Author Topic: Question for the HTC Art Dudes (Read 347 times)

Dnil · « **on:** December 29, 2002, 11:39:58 AM »

If I may ask...I can't remember who did the F6F, but I am curious as to why "Minsi II" was chosen? No hidden agenda, just curious.

I posted a letter from David on his aircraft in the aircraft section. I know "Minsi III" had the art on both sides of the plane with at most 30 kills, last 4 added just as he was sent back home.

Mathman · « **Reply #1 on:** December 29, 2002, 12:48:29 PM »

I asked them about this at one of the last two cons. I think they said that they thought it was supposed to be Minsi III and that the markings for Minsi II were used by mistake.

Personally, I would rather see Minsi III but with the 21 kills that were on it before his 9 kill sortie of October 24, 1944. Kind of captures the plane in a distinct moment in its history.

BTW, the 4 kills were added to the F6F he was "given" when he returned to the states. It never had them while he was on the Essex (at least according to an interview with him in one of my books).

Now, if we could only get an F6F-3 with the 3-tone camo...

Dnil · « **Reply #2 on:** December 29, 2002, 01:16:14 PM »

his plane in the states never had Minsi painted on it, just the kill marks. I actually have 2 letters from him, only posted the one though. The photo above I believe is publicity shots before his return home.

FYI David was a family member.

EDIT: boy that fyi sounds snotty, not meant to be.

Mathman · « **Reply #3 on:** December 29, 2002, 01:33:44 PM »

You know, the more I look at the photo, the more you are right (not that you should be wrong or anything, I was just going by an interview I have). The Hellcat in that pic has the windows behind the cockpit that were only on the very first production F6F-5's, of which Minsi III was one. The pic that I have of his plane back in the states doesn't have a name on it, but it does have all 34 kills. Also, the kills on this plane were under the windscreen and not the canopy, unlike the pic above.

Oh well, I was mistaken, not the first time nor the last...

Puke · « **Reply #4 on:** December 29, 2002, 10:29:42 PM »

Other than kill markings, what would graphically be the difference? A "II" vs the "III"?

I'm curious why the aircraft in Aces High never include the victory markings the particular aircraft is known to have. The latest P-51D is gorgeous, but it doesn't look quite right w/out the victory markings.