flypaper

I have come across 2 pics of the same a/c from the one of the 17th Grps Sqd. you can make out a partial of the belly number in this case the #5 in white. I'd post but to be honest not sure how to on this forum.

Dana I will happily wait for your Olive Drab works. As for "FLIGHT PLAN" I still have several issues in my collection and pull them down along with some early "Random Thoughts" and relive those early days. I am still amazed at some of the work from the Nor-east Con's.

I would't draw any hard conclusions because of the color cast present in the movie. Perhaps some work removing it and other adjustments would be helpful. Mr Bell since your here can you up date us on your work on the history of US olive drab? I read on another forum that you had a book in the works, and being curious can you comment on the olive drab in this movie and what your thoughts might be on a modeling paint match. Been following your work since Troy NY 1970's.

The drawings in the AAHS journal show the white belly numbers on all 3 Squadrons. Trying to draw color information from B&W photos from this time period is an iffy thing at best. Different films altered the end results and not knowing which film was used only makes it even more iffy.

my mistake, your correct the 73rd was the brown/tan bear.....and the illustration shows for the 95th olive drab with medium blue yellow medium blue markings..... again i'm sorry for the brain belch on the mix up. as an aside the 34th used black with white trim flight leader stripes....a/c#1 had 3 stripes, a/c#2 had 2,and a/c#3 had one. The AAHS journal reads that the a/c would be repainted as they came in for maintenance. In the P-26 "Aero Series" book the author talks about walking through a hanger of the 17th and seeing both OD and Blue a/c "a sight I will never forget".

my mistake, your correct the 73rd was the brown/tan bear.....and the illustration shows for the 95th olive drab with medium blue yellow medium blue markings..... again i'm sorry for the brain belch on the mix up. as an aside the 34th used black with white trim flight leader stripes....a/c#1 had 3 stripes, a/c#2 had 2,and a/c#3 had one.

According to my issue of "American Aviation Historical Society Journal" Vol.22 No.3 Fall 1977...... the 95th Squadron at some point reversed the blue and yellow striping and scalloping possibly to avoid blue stripes against the later blue fuselage color......and 95th insignia was a brown and tan bear on a yellow disc. Red border. The back inside cover has 4 excellent side views of the 17th Attack Group. 95th,73rd,34th and the Headquarters Squadron which is very different than the rest. All the pertinent color information for the 4 is covered in detail. PS.....all 4 aircraft were finished in Olive Drab with yellow wings.

I dont think its in its original German finish if you look at it all the wing insignia were left intact but the rudder insignia was painted over in the same shade as the rest of the A/C. Plus if your going to repaint the A/C and put your Sqd. insignia on it (9th Bombardment) why wouldn't you finish it off with a US color ribbon. D.VII A/C flew in the us for many years after the war in their original markings with all the German insignia intact.

Air Enthusiast #6 1978 has really nice article on the Condor which includes 13 color side views.

big mistake on the insignia in the decal sheet....the 9ths markings were black and and 2 shades of gray. Black outer circle light gray next, black land mass dark gray sky and light gart searchlight beams. From Volume one of Archers "UASAS & AC aircraft Color Guide", and Thayers "America's First Eagles", and USAF Printing House "Combat Squadrons of the Air Force". I also don't agree with the stripe the colors make more sense being Blue White Red the same order as the US rudder markings. What the overall color is I would have to guess a very hastily applied thin coat of white other pictures of this a/c show it in a more pristine finish BUT there is a distinct difference in shade between the stripe white and the overall color. Also the Green of the other US D.VII is way off base i anything it would be a brownish green along the lines of PC 10

Hello rustywelder, Engines and Things used to make a full resin HS 8, don't know if they are still in business though. Flypaper