Light Blue #23 on PT-17 Stearman

[stevehnz]

4 hours ago, Work In Progress said:

What year was that photograph taken? That rudder fabric would originally be Grade A Cotton and there is no way it remained serviceable more than a decade, so if that photo was taken in say 1955 or later then it's not the original fabric

Being as we're looking at two aircraft in similar markings which afaik were , other than restored aircraft, operated thus only during WW2, I'd be surprised if this photo is anything like as late as 1955. I stand to be corrected though. The photo does have a "operational" look about it to me.

Some more photos including the one shown above in this link, very close to the bottom of the page. They would seem to confirm WW2 period.

Steve.

Edited May 15, 2019 by stevehnz

[Work In Progress]

Yep, that's convincing enough. So much access to colour photography then on that side of the Atlantic! 

The big group shot of the Cornells, they mostly have that greyish more washed out blue tone to the fuselages, which I wouldn't have expected.  Those look more you might expect from aeroplanes which have been outdoors for several years longer, which I think made me feel uncertain about the date.

 

And don't those Hawk 75s look enticing for a training flight on a crisp winter morning?

[stevehnz]

41 minutes ago, Work In Progress said:

So much access to colour photography then on that side of the Atlantic!

Wouldn't it have been nice if there'd been as much in the UK/Europe, we're lucky to have what there is but heck, I wouldn't have minded more.

Steve.