Curious wing markings on B-17E "Peggy D"

[JohnDell]

Hello, I’ve been a lurker here for quite some time but I have a question so I decided to take the plunge and join the forum.

I have come across an interesting photo in Jerry Scutts’ “B-17 Flying Fortress (Classic aircraft: their history and how to model them”. The photo shows a formation of B-17Es of the 97th Bomb Group with B-17E 41-9043 “Peggy D” in the foreground. There appears to be two light colored circles painted on the tops of the wings just at the beginning of the outer wing panels just a little aft of the de-icer boots.

My guess is, could these perhaps be patches of gas detecting paint? I have not encountered any definite documentation of the use of these patches on U.S.A.A.F. aircraft but I know the RAF used them at one point. I would be grateful if anyone could shed some light on this. Thanks in advance.

John

[hang the expense]

Always learn something new on this sight.I had never seen that photo before.Thanks for posting.

[DryMartini]

That would be interesting, but the 'E' did not have Tokyo tanks.
So, there are no gas tanks around that position in the wings.

Do you have a higher resolution image available?

[JohnDell]

Hi Bill and thanks for responding.

I guess I should have clarified, the gas I was referring to was gas used in chemical warfare such as mustard gas. I know that the RAF at one point used a paint that was yellowish in color that would turn pink when exposed to gas during a chemical attack. This paint was either painted directly on the aircraft or painted on canvas and then doped on. In the photos I’ve seen it was placed on the wings or behind the cockpit canopy on the top of the fuselage and was diamond shaped. I was wondering if the 8th Air Force may have also followed this practice early on. So my question was, could the round light colored markings on the wings of “Peggy D” be similar patches of chemical warfare gas detecting paint? And if not, what else could they be?

I really wish I did have a higher resolution photo. I design paper card models and I’m in the process of designing a series of B-17 kits. “Peggy D” is one of the first B-17 kits I want to release and I want to get the markings as accurate as possible. I’d also like to get your permission to do a “Desert Rat” kit that you could use as a fund raiser. If anyone is interested in the kits I’m working on I can post some pictures and info in the B-17 modeling section or send me a private message.

[DryMartini]

Oooooh - Do post to the modeling section!
That would be neat.

As for a "Rat" model, I'll pass that along to Mike.

[JohnDell]

I just posted some photos and info in the "B-17 Modeling" thread.

[JohnDell]

I came across another photo of B-17s with curious markings. Can anyone shed any light on what these markings are? That is an interesting camouflage scheme too.