Curtiss P-40 band

[Pilot]

Greetings all,

this is the plane used in CapeGloucester and it look like that it have one darker band in front of the white tail. This band is similar in color to the greay scale of the national insignia and this is the reason that I use blue.... bevare of this detail. Other plane from unit does not have any band but I have seen just few of them.

Any idea?

[Franek Grabowski]

Coloured bands were in use eg. in 23rd FG in China. This was a WWI custom to distinguish leaders of sections and to make easier formation flying, as well as air to air recognition in the latter aspect. Presumably this was section or flight or even squadron leader's aircraft, hence the stripe. Unless it is just a coincidence, some dirt or remains of mask after spraypainting of the tail.

[Pilot]

Band is very precise and it is common practice to denote leader. To me letter L is to high for leader.

[Franek Grabowski]

Well, it is obvious, L for Leader. Anyway, pilots, and especially leaders often had a choice of their favourite letters or numbers.

[Pilot]

It is true about options to choose individual details. All right- thank you

[terry mac]

Hi ,
The White Tail was a Theatre Marking for P40 Allied Fighters in the New Guinea Area at the time .
The letter "L" is the individual A/C letter in the unit which in this case was the 35 FS , 8th FG.
The unit used 45 P40N-5 , there being 3 A/C coded L at various times , these being 42-105288, 42-105291 flown by Don Thomas , and 42-105294 flown by James Owen

As for "Band " No evidence that the 35FS used such markings in the photo's I have possbly just where the masking tape as Franek has said being removed

Cheers
Terry McGrady

[Pilot]

Info about this particular airplane is very good. In the meantime was founded larger image which confirm that band is there [as well on another plane]. It is possible blue color but no proof for this.

Cheers

[terry mac]

Just looked at 20 Photos . One is of a P40N newly delivered to the 35th No Letter yet allocated to A/C , but there appear to be a band just forward of the newly panted white tail and under the wings where the leading edges had been painted white , This is where the masking tape was removed. Nothing more or less than that . A similar Error was made with Fiskens A/C - RNZAF ,. For Years profiles had White ID markings edged in red when in fact it was where the masking tape had been . I don't trust colour profiles unless there is a decent photo to back it up . .
One of the A./C coded L has a band as you say , but it is not a coloured band , it indicates nothing other than where the masking tape had been .
Cheers
Terry

[Pilot]

So why is the same tone over the Olive Drab as well Neutral Grey?

[terry mac]

Probably because the removal of the tape has taken a layer of paint off down to the primer coat .
Cheers
Terry McGrady