All-green Mustangs in China

[quang]

Hi everyone,

While researching for a new project, I stumbled on these photos of P-51B/C belonging to the 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 23rd FG in China, 1945.

 

 

 

You’ll notice that while all sported the distinctive black lightning bolt of the 118th, a few of the planes wore an unusual overall dark green camouflage while others remained NMF.
I suppose the gloss green livery was applied in the field using locally-produced paints or as someone suggested, it had been waxed. Even so, why this peculiar treatment? Was there a special significance? Looks like to me the usual wrap-around dark green the ROCAF used on captured Japanese planes at the end of the war.

What do you P-51 fans think? Can you help me resolve this mystery?

Thank you for your time and expertise.

Cheers,

Quang

Edited May 16, 2024 by quang

[Juggernut]

By looking closely at the first image, I don’t think the “green” one is overall green.  I believe it’s the standard OD/NG that predates the order to remove the camouflage.  

[quang]

1 hour ago, Juggernut said:

By looking closely at the first image, I don’t think the “green” one is overall green.  I believe it’s the standard OD/NG that predates the order to remove the camouflage.  

How about the two other close-ups? Do you see neutral grey as well?

[Juggernut]

4 hours ago, quang said:

How about the two other close-ups? Do you see neutral grey as well?

There is a lot of glare in the second two but I think I can make out a demarcation line.

 

As an aside, the main landing gear door in the first image also appears to be neutral grey.  
 

Please don’t misconstrue what I’m seeing as hard fact as all kinds of things went on during that war and what you see may be fact.

Edited May 16, 2024 by Juggernut

[Oldbaldguy]

Hmmmm.  Looks overall green to me.  I don’t see any neutral gray at all.  Some significant chipping and wear is visible as well, suggesting the airplane may have been poorly prepped and painted in the field using enamel, maybe?  Any unit with the gear to paint those whopping big lightning bolt stripes ought to be able to paint an entire airplane.

[GeeBee]

They are indeed painted in OD over NG. I had saved a few other images, and no doubt about that. Some appear to be waxed, also.

https://www.worldwarphotos.info/wp-content/gallery/usa/aircrafts/p-51/118th_TRS_23rd_FG_Laohwangping_China_6-45.jpg

Edited May 16, 2024 by GeeBee

[TankBuster]

Nice find, they appear to be OD over NG in the Gee Bee's Photo. Cheers.

 

[quang]

6 hours ago, Juggernut said:

Please don’t misconstrue what I’m seeing as hard fact as all kinds of things went on during that war and what you see may be fact.

It’s not my intent to misconstrue anything, that’s why I asked. 
I’ve enlarged the photo posted by @GeeBee which, incidentally, is the same as my first pic. Now I can discern some demarcation between the OD and the NG.

Still like @Oldbaldguy, I can’t see any trace of grey in the close-ups.

Thank you all for your input.

Quang

[pvanroy]

I enhanced the photographs a bit, the results of which you can find here:

 

P-51 B/C

 

To my eye at least, it looks as all are OD over NG - for what it's worth.

[quang]

Thank you @pvanroy for the enhanced photographs.

 

After studying them, I’m now more persuaded than ever that the planes wore wrap-around gloss dark green (or even black?) finish.
What some people think as lighter (neutral?) grey are just reflections of the ground on the glossy finish.

Incidentally I used to work for graphic industries. Among other duties, my job consisted also at checking and correcting color proofs of text and photographs before they went to press.

Notwithstanding what the experts say, I’m trusting my eye… until someone comes up with another photo of the same planes.

Having said that, thank you all for trying to resolve my dilemma.

Cheers,

Quang

PS: Also note that while the 2 close-ups are of the same plane. the ones on the first pic are utterly different.

Edited May 18, 2024 by quang