Jennings Posted June 28, 2015 Share Posted June 28, 2015 The P-6E in Dayton was restored in the 1963 by the Purdue University Aviation Department, and has been on display at the museum since. Not a lot of P-6Es were built, and period photos of them in service are pretty rare. The airplane on display at the museum is marked as #40 of the 17th PS, 1st PG at Selfridge. The problem is, I can't seem to find references for this specific aircraft. And what you do find rarely agree. To wit: Does the airplane have two red command stripes on the upper wing, or three? Or none? Is the "U.S. ARMY" under the wings in standard 1:4:6 45 degree corner lettering, or is it a taller, skinnier stroke width? Are the diving snow owls (which were undoubtedly hand painted) the same on both sides (highly doubtful)?? Anybody got any solid info on this airplane? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
flypaper2222 Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 (edited) The P-6E in Dayton was restored in the 1963 by the Purdue University Aviation Department, and has been on display at the museum since. Not a lot of P-6Es were built, and period photos of them in service are pretty rare. The airplane on display at the museum is marked as #40 of the 17th PS, 1st PG at Selfridge. The problem is, I can't seem to find references for this specific aircraft. And what you do find rarely agree. To wit: Does the airplane have two red command stripes on the upper wing, or three? Or none? Is the "U.S. ARMY" under the wings in standard 1:4:6 45 degree corner lettering, or is it a taller, skinnier stroke width? Are the diving snow owls (which were undoubtedly hand painted) the same on both sides (highly doubtful)?? Anybody got any solid info on this airplane? A photo in the book 'The Curtiss Hawks' by Shamburger and Christy shows an in flight photo (USAF photo page 56)of the 17th from above, the lead flight of 3 aircraft has whats looks to be (under a magnifying loop) #40 with the 3 red Command stripes on its top wing. I would normally scan such a photo but in this case the spine of the book is my concern. Flypaper Just took a look in Archers book Vol I and another pic of the 17th in flight different angle but #40 is in line with other a/c and the command stripes are clearly visible. Edited June 29, 2015 by flypaper2222 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted June 29, 2015 Author Share Posted June 29, 2015 Thanks! I had that old Shamburger book pre-fire. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cubs2jets Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 (edited) Jennings, I've been trying (with little success) to access my pictures from 2009. If you can see beyond my friend Bill, here is the P-6E at the NMUSAF. Looks like three stripes on the top wing. I know I have a picture that shows at least part of "ARMY" on the lower wing, if I can access it. C2j Edited July 2, 2015 by Cubs2jets Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted July 2, 2015 Author Share Posted July 2, 2015 Great pic! Even more interesting than Bill (as interesting as he certainly is!) is the fact that both ailerons are drooping! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cubs2jets Posted July 3, 2015 Share Posted July 3, 2015 Jennings, The P6-E is actually in only mediocre shape. I broke the cardinal rule of museums and "stepped over the line" when no one was around and took some close-up pictures. The cockpit is unfinished and most of the instruments were missing from the instrument panel. I am having trouble accessing those pictures at this time, but will continue trying. I would not lend much creedence to the fact that both ailerons are drooping. There is a good chance the linkage is not even hooked up! John Scott Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Marv Posted July 16, 2015 Share Posted July 16, 2015 I think the Air Force museum's P-6E was not a restoration, but rather a complete new-build back in the 1960's, IIRC. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ro-Gar Hobbies Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 The link will take you to the picture with the P-6E Hawks in formation. You can clearly see not all the tops of the wing had the strips. http://www.airminded.net/shortsubjs/p6e_1929.jpg Robert Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted July 25, 2015 Author Share Posted July 25, 2015 The P-6E in Dayton is very real. It's 32-261, but restored to represent 32-240. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hawk10 Posted August 2, 2015 Share Posted August 2, 2015 My guess on the position of the ailerons in the pic is that they were installed and connected, but they weren't adjusted to the proper neutral position and the cable tension was not adjusted. (A classic case of "Good enough for Government Use!") Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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