George Preddy P-40E "Tarheel" 49FG, 9FS
Like all 49FG P-40's it was painted olive drab on top, neutral gray on bottom. Here's some info from a forum i frequent alot:
According to the book "George Preddy Top Mustang Ace" by Noah and Sox, the answers are as follows:
1) Photos in the book look like it was Olive Drab / Neutral Gray;
2) Tarheel was initially painted on both sides of the nose. Later the name was removed from the right side and the dragon was added;
3) The plane was given the number 85. In the photo of the plane after the dragon was added, the number is visible on the bottom of the nose; and
4) The plane was a P-40E, serial number 41-5509. However, the serial number was not painted on the tail.
A company called Three Guys Replicas produced a couple of sets of decals for all of George Preddy's planes. On Tarheel Ace Part 1 there are the markings for his P-40. On Tarheel Ace Part 2 there are the markings for his P-47, two of his Mustangs and his brother's Mustang.
According to the info with the decals, the plane was Olive Drab / Neutral Gray, and the assigned number 85 was also carried on the tail. It also indicates that the US national insignias may have had the red center cirle to start with, but were deleted in May of 1942. The dragon is reported to have replaced the word Tarheel in June of 1942.
Hope this helps.
Marty
P.S. I have this book if the skinner needs it for sourcing.
Thanks a bunch, please advise if any info is needed. This should give you a basic beginning.
