HISTORICAL ADVISOR

Please email Monroe your questions by clicking on "Contact US".
Please label your email "Monroe: Question".

Some questions and answers will be posted in this section.

 
 
Page 3: Questions 49-72, click on links or browse page.
Q49 Info about a P-47 found on this site ? Q61 SBD folding wings ?
Q50 Information on the "Boston Bull" ? Q62 kittyhawk mk1 112 squadron information ?
Q51 "Texas Longhorns" P-40 info ? Q63 P-51's vs P-47's ?
Q52 P-40 "Stud" info ? Q64 P-51 "Buckeye Bogie" correct colors ?
Q53 Navagation lights location and color ? Q65 Nose art picture of P-47 "Pioneer Peggy" ?
Q54 More navigation light info ? Q66 Were markings perfect ?
Q55 P-51 "Dove of Peace" pictures ? Q67 Martin B-10 bomber info ?
Q56 Kill markings ? Q68 Pilot Glen E Duncan info ?
Q57 P-51 stencils location ? Q69 New Guinea P-39 info ?
Q58 Color for Pt-17 primary trainer ? Q70 P-51 radios and antenna locations ?
Q59 How many paratroopers in a C-47 ? Q71 P-40 E vs P-40 D ?
Q60 WWII pilot procedures ? Q72 Col J.D. Landers P-38 pilot ?
 

Question 49: "Dear sir, I was going thru the p-47 pics, and one has really cuaght my eye. It says Tom lazar and the color is green, with checker board on the cowl and a red rudder. Invaision strips on the belly.MXE are the markings. Do you know what squad this is, and where i can find info on it? Thanks Grant"

Monroe: "Thanks Grant for your question. It appears the pic you have is a picture of Tom Lazar's R/C model P-47D pictured in rcwarbirds.com. See link below"
http://www.rcwarbirds.com/p47page.htm
Scroll down the page and you will see this picture:
http://www.rcwarbirds.com/tomsp47page.htm
Tom made the model from P-47D, MX-E, in the 82nd Squad of the 78thFtr.Group, Duxford, England. See link below:
http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/78thfg-gallery.jsp
Scroll down the page and you will find this picture:
http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/gallery-pu.jsp?index=9&Group=78
This last link you may find very interesting...I did.
Thanks again Grant....hope it helps..>>>Monroe"
http://www.78thfightergroup.com/history/rahewitt.html

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Question 50: "Dear Mr. Williams, I recently came across your page on RCWarbirds as I was searching for information on William Maguire - the "Boston Bull" - who was my wife's great-uncle. Other then knowing that Bill flew for the Army Air Corps in
Europe, and was killed in March of 1945, we don't have any other information on what he did during the war. We have a picture of him standing in front of what I think is a P-47, so I was surprised to see him on your RCWarbirds page in front of a P-51! I am also fascinated to read the recollections of your missions. I'd like to put together a history of Bill's service - do you know where I can go online to find more information on Bill? My sons and I are going to build both a P-47 and a P-51, marked up as Bill's aircraft -
how could we get details on the colors and markings? I greatly appreciate any information you can give me - and thank you, to you and your family, for your service to our country. Thanks Michael"

Monroe: "Thanks Michael for your question. I remember Capt. Maguire very well and flew with him several times, but I don't think I can give you all the information you need for your research. The name of his P-47s were "Boston Bull" and the name of his P-51s were "Lil" Boston Bull". As you may know, Bill was a very small fellow. The name of his plane describes him very well...he was a real "Lil' Boston Bull dog", cocky, but a Damn good pilot. He went over with the 353rd Fighter Group and served two tours, about 18 months combat. He was one of the Squadron Aces with eight EA to his credit. I cannot find a full view of his Aircraft but I will leave you a couple links that may help you in your research. Scroll down the first link and you will find the various planes he flew....tail numbers, plane names, and A/C markings..I believe all of his had YJ-M.
http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/353rdfg.jsp?offset=200
Scroll down the next link and you will find pictures of the 353rd planes. You may use these to go by in making your models, but use Bill's tail numbers and markings.
http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/353rdfg-gallery.jsp
Next is a link to Graham Cross' Website. Click on 353rd and you will see the 353rd History....scroll down and you will see Bill listed as an Ace. Click on 351st and scroll down you will see a picture of Bill and three other pilots that went over with the original 353rd Group. Now, click on "Book"..... this is a book written by Graham Cross of the history of the 353rd Fighter Group. Graham lives at Raydon, England, where we were stationed....he spent several years gathering information and writing the history of our group. The book is very large and heavy....and I must say expensive( $100+), but it has a number of references to Bill and his combat activities. I don't know if it is still available but if you are going to research deeply into Bill's ww2 activities and that of the 353rd Group, it may be worth it to check on the availability. I have Graham's E-mail address if you need it. Michael, I don't know if this will help you but hope it will get you started. Thanks.>>>Monroe
http://www.netherhall47.freeserve.co.uk/ "

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Question 51: "I'm building the zirolli p-40, and being from Texas I would love to model after a p-40 that I saw a painting of. The nose art on the left side just beneath the stacks has the words" Texas Longhorns" with a cartoon bull underneath that. The caption on the painting reads "Lt. John D. Landers 9th. Fs. 49th. Fg." . The only info I can find about that squadron is on the Flying Knights, which doesn't mention him flying a P-40E. It mention Big Beatiful Doll. Any information on the "Texas Longhorns" P-40E would greatly appreciated. Thanx for your time sir. Joseph "

Monroe: "Hello Joe, thanks for your question......you have a tough one here. I think you found the only picture of John Landers' P-40E, "Texas Longhorns", that is on the net. I assume this is the picture you found:
http://www.aikensairplanes.com/franklinmint48/armour98223.htm
or this: http://www.goodrichtoysoldiers.com/98223_p-40_Warhawk.jpg
I found several pictures of him in the 9th Squadron photo history. Here are three where he is taken with the P-40 in the background of two of them. But none of his plane:
http://www.flyingknights.net/tfk9fs/tfkpg12.htm
http://www.flyingknights.net/tfk9fs/tfkpg13.htm
http://www.flyingknights.net/tfk9fs/tfkpg19.htm
Here is a link that may interest you.... It indicates there may be better pictures of "Texas Longhorns" in some books. I don't know if you want to go to the expense or not. S.W Ferguson's "Protect and Avenge" indicates there is a photo of P-40E , "Texas Longhorns" . See these links:
http://www.ipmsmetrookc.org/OKAces/pages/ace%20pages/landers.htm
http://www.schifferbooks.com/military/aviationunithistories/0887407501.html
Also, Ernst McDowell's "P-40 in Action" indicates it has a colored profile of the plane.
http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/ssp/ssp1026.htm
This last link will give you a little more information about the 49th Ftr Gp:
http://home.st.net.au/~dunn/49fg.htm
Sorry Joe, I couldn't do better. But, I do thank you for the try..>>>Monroe"

Readers Update: "Col. Monroe, Re: your post for question 51, I am building a TF P-40 and am using Lt. Landers Texas Longhorn as my insignia. I found all the websites you listed, but the most important method I found to obtain the "decals" was to use the 1/32 or 1/48 scale plastic decals sold by Squadron Shops, and had Pro-Mark make some transfers. The decal sheet had 3 different aircraft from the 49th, and there was also a second sheet for additional aircraft. Lewis "

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Question 52: "Hi Monroe, Thanks for your service to our country. I am looking for pictures of LtCol. Robert Baseler's P-40. It was colored black and Red with yellow tail markings for the 325th fighter group. I believe his plane was called "Stud". I want to do a scale version of his plane and would also like as much material to read about Lt Col Baselers p - 40 that I can get my hands on. Any assistance you can be would be greatly appreciated Thanks Tim"

Monroe: "Hello Tim, there is quiet a bit of information about Lt/Col Baseler and the 325th Fighter Group on the net if you go through Yahoo or Google. Here are a few links that you may look at: Hope this helps..>>>Monroe"
http://www.325thfg.org/r6.htm
http://www.amtechmodels.com/product_view.cfm?Item=p40fl
http://features02.kitparade.com/p40lse_1.htm
http://www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/URG/baseler.html
http://www.325thfg.org/
http://www.geocities.com/pentagon/1979/325fg.html

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Question 53: "Dear Lt. Colonel Monroe, regarding Red, Green, Yellow Navigation Lights of a P-51D, I would like to know the color code or use code for the red, green, and yellow lights. Thanking you in advance. Best regards,Nicolás."

Monroe: "Nicolas, thanks for your question. I am not sure what you mean by "color code" of the navigation lights. I think you mean " where does the respective color go". If that is the case, I think these two links will answer it. The two links are alike, but on two different airplanes. If this does not help you, let me know. Thanks..>>>Monroe"
http://www.cebudanderson.com/p51ddetailpage.htm
http://www.cebudanderson.com/357profilefrenesi.htm

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Question 54: "Dear Lt. Colonel Monroe, Thank you for answering my e-mail and for the links you sent. Would you tell me the purpose, or when the red, green, and yellow lights that goes flush with wing panel must be turned on, please explain if each color was turned on independently or all together and if each color has a meaning. Best regards, Nicolás"

Monroe: "Thanks again Nicolas.....good question. I must admit I don't know the answer. I just cannot remember how we used the lights or IF we used them. I don't remember EVER using them for signaling. I did find a post on a website where someone else ask the same question. I will give you a link to the question and a link to the answer that was given. Guess I'm gonna have to get me a couple more sticks of memory for my brain..ha,ha. Oh well, that was almost 60 yrs ago. Good luck..hope it helps.>>Monroe.''
http://www.p47advocates.com/messages/1495.html
http://www.p47advocates.com/messages/1496.html

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Question 55: "Lt. Colonel ,Sir, I am building a G.S. P-51 with the name Dove of Peace from the 353rd Fighter Squadron. I need to find some better pictures of the nose art so I can better identify the pictures fore and aft of the name so I can have them made for my plane, Color would be great but... well.. you know. Thanks for your time Sir, Brian "

Monroe: "Brian, thanks for your question. It seems I have had this problem before of finding a good picture of "Dove Of Peace" nose art that displays those pictures clearly. You may have all of these, but I will leave you some links that may help if you can zoom them in enough. Thanks..>>Monroe."
http://www.web-birds.com/8th/353/353-09.jpg
http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/gallery-pu.jsp?index=39&Group=353
http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/gallery-pu.jsp?index=8&Group=353
http://www.airrace.org/gallery/web/2002/7sept/112c5175.php
http://m2reviews.cnsi.net/scotts/decals/super/ss48707.htm

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Question 56: "Col Williams, I noticed on a picture of my Dad's aircraft, a P-47, he has a swastika and then several crosses below it.. along with bombs and several train locomotives.. I am guessing the locomotives would equate to trains he had busted, woudl the bombs be the number of bombing missions? .. I knowhe had one air to air kill a 109. so I am guessing that is what the swastika means.. but what do the crosses mean ? I originally thought the crosses meant aerial kills but I have noticed on other airplanes they use both.. is there any significance to this? I also know he shared that plane with another pilot if that makes any difference thanks"

Monroe: "Thanks Alan for the question...very good question. I am not sure of this answer, but, as I remember, A pilot had the choice of placing whatever he wanted on the side of his plane. Most of us placed the Pilot's Name, CrewChief Name, and the Armament man's Name on the side. Just below the canopy rail, we placed swastikas for each enemy plane destroyed in the air or on the ground. We did not place any markings for dive bombing missions or trucks or trains destroyed. In my research, I see where some pilots did use Kill crosses instead of swastikas and some did place bomb markings for dive bombing missions. Why your father has a mixture of swastikas and crosses, I don't know. If there are several of them, I would guess he used a cross to mark each combat mission. If you know what group he was in, you might do research through Yahoo and see if other planes in the group followed the same pattern. Usually, pilots in a group placed the same information on their planes.
Thanks again, Alan....sorry I couldn't help you more.>>Monroe"
http://www.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/URG/preddy.html
http://www.fourthfightergroup.com/resource/gentile.html

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Question 57: "Dear Sir, I am about to start the finishing process on my 1/5.5 P51D R/c and am inquiring about the location and script of the small stencils ( e.g." no step" , "fuel vent ", etc. ) I wonder if you might remember detail about these or maybe know of a source to enable me to find them. I have tried quite a few sources, but to no avail at this stage. Your name was mentioned ( glowingly ) by a T. Marlin on a forum in the R/C Universe Website where he said that you had flown P51's and might be a good starting point for this problem. Many thanks, Keith "

Monroe: "Hello Keith, good to hear from Australia. I'm so sorry, I don't remember the details as to where all the small stencils go. It seems I have had a similar question pertaining to stencils for a T-6 Texan. I thought it best to refer the question to one of our pro-builders. I referred it to Joe Huntley and this is the answer he gave in his question # 168:
What I worked off of is a set of decals from a plastic Model. When people are looking for stencil sets I tell them the best way is to go online and find a set of decals for plastic models and order a set. they are dirt cheap and give you locations as to where they go etc. One place is North American Hobbies http://www.nahobbies.com/html/Decals.html they cover most of the main decal makers out there, Aeromaster being one of the best. I hope this helps Joe"
I will send a copy of this to Joe , in case he has some other ideas.
Personally, I think I would try E-mailing North American Hobbies at nahobbies@aol.com and ask for information. If you were in the US, I would call them at 815-434-7279. " Superscale Decals" appears maybe to have the decals and stencils. Thanks again, Keith..Hope it helps.>>Monroe "

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Question 58: "Mr. Monroe, What was the most common color scheme for the PT17 in the army air-core 1941-1942. Thanks, Sterling."

Monroe: "Sterling thanks for your question. I am not too familiar with the PT-17.....I flew the PT-19 during my primary training in 1943. In doing a little research, I think I found the answer to your question. See this statement in the following link:
"Army Stearmans were initially delivered in the blue-yellow scheme. Production after spring 1942 was an all silver finish".
http://www.thirdcoasthobbies.com/stearman_pt-17.htm

Please see the all silver finish in this next link:
http://www.aero-web.org/specs/stearman/pt-17.htm

If you wish to see a small portion of a PT-19 that I had my first flight in, I will leave you an attachment with me standing beside it.
Thanks again Sterling, and good luck.>>Monroe"

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Question 59: "I wanted to know how many paratroopers a C-47 normally carried for operations such the D-Day invasion or Operation Market Garden? Regards, Michael"

Monroe: "Thanks Michael for your question. The old "Gooney Bird" was a real work horse. Please note this statement in the following link:
"but the vast majority were fitted with metal bench seats for 28 fully armed troops."
http://www.britannica.com/normandy/articles/C-47.html

I think, at times, they may have loaded more than that, but that is what it was designed to carry.
I hope this helps..>>>Monroe"

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Question 60: "Hello Sir, I'm trying to find out about the workings of ww2 USA pilots in the pacific or Atlantic also during the war. Specifically: I'm trying to find out how they could tell one friendly plane in their own group from another friendly in the same type planes. As they linked up into groups of say 4 or more, how do they know this was the right group, their flights section? I’m not talking about planes and shapes but more how the US pilots would ID the CO or flight leader or section leaders in combat. I know that during the war that many times they had large numbers painted on their planes, but yet they did not always fly the same plane as repairs, maintenance, replacements and other things made this almost impossible. So how did they ID their leader's plane or anyone for that fact?? Where planes assigned to pilots (I know fighters are now – but back then)? How did you know who was in plane 34 for example? Did pilot Smith for example always fly plane 34 unless down for repairs? Here is where I really get screwed up on – say planes are assigned to pilots (still ww2), did the flight crew always park the CO’s plane out front first on the desk so he took off first? Did they bring planes on to the carrier desk for launch in order of who flew what and where? Thanks very much for your time!!! Steve. California"

Monroe: "Thanks Steve, good question but you are making this sound more complicated than it really was.
Before every mission, we have a briefing. In the briefing, there will be a chart showing who is on the mission, the plane ID they are flying, and what position they are flying in the flight. So, you know whose wing you are flying. We all had our own "hardstand" where our planes are parked. The Squadron leader (white flight) taxi out first and his flight(three wingmen) follow in order. ( Red flight) leader taxi out second and his flight follow in order. Then Blue flight , then yellow flight.
Each of the three Squadrons had their own section of the field they flew from and took off on separate runways. The Squadron that is designated lead squadron takes off first and circles the field allowing the other two squadrons to catch up and fall into position.
The group would climb out in close formation until they get to the combat area. Then the squadrons would break off into their assigned mission and open up into combat formation. If it is an escort mission, the squadron will generally stay together unless they encounter enemy aircraft...if so, flights will break off to encounter the EA. But flights try to stay together if possible. If flights get separated, in the heat of battle, at least the wing men try to stay with their leader. If you get completely lost from your squadron, you try to form up with any of the planes from your group....you will know them by the black and yellow checkered cowling. Each group has their own cowling colors.
Generally, the group leader will announce on the comm that he is heading home. Usually, your flight is still in the same area and have no trouble getting back together. But, if you can't find your flight leader, you tag on to whoever you can to return home....if you can find someone.
Steve, this reminds me of my first mission. Dive bombing and strafing in the Paris area...when we were low on fuel we headed home to Raydon, England. As we came out, we met a gaggle of Enemy Aircraft at 12 O'clock high. These old fellows knew what to do....the leader said " They are heading for the deck, lets go get them". While I was sitting there looking for EA, they all peeled off to the deck. I didn't see any of them again till I got back to Raydon. I tooled around looking for them till I was just about out of gas and headed home across that channel, about 50 ft off the deck, running on fumes. I barely made it to the other side and landed at an emergency strip, got some gas , and went home. The tower said they had given up on me because I didn't have enough gas to fly that long.
Steve, I don't know if this answered your question but it was a pleasure telling you. Thanks..>>Monroe"

Update: "Thanks Steve. During our in-flight communication, we used our flight position as our call sign. To identify squadrons, each squadron had a name. While I was there, 350th sq was "Seldom" squadron, 351st was "Lawyer" squadron and 352nd was "Jockey" squadron. I was in the 351st....the squadron leader's call sign would be "LAWYER LEADER", his wing man would be LAWYER
WHITE TWO", his element leader would be LAWYER WHITE THREE, and the element leader's wing man would LAWYER WHITE FOUR., ETC. We did not have numbers on our planes. We did have identification Letter markings for assignment of the Aircraft to a squadron and specific pilots. The 350th markings were LH, 351st was YJ, and 352nd was SX. The pilots can pick a letter to go with that if the letter is not already taken. They usually pick the first letter of their last name. For example my P-51 identification markings was YJ-W. But, we did not use these as callsigns. Steve, I hope this helps..Thanks..>>Monroe"

Editors Note: You can read more about Monroe and his missions including pictures and an a copy of an actual mission report here.

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Question 61: "Dear Lt. Col.: I have a buddy in our club building Jerry Bates plan Dauntlass. Over a few Krispy Kreme doughnuts, we were discussing whether or not the SBD had retractable wings. He said that the one on the Yorktown in Charleston, SC was hanging on the ceiling in the hanger deck on a cable. Was this for display or were they really stored that way. Thanks for any info you may have. Respectfully; Jesse High Point, NC"

Monroe: "Thanks Jessie, good question, but to confirm the answer was not easy. See this statement in the following link:

"At the time of the Skyraider's first flight in 1944 it was intended by the Navy to be the replacement for the ageless SBD Dauntless that had served so well on aircraft carriers despite its lack of folding wings"

http://www.pimaair.org/Acftdatapics/dou_ea1f.htm

Also, talked with a friend of mine that served on the Uss Saratoga. He said planes were never stored hanging from a cable. So the one on the Yorktown was on display.
Thanks again, Jessie...>>>Monroe"

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Question 62: "Sir, Iam researching info on kittyhawk mk1 112 squadron markings for a scale project that I am about to begin, (Zirolli warhawk) and can not seem to find out much, except that they are credited with the shark mouth nose art. I really need detailed info so if there is anything you can think I would really appreciate it.
Thanks in advance Pat."

Monroe: "Thanks Pat. I am not familiar with the Squadron and I am not able to find a lot of info about them. I am leaving three links that mention the P-40 MK1 in the 112th Squadron. Search the links and you may find some info that may help you with the Squadron markings. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.>>Monroe"

http://www.making-history.ca/features/british/imshi/default.htm

http://eawhostsite.0catch.com/gregp40.html

http://www.geocities.com/realismcounts/P40.html

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Update: Rob sends this extra information: "The link site below does not have detailed information but it maybe of some help in identification. Cheers, Rob."

http://www.geocities.com/raf_112_sqdn/

Question 63: "Sir, were 51s better than 47s. Thanks for your service. Jack, Happy Landings"

Monroe: "Hello Jack, I just received your two E-mails....I guess Warbirds overlooked them for a few days....sorry.
To answer your question about the P-51 Vs the P-47.....For dive bombing and strafing, the P-47 was a better plane. It had a radial engine and was a much more rugged plane and could withstand the heavy ground fire much better. The P-51 was better for escort missions and for air to air combat. It had a much longer range and we could escort the bombers all the way from England to Berlin and back. And, I think the P-51 was a better flying plane. However, it had a liquid cooled engine and was subject to loss of coolant if hit. ....>>>Monroe"

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Question 64: "Hello Monroe, One of my co-workers' father was a mechanic on P51's during World War 2. He happened to run across a photo of his father posing next to the plane he worked on, a P 51 named Buckeye Bogie. According to the caption, it was a
339th aircraft of the 357th Fighter Group. I would really like to build a model of this plane for my co-worker, and would like to know if you can help determine the correct colors. It shows a checkboard around the spinner, looks like white/black or yellow/black.
Here is an address from where my friend found the photo. It may help you determine where to look for more info.
http://www.cebudanderson.com/vinphotoII09.htm Any help would be appreciated so I can build a correct model for my friend. Thank you, Mike "

Monroe: "Mike, thanks for your question. It is a good one but a very complicated one. You stated " 339th a/c of the 357th Group". The 339th was not in the 357th Gp. The 339th was at Fowlmere, England and the 357th was at Leiston, England. However, the plane you are speaking of is a 339th plane sitting on the field at Leiston along with planes of the 363rd Sq. of the 357th Gp. I sent your information to my friend Peter Randall to see if he may have more information on the plane "Buckeye Bogie". I have included his reply. He suggested trying to get more information from your friend....take a look at his suggestions. If you want to make the plane as a 339th plane, use the "Red and White" checker color scheme...see the link below:
http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/339thfg-gallery.jsp

If you want to make it as a 357th plane, use the "Red and Yellow" checker
color scheme...see the link below:
http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/357thfg-gallery.jsp

Thanks Mike, I hope this helps..>>>Monroe"

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Question 65: "Dear Lt. Col. Monroe, I wanted to ask you if you could help me to find an original picture of the nose art from a specific P-47 Thunderbolt? The aircraft flew in 5th.Army Air Force 58th FGP 310th FSQ and was called 'Pioneer Peggy'. I would be very grateful for any information from your side concerning this aircraft's nose art. I want to build a scale model of pioneer peggy and therefore require an exact picture to scale down to the aircrafts size and copy it on the cowling afterwards... thanks and greetings from switzerland, Beni "

Monroe: "Thanks Beni, good to hear from someone from Switzerland...beautiful country. I don't know how much I can help with a picture of " Pioneer Peggy" Aircraft, but I can show you a beautiful picture of the "Nose Art". I am leaving you some links to look at. Also, will leave you an attachment of the Nose Art picture. Thanks again and I hope it will help..>>Monroe"
http://www.web-birds.com/5th/58/58.htm
http://spruebrothers.zoovy.com/product/HAS09541
http://members.tripod.com/tophatssquadron/id30.htm
http://www.aereinellastoria.it/noseart.htm

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Question 66: "Col. Williams, First it is a pleasure and an honor to be able to write to you for information. I am finishing a large P-47 D11, 102" wingspan, and I am curious as to how well the paint, primarily the insignia, and codes were painted on. In some photos they look a bit hastily applied, and in others they look absolutely perfect. Of course, in most if not all of the color artwork and color profiles in books, everything is perfect. I guess to be brief, were there ever signs of overspray, runs, anything of that nature visible?
Thank you Sir, Rob Bailey RC Warbirds Finish Advisor"

Monroe: "Rob, coming from you, I consider it a compliment to be ask such a question. It is like a Doctor asking a Plummer how to do an operation. However, I will try to answer your question the best that I can remember.
I believe the National Insignia( star and bar) was put on the planes at the factory.....they were always perfect...never any overruns. How they did it, I don't know.
The cowlings and Squadron markings,etc, were done by our group paint shop. Most generally they had sharp edges with no overruns. I note that sometimes painters would try to highlight the Squadron Markings by edging the letters with a different color paint.....sometimes these were ragged. See the link below as an example.

http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/gallery-pu.jsp?index=27&Group=353

Also, the D-Day stripes were a very hurry up job and done by several different people. Many of them turned out pretty ragged.
Rob, I don't know if this helps, but I do appreciate you asking
Thanks..>>>Monroe"

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Question 67: "Dear Mr. Wiliams, In this moment I trying to make a scale drawings of the American famous bomber Martin B-10. Available sources are very poor and I would like to know is there anywhere published materials regarding to this plane. In this way I prefer structural rawings and cutaways. Yours sincerely, Bradic"

Monroe: "Hello Bradic, good to hear from you. I can find many nice pictures of the Martin B-10, but no cut-aways. Some of the pictures have the Aircraft specs listed that may help. I have listed a few links for you to look at. The last one is a schematic of the layout of the plane, but I am unable to read it. I am sorry I can't be of more help..Thanks..>>>Monroe"
http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/early_years/ey13a.htm
http://thebeacon.topcities.com/stokes/stokes-25.htm
http://www.4reference.net/encyclopedias/wikipedia/Martin_B_10.html
http://www.1000aircraftphotos.com/APS/2195.htm
http://www.daveswarbirds.com/usplanes/aircraft/b-10_b12.htm
http://www.co.ba.md.us/News/trivia/nov_answers/qa1.html

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Question 68: "Lt Col Monroe Q Williams. Could you supply a brief history of the late Glen E Duncan. I published a booklet "Milfield, not just an aitfield....." in 1994, this has been updated & is ongoing on www.milfield.org.uk My account of the subject is incomplete; in particular the date & location of his being shot down by German flak. If you can assist I would be most grateful. Evans"

Monroe: "Alan, Thank you for your question and congratulations on your book.
I'm sorry I never met Col. Duncan and cannot give you a personal account of his history. He was shot down on July 7th, 1944 and I didn't get there till end of July 44. He came back to the 353rd in April 45 and I left in March 45.
I think the link below will give you the information you are looking for about Col. Duncan and the 353rd Group. Note chapter 20 gives some of the details on the day he was shot down.
http://www.worldwar2pilots.com/05-SlybirdEarlyOn-new.htm

If you feel you would like more information, you may consider purchasing Graham Cross' book "Jonah's Feet are Dry".....history of the 353rd Gp. See link below:
http://www.netherhall47.freeserve.co.uk/

Thanks Alan and good luck on your book..>>>Monroe"

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Question 69: "Monroe, I am currently building a Top Flite P-39. I was hoping to model it after Lt Eugene Wahl's P-400 (P-39 Airacobra I) which he flew in the defense of New Guinea while assigned to the 39th FS, 35th FG. I have one colour plate, port side only, that came from the book "P-39 Airacobra aces of WW-2". I later found a 1/48 scale model of the same aircraft that was produced by Eduard. However, there are some discrepancies between the two. I was hoping that you would have a source for additional photos and documentation. So far my searches through books and the internet have netted nothing. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Andy"

Monroe: "Thanks Andy for your question. Don't know if I can help or not. I assume the link below is the Eduard picture you were speaking of:http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/Fea1/701-800/Fea765_P-400_Williamson/fea765.htmScroll down the next link and you will note planes of the 39th Sqd with "Blue spinners", 40th Sq with "Red spinners", and 41st Sq with "Yellow spinners".....I believe that to be correct.http://www.eaw.it/pagine/USAAF%2035FG.htm#P-39%20WahlCheck this next link...it appears this Eduard kit depicts Lt. Wahl's plane as close as you will find...hope this helps..Thanks..>>>Monroe http://donaldgranger.home.att.net/p-400.htm"

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Question 70: "Hi Col Monroe - - REALLY enjoy the info you have provided! I am looking for reference photos (prefer on the web) of the radio equipment and compartment on P-51B & C to use for modeling. Also the nomenclature of the equipment - radios, ancillary equipment, etc, along with antenna locations on the different models with and without Malcom Hoods. THX!!!"

Monroe: "Thanks Pete for your nice comment.I don't know how much I can help, but I will provide what I can remember and what I can find. These pictures are not very good but click on the link below and you will find Zeno Warbirds "neat P-51 stuff":
http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com/More_P-51_Stuff.html
Click on this link and you will find the right side of the cockpit, where the radios controls are located....click the expand button and you can see a little better:
http://www.zenoswarbirdvideos.com/Images/P-51/P-51CRS.gif

No 8 is the "VHF" box, our main communication box. It had four channels....frequencies could be set as needed...air to air comm, air to tower,etc. See the link below for a picture of it:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2251812628#ebayphotohosting

No 19 is a "Range receiver control box". We called it a "coffee grinder". With a tuning knob you could tune it to a wide range of frequencies. Don't think we could use it overseas, but in the US most all stations had a transmitter range that sent out a steady beam in four directions...north,south, east, and west. In the NW and SE quadrants, between the beams, it transmitted an "A", in morris code...."dit-da". In the SW and NE quadrants it transmitted an "N"..."da-dit". On the beam, it transmitted a steady tone.....so, once you hit the beam, you fly it into the station. I have used it but I never did like it.

No 10 is the "IFF Radar control Panel". If you turn that on it sends out a signal and you hope Air Sea Rescue will pick it up.

No 9 is "DF(direction finder) Tone Switch"...Normally, you call ground control and ask for a heading home. He will ask you to do a long count or turn your DF on. He could only tell you what direction you were from the station. Later on, we had other ground stations in France and they could do a criss-cross of your position and could pin point our position

These last two links should give you some idea as to the antenna arrangement. I have never seen a Malcolm canopy so I don't know much about it.
http://www.flightjournal.com/plane_profiles/p-51_mustang/drawing_p-51b-c_mustang_III.asp

http://www.flightjournal.com/plane_profiles/p-51_mustang/p-51_mustang_details.asp

Thanks again Pete and I hope this will give some help..>>>Monroe "

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Question 71: "I was wondering if you could tell me the difference between a P-40 D and a P-40 E. I seem to be having very little luck with information on what the difference is. And then, where could I get information on the P-40 D. I am building a Ziroli P-40 and would to finish the plane after a scale one. Mike"

Monroe: "Thanks Mike for your questions. I don't know if you have these links or not....they will answer ,at least, some of your questions. In the first link please note this statement:

"Only 22 Ds were produced before the order was changed to accommodate six guns. Curtiss promptly responded to this request, but the modified aircraft received the designation P-40E. P-40E - as stated above, it was identical to the D-version except for six wing-mounted machine guns."

So,if you make a "D", you will have two guns in each wing....an "E" you will have three guns in each wing. That would be your only difference. See link below:
http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/magazine/1999/09/stuff_eng_p40.htm

These links may help you also:
http://home.att.net/~jbaugher1/p40_7.html
http://www.warbirdrestorations.co.nz/p-40d_version.htm
http://www.aero-web.org/specs/curtiss/p-40d.htm

Thanks again, Mike and good luck..>>>Monroe"

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Question 72: "Hey there Monroe, The first thing I would like to say is, great site, all respect to you and your flying career, and thanks for this wonderful opportunity to talk with you. I am currently doing a great deal of research on Col.J.D.Landers of 'Big Beautiful Doll' fame, and need some clarification if you can help? I am told by two individuals that when in the Pacific, Landers flew BOTH P-40s ('Texas Longhorn') and briefly a P-38. Might you have any evidence by way of details on Landers service record to put this issue to sleep once and for all?....As I have been searching for weeks to try and find any record of this 'P-38', if in fact the rumour is true. Thank you kindly for your time sir! Nathan"

Monroe: "Thanks Nathan, good question, not so easy to answer. There is nothing that specifically says he flew P-38s in the pacific before he went to Europe. Based upon the following links, It appears he did fly P-38s for a short time before he returned to the US. See links:
http://www.78thfightergroup.com/history/78th12oclockhigh.html
http://www.flyingknights.net/unit/43a.htm
http://www.flyingknights.net/tfk9fs/tfkpg31.htm
http://www.aikensairplanes.com/speccast/newpage212.htm

As you will note in the links, John D. Landers was with the 9th Sqd of the 49th Ftr Gp. at Darwin, Australia. He was shot down in December 1942 and evaded. Now, the next question is " Did he go back to the 9th Sqd and continue flying or did he rotate home?" As you will note, the 9th Sqd received P-38s on Jan 15th, 1943. and they moved to Dobodura, New Guinea on March 6th, 1943. Please note the picture taken at the Officer's Club in Dobodura.....John D. Landers' picture is on it. So, he did remain with the Squadron for awhile after they got P-38s.
And, of course, he did fly P-38s with the 55th Group in the 8th Airforce.
Thanks Nathan.....hope this helps..>>>Monroe"

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