DOD Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 Hi All This is one on my current PR projects and recently came across a photo I had not seen before. Unfortunately it is very small/poor quality. I have photos that show the nose very clearly but this is the only one that takes in the whole aircraft. It looks like it was taken about the same time. This is one of what I have. I have searched everywhere!. It looks like a Robert Astrella but no joy in the IWM/American Air Museum in Britain. Can anyone point me in the direction as to where I might find a bigger/better quality photo? Any help would be appreciated. cheers David 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt-92 Posted January 10, 2022 Share Posted January 10, 2022 It is on the AAM site if I recall. http://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/18517 http://www.americanairmuseum.com/media/2337 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DOD Posted January 11, 2022 Author Share Posted January 11, 2022 11 hours ago, alt-92 said: It is on the AAM site if I recall. http://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/18517 http://www.americanairmuseum.com/media/2337 Hi, thanks for reply but I have these and they show only the nose. I am trying to find a bigger version of the small photo that shows the whole aircraft. Cheers David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix44 Posted January 11, 2022 Share Posted January 11, 2022 Similar question from 2008 on a different site said that a very good version is in "War Eagles in Original Color" by Ethell Bodie. Unfortunately the posted version has disappeared on that thread. Interesting to see a better copy - note the difference in the wheel hub cour between the two versions. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbob Posted January 11, 2022 Share Posted January 11, 2022 Ah, I've got that book- give me a bit... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbob Posted January 11, 2022 Share Posted January 11, 2022 I was thinking of a different book, but I'm still looking. Meanwhile, there's this slightly different- and much clearer- view of the nose: https://www.asisbiz.com/il2/Spitfire/USAAF-7PG/pages/F5-Lighting-USAAF-43-28333-7PG13PS-Lanakila-at-Mount-Farm-IWM-FRE5396.html 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DOD Posted January 11, 2022 Author Share Posted January 11, 2022 5 hours ago, Phoenix44 said: Similar question from 2008 on a different site said that a very good version is in "War Eagles in Original Color" by Ethell Bodie. Unfortunately the posted version has disappeared on that thread. Interesting to see a better copy - note the difference in the wheel hub cour between the two versions. Hi, Thanks for reply. I believe it is from that site I discovered the small picture. I have a copy of the War Eagles book and it does have a huge detailed photo but, again, just of the nose area, unfortunately. I was trying to see what the boom area was like. Cheers David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt-92 Posted January 11, 2022 Share Posted January 11, 2022 4 hours ago, gingerbob said: Meanwhile, there's this slightly different- and much clearer- view of the nose: That's the same image as the large size downloadable one from IWM : http://www.americanairmuseum.com/media/2337 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alt-92 Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 There are several other F5-E shots in the collection that do show the rest better, just not Lanakila. Unfortunately, the AAM website is now down for maintenance but the following resource IDs may help FRE_005360 7PRG_MtFarm_F5E - downsized pic from my personal storage: AnF-5Lightningofthe13thPhotographicReconnaissanceSquadron7thPhotographicReconnaissanceGrouptaxyingatMountFarmImagebyRobertAstrella7thPhoto Again: downsized pic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbob Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 Note that some of these may be Haze, rather than PRU Blue, which could help explain the patchy look. @Dana Bell might have something to say about that? (Hi Dana) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix44 Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 1 hour ago, gingerbob said: Note that some of these may be Haze, rather than PRU Blue, which could help explain the patchy look. @Dana Bell might have something to say about that? (Hi Dana) So they go to all that trouble of developing an "invisible" paint and then the squadrons paint their spinners bright orange/red! Who'd be a boffin. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbob Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 Well, in this case perhaps the initial desire for "security" has been taken over by a brash confidence (cockiness). Note the partial invasion stripes. (I'm also not at all sure about the Haze paint, the possibility just crossed my mind.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix44 Posted January 13, 2022 Share Posted January 13, 2022 Hope this doesn't count as hijacking the thread, but why did US squadrons paint the exhaust area red like that? Seen it on Spitfires too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gingerbob Posted January 13, 2022 Share Posted January 13, 2022 Unit identification. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now