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Fred Corley
11/22/2005 9:26:30 PM | Just a point of curiosity, but can anyone tell me if the planes that the 401st flew to England were painted in olive drab and when the USAAF decided to leave their aircraft unpainted?
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Ed Login
11/25/2005 5:58:14 PM | Hi FRED
When we first began flight operations in England,all B17's were painted olive drab. Later on (around four months) the replacement planes were not painted,thus saveing 500 lbs approx. Plus olive drab was't needed.
Ed Login 612th
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Fred Corley
11/26/2005 10:14:38 AM | Thank you very much Ed. I had done some research, but never found a precise answer. Again,Thanks.
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Bob Rapp
1/24/2006 1:30:29 PM | My dad was an MP at Deenethorpe, and his love of the B-17 and its accomplishments instilled in me a love of all airplanes, but especially the Flying Fortress.
About the 401st aircraft colors: according to Freeman's "The Mighty Eighth," the paint scheme on the 401st airplanes were as thus:
B-17G in olive and grey factory finish. B-17G in natural metal from March 1944. Squadron codes: 612th: SC; 613th: IN; 614th: IW; 615th: IY. Group markings: S in triangle. From August 1944 yellow diagonal band painted on vertical tail, outlined black on metal finish aircraft. On camouflaged aircraft, serial and aircraft call letter usually repained in black on yellow band.
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