Meissner's "dark 14"

[Russell Smith]

Prior to becoming "white 8", Jimmy Meissner's Nieuport 28 (N6144) was "dark 14". Does anybody know what the actual color of the "14" was as it appeared on the fuselage?

Russ

[Gregvan]

Hi Russ,

My guess (and that's all that it is) is that the 14 was red. Less likely, black. The 95th was apparently using black numerals at this time, and the 94th later used yellow numerals with red shadow shading on its Spad XIIIs. A memorandum from the Office of the Chief of the Air Service dated 6 May 1918 stated that the numerals used on aircraft were to be in black, numbered serially from 1-19, and carried "on both sides of the fuselage near the stabilizer, on the under side of the right lower wing, and on the right top side of the upper wing." However, the 94th was not in compliance with this directive in other ways, so red remains a possibility. A later Air Service directive said all numerals were to be red or yellow, but we know of many squadrons who were not in compliance with this directive either. So take your pick !!

Do you have a copy of the article that Alan Toelle, Howard Fisher, Jon Guttman and myself did for the Summer 1991 issue of "OtF" ??

Greg

[Russell Smith]

Thanks Greg. I do have a copy of that article and it has been like a bible to me as I work on this next painting. Perhaps I didn't read carefully enough, but I didn't recall seeing any information on the number color. I'll probably go with red as I will be using red elsewhere in the painting.

Russ

[Russell Smith]

BTW, this will be the second painting I've created thanks in great part to your research.

Russ

[Gregvan]

Hi Russ,

Hey, glad to be of help. I hope that you can pick up a copy of "Fokker D VII Aces of World War 1" from Osprey before too long (it's actually in print, but it's taking awhile to get into circulation). Should give you fodder for more great paintings !!

Greg

[RAGIII]

I have a poor Photo copy of your article and still use it as my primary reference for 94th 28s'! Wish I had an original!
Great work and a must for those interested in 28s'and the 94th!!!!!
RAGIII

[Russell Smith]

Hey, glad to be of help. I hope that you can pick up a copy of "Fokker D VII Aces of World War 1" from Osprey before too long (it's actually in print, but it's taking awhile to get into circulation). Should give you fodder for more great paintings !!

I have no doubt that it will.

russ

[ONEALM]

Russ -

If it's any help - I did a painting of this airplane for one of the folks who helped restore the N.28 now on display at NASM Udvar-Hazy. He insisted the fuselage numerals were red, so they are red in his painting and red on the rebuilt Nieuport done in Meissner's colors.

I know I have a couple of shots of the rollout photos too - let me know if you want to take a look at those. I'll scan 'em and send them along.

-Mike

[Gregvan]

Hi Mike,

Sounds good to me !! Paint 'em red, Russ.

Greg

[Russell Smith]

I actually downloaded a couple of shots yesterday of the Udvar-Hazy N28. Pretty bird.
Red it is, then!

Russ