I've got your Frank Luke right here...

[Lufbery]

I found the painting that I was telling you guys about. It's in a book called, Early Airplanes by John Blake.

There's no credit for the artist, but there is a signature (which, naturally, I can't read).

Enjoy!
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Regards,

[Shooter]

Thanks Drew!

I love the pic. It captures the essence of the man, IMHO.

The essence of Frank Luke Jr was the conflagration of burning ballons and the joyous cry of an Indian scout/cowboy after a job well done.

Job well done!


Shooter sends

[Tim West]

I like that one too.

I am working on a Luke piece and what do you guys think about the color scheme of Luke's 26.

Everyone seems to have a different version which leads me to believe that there is not much to confirm schemes, one way or the other. I like the one shown here, but compared to the photo of Luke and SPAD # 26, its still not right.

Anyhow I know how I feel it should look, what about you guys?

Did the plane really have the checker stripe on the top wing? Did it have ying/yang wheel covers? Was the nose blue? You know that kind of stuff

Lastly does anyone have more info on the plane, Spad 13 #26, that is supposed to have been Lukes?

tia

[Shooter]

Tim, it would stand to reason that a rookie like Frank would not be given his own ride when he first came to the Western Front. That is not something you ordinarily do for an unproven driver. He was not in the line long enough to rise above that status with everyone (Luke had a big-time checkered rep during his entire career, limited as it was).

On the other hand, Luke was the exception to the rules in almost everything he did.

In every pic I have ever seen where the a/c was shown in any detail, it was always "26" that was shown, so who knows?


Shooter sends

[Gregvan]

Hi All,

The painting of Luke's plane in this thread was done by Merv Corning as part of the Leach Corporation "Heritage of the Air" series, which is discussed in another ongoing thread on the Kazakov grappling hook. Corning (I believe he's still living, and perhaps still painting) was a real pioneer in his paintings, which were as well-researched as they could be when they were done back in the late 50's and early 60's. You're right, this one (and the others) are marvelous set pieces that capture the essence of their subject, and have been widely imitated.

That being said, we now know there are several things wrong with the color scheme details in this wonderful painting (very excusable, given the state of knowledge when it was done).It is believed that Luke did indeed fly Number "26", which was a Bleriot-built Spad XIII, serial S15202, on several sorties, and this is the plane in the famous photograph. However, Corning's painting errs in showing a post-war version of the 27th Aero's eagle insignia. The wartime version was much more dramatic, showing a gray, black & white eagle with yellow beak & claws aginst a red circle. The cowling ring was blue. This airplane most likely had the 27th's wing stripes, which consisted of three black & white checkered bands which went diagonally across the left upper wing, and across the underside of the left lower wing. The "26" appeared in black & white on the opposite wing. Tim, I can suggest no better source than "Medal of Honor Aviators of World War One" by Alan Durkota, still available from Flying Machines Press. It contains an absolutely wonderful four-view of this aircraft by the excellent artist Juanita Franzi, based on Alan Durkota and Alan Toelle's research. You can't get anything better. It shows the correct camouflage pattern and all appropriate markings. Lots of excellent art showing the planes used by other MoH winners too.

Also, the replica Spad XIII which was in the Champlin Museum in Arizona, and is now in the Museum of Flight in Washington, is painted in an accurate rendition of Luke's markings, also based on Alan Toelle's work. You should be able to find photos of that fine replica. The Durkota book also contains a wonderful four-view of the Bernard-built Spad XIII S7983, which was the Spad Luke was flying when he was killed. It had only just arrived at the Squadron, thus it is shown with no special markings at all, which is very likely.

By the way, I believe that the straight-sided Balkenkreuz seen on the balloon is a small error too. I've never seen anything but Iron Crosses on German balloons, no matter the date. Even though the airplanes changed their cross styles in April 1918, I don't think this change was effected on balloons - can anyone prove me wrong with a photo ??

Greg VanWyngarden

[Shooter]

No, and as a matter of fact Greg, I cannot recall another balloon with those markings. Food for thought?


Shooter sends

[Tim West]

Wow, ask and you shall receive. Thanks guys, thats good stuff.

Greg,
The book sounds great! Sounds like a book with a lot of stuff I can use.
I will look for it. I like books

The Champlin scheme looks swell, but it still leaves me with a few questions. Mainly why the side panel appears different than that in the photo. In the photo the panel seems to be the same grey color as the underside. Also the frame around the meshed air vent looks to be red. The Champlin plane does not show this.

I know different things can affect how color appears in these photos, but here I don't see these color differences being caused by light. The difference in shade is too great to be the same color.....

imho....which by the way isn't worth much

Speaking of the Champlin collection, I live in the Seattle area and have been waiting 4 years for this to get here. The collection wont be viewable to the public until June 5 th The Museum of Flight has built a new wing just for the collection. I am very excited to have a look.

Thanks for the great replies.

[Alan]

I know I'm blasting the page format, but this is important. I think I got this from one of the myriad of Luke sites out there....

[Alan]

I can't find the one Greg is referring to online anywhere...but the cover of Frank's Osprey book on, IIRC, American Aces of WWI has Luke's SPAD XIII on the cover....

[Bob_D]

Originally posted by Gregvan@Feb 27 2004, 05:31 AM
[b]By the way, I believe that the straight-sided Balkenkreuz seen on the balloon is a small error too. I've never seen anything but Iron Crosses on German balloons, no matter the date. Even though the airplanes changed their cross styles in April 1918, I don't think this change was effected on balloons - can anyone prove me wrong with a photo?

Greetings all,

Mr.VanWyngarden raises an interesting point here. Can anyone verify if the German balloon corp were also required to update to the Balkenkreuz on their AE type balloons? (Dan-San?). I've contructed a diorama that may need revision .TIA!