think there was something more than "historical accuracy" in play, but I will give MAAM the benefit of the doubt. Feel free to PM me if you're curious about my personal opinion, as I'd rather keep that conversation offline for now. Yes, I did reach out to them to express my opinion in the context of historical accuracy and asked them to restore the stencil, but they never responded. That is why I am bringing it up on WIX.

If it were mine, I would have ghosted the names panel...it could be seen and read up close, but more than 15-20 feet away and it would not be visible. It would honor Jack's crew, but wouldn't distract from the historical scheme.

I would be in favor of a separate display sign with the names of the restorers, but I don't really understand why someone would strive so diligently for historical accuracy and then deviate so markedly when it was finished. I do not appreciate the prominent "tramp stamp" on CAF aircraft and the Collings Foundation flying billboards also detract in my mind. When I finished my restorations, the pride in knowing that they were as accurate as I could make them was enough.
Tom Bowers

much respect for all opinions on this topic. I can see it both ways. I think I understand what the Original poster was getting at. The quality of the restoration will always speak for itself. Those who know it was Jack's group who restored it will know and the most important thing is that it flys today as a memorial to the men who flew and maintained it during the war.
Tom Bowers

Thanks, Tom and Triangle P for taking the time to respond.

There may be a third way: I have been having discussions about putting together a book documenting the men (and a couple of women) and the restorations in a very heavily illustrated book. While it's not a book deal, one potential publisher has told me that when I finish the project, they would definitely be interested in seeing it. So, even if the plane doesn't have a record on its skin, there hopefully will be a written record of the restoration in the public domain.

That is a fantastic idea. I avidly read and enjoyed your photo essays posted on WIX about Jack's crew and the beautiful work they do. I love the aspect of these guys being retired from work but not from life and putting their undeniable craftsmanship to good use. I recommend you start with an article maybe for one of the major warbird magazines, that might get a publisher interested. If you write it I'd be glad to read it.
Tom Bowers

Russ Strine from MAAM did reach out to me personally and explained things from his viewpoint. I very sincerely appreciate his taking the time to do so and equally appreciate his candor.

In a nutshell: The paint for the stencil wore off each time the plane was cleaned. There's various and sundry reasons it hasn't been replaced or redone on another part of the plane, but that door is still open.