In the night photograph, the lighting is augmented by at least 2 extra light sources.
One almost directly in front of the aircraft illuminating the ground crew members and the other illuminating the two pilots.
You can clearly see in the photo the pools of light on the ground eminating from the light sources.
As regards the bottom section of the cowling appearing paler. Is anyone familiar with the old trick of viewing a potential second hand car purchase under sodium street lighting?
Any panels painted that have been touched up or repainted are imediately obvious under street lighting conditions.
Also,the areas in the photograph with more direct light will appear brighter and the unlit areas darker in comparrison.
My name on the site ,Lampie, comes from my profession as a lighting designer/technician of over 25 years standing just incase anyone was wondering.
Lets look back to the original point raised.
Quote...Was Gabby really downed in this a/c or is the serial number off?
Answer..yes he was,,and no it isnt. ( backed up by photographs)
Quote...
Clearly the same a/c with the upper invasion stripes painted over, painted canopy frame,and painted over kills..
Answers
HV-A did have its upper surface invasion stripes painted over as Mr Cook himself shows in the second photo of post # 3
The canopy frame is not painted over in the night photo, as again, Mr Cook shows in a later post.
(Answered two out of three all on your own Jack
)
The stickers which the kill markings were printed on react differently to the light resulting, in my humble opinion, in a blurred reflection in the scoreboard area.
The photo is a staged "propoganda" photo using Gabbys aircraft.