Curtiss P-40 band

[Graham Boak]

What was misleading people in the Fisken photos was not that the band was darker than the base colour of the aircraft, but that the overspray of white had affected the base colour beyond the tape, so there was an immediate contrast followed by a gentle fading back - this misled the eye into seeing a dark band where none existed. The same effect could be happening on the Neutral Grey. I think this is likelier than the tape having stripped paint - the primer (zinc chromate based) being lighter than the topcoat anyway.

However, not having seen the photo....

[JACK COOK]

The band is simply the marked off area with overspray slowly fading thus creating that effect of looking like a dark strip. I've got shots of 325th FG a/c being checked with a paintgun and a 2 x 4. Yes, a little overspray!

Capt Jack Bade 44th FS 13th AF after receiving the DFC and AM. Note the stripes of this P-40F-5 #111 which was, BTW, NOT his a/c.

[aaatripp]

Greetings.....or, Ni hao!

I realize the discussion has moved along on this question, but just wanted to add a footnote to Franek's post of 11 Sept. Yes, the P-40s of Col. Robert L. Scott's 23FG (CATF in the CBI Theater of Operations) displayed the stripes----these are a legacy from their predecessor group: The AVG (Claire L. Chennault's Flying Tigers).

1st Pursuit Sqdn - Adam & Eves - white stripe - #1-33
2nd Pursuit Sqdn - Panda Bears - blue stripe - #34-67
3rd Pursuit Sqdn - Hell's Angels - red stripe - #68-99

(These were P-40Cs. Later they acquired at least 33 P-40E models, #101-134. Note that P-8157 was dropped into the harbor and was used for spare parts; this was the 100th P-40C).

Back to the white tails.......

Tripp

[Pilot]

Ni Hao- you are from China?

So- different opinions here. problem is that strip is dar in the area of Olive Drab as well over the Neutral Grey.

Thank you all

[macfire]

Thanks Jack.
That photo has removed all doubt from my mind as to the origin of the 'stripes'
Cheers
Tony

[Buz]

Further to this topic a bit further info on Aircraft D "TONI II" and Aircraft W of the same unit. Both aircraft are discribed as the following.

Aircraft D - The entire tail section and leading edges of the wings are painted "White". The lower side cowling of the nose section bore a large letter "D" "yellow" in colour. Also the word "Toni" and roman numerals "II". This was painted in "Yellow" and outlined in "blue". The nose spinner was also painted in bright "yellow".

Aircraft W - The entire tail section and the leading edges of the wing were painted white. The lower side cowling of the nose section bore a large letter "W", yellow in colour. The nose spinner was also painted Bright Yellow.

No mention of bands of blue on the rear fuselage.

Of particular interest is aircraft D, as it is shown in photos to have the so called blue band on it, where as the reports make no mention of the blue band.

Buz

[Pilot]

Thanks Buz Hope that your post complete this subject