Research Assistance Requested - P-51D "LITTLE GIRL" Leroy Grosshuesch

[lyric1]

My grandfather was the mechanic on this plane in WWII. He was part of the Occupational Force and I have two photos of of this plane sitting on a tarmac 1 with my Grandfather and the Pilot as well as one with the plane on its own and the Tail number is clearly 33. I also somewhat disagree with the color of the two stripes and what they cross through etc they look, in black and white like if they were blue they would be light colored, I was guessing them as yellow because of how light they appear in the black and white photos. I am including an incomplete screenshot of the plane. Please credit the Taggart family if there is any public use of the photo. Please note the outline around the Text "Little Girl" Also note the color outline that runs around the canopy just below it which appears to be the same color as the two angled stripes and the apparently very light colored or white line that runs around the fuselage where the black stripes meet the aluminum color as well as the US Army Air corps star how the white bars that generally are shown forming a circle a bit outside of the star are actually very close to or are actually touching the tips of the starts fore and aft. I am adding more screenshots. Also the "portrayed as blue" area just aft of the propeller cone has a much thinner and tapered dark separating line than is shown in many of the illustrations seen in the above replys with links and what not.

Very nice. 

[Vraciu]

Excellent info.  Many thanks.  I will use this for my next update. 

[ctaggart1]

Thank you.

[Vraciu]

Excellent info.  Many thanks.  I will use this for my next update. 


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I'm tackling this one.   Can I get some feedback on the nose color?  Blue or yellow?

See the nose art for a hint.

Here is the quote from the gent who provided the photos:

My grandfather was the mechanic on this plane in WWII. He was part of the Occupational Force and I have two photos of of this plane sitting on a tarmac 1 with my Grandfather and the Pilot as well as one with the plane on its own and the Tail number is clearly 33. I also somewhat disagree with the color of the two stripes and what they cross through etc they look, in black and white like if they were blue they would be light colored, I was guessing them as yellow because of how light they appear in the black and white photos. I am including an incomplete screenshot of the plane. Please credit the Taggart family if there is any public use of the photo. Please note the outline around the Text "Little Girl" Also note the color outline that runs around the canopy just below it which appears to be the same color as the two angled stripes and the apparently very light colored or white line that runs around the fuselage where the black stripes meet the aluminum color as well as the US Army Air corps star how the white bars that generally are shown forming a circle a bit outside of the star are actually very close to or are actually touching the tips of the starts fore and aft. I am adding more screenshots. Also the "portrayed as blue" area just aft of the propeller cone has a much thinner and tapered dark separating line than is shown in many of the illustrations seen in the above replys with links and what not.

[ctaggart1]

I think it could be blue just a bit lighter than the artist rendering that I was looking at in some of the links that were included. Certainly not a dark blue given the lightness compared to the black on the plane. My guess was always yellow before seeing this thread so take that for what it is worth. If there is a good source that says it was blue go blue but keep it light not so dark as some of the renderings or artwork that had links IMO.

[Vraciu]

Here is the blue I have at the moment.  I have not changed the tail number yet nor added the nose art backing color...   I also need to use my metal version 5 as I think this is using version 3.  Once I get the markings nailed down I can transfer them over to a better metal template.

[Vraciu]

Here is my original for comparison.

https://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,398007.msg5275393.html#msg5275393

[Devil 505]

Another nice improvement.

[Vraciu]

Another nice improvement.

Thank you.  Any thoughts on the colors based on the new photos above?

[Devil 505]

The colors look fine.

[Vraciu]

The colors look fine.

So we agree the nose is blue?

[Devil 505]

So we agree the nose is blue?

That's my opinion. Reference that color photo of the P-39 with the blue spinner. That blue would probably contrast pretty highly with black.

Now that I think about it, perhaps your blue could be a bit lighter.

Also, wouldn't the spinner color be related to the squadron? Are other squadron P-51's also blue?

[lyric1]

 

[Greebo]

I prefer the toned down blue you have now, was a little too bright before I think.

[oboe]

A fine study of a colorful aircraft.   I like the new, dustier blue as well.