Smaranda Brăescu

As I noted previosuly, YR-ADB (not 'ADP) was most probably painted in Rumania's national colours (blue, yellow and red).

The sequence of colours is debatable. The wing centre is most probably yellow, but which colour was the fuselage, I cannot tell. Logic would say that it was red, as it's brighter and more eye catchy, but unless we have some reference (like the tricolour painted on the rudder), it's hard to tell.

The other photo posted is another Miles Hawk sub-type, M.2Y, in use with ARR (10 pcs.). The original photographer was T. Greceanu.

Besides M.2H and M.2Y, the following Miles airplanes were also in Rumanian service: M.7 and M.11A, if I identified them correctly.

Gen. Dénes

Dan and Dénes,

The exercise of extracting conclusions from old black and white photo prints is, to say the least, a tricky business, and certainly a misleading one. The nature of the film used originally is of utmost importance, for this may influence our own visual perception of what might be this or that colour in a black and white print. Some light tones may look darker than they were in reality and vice-versa…
One of the key reasons for this lays in the basic differences between orthochromatic and pancromathic films.
The first is sensitive to green, blue and violet light. The photographic materials in use at the turn of the century were sensitive to blue light only, but the introduction of improved orthochromatic film enlarged the reachable range of light to green too, just in the middle of the region accessible to the human eye. As a side effect, this move improved the tonal value of photos, since green is also the colour to which our eyes are most responsive. Orthochromatic film was common for studio work in the 20’s, 30’s and 40’s, but outdoors use was also relatively usual. Of course, the lightning conditions are of paramount importance and should always be taken into consideration when one is studying any given print.
On the other hand, the panchromatic type is sensitive to light from all the colour scale. The limitations imposed upon the professionals (and later on, upon hobbists too) by early materials, sensitive only to blue and UV, stimulated the search for better solutions, especially suited to a wide range of situations, light conditions and so on. Research work with dyes, proved that the workable spectrum could be enlarged to include green light, and, further on, orange and red light.*

The two photos posted by Dénes, depicting YB-ADB, seem to have been developed from panchromatic film, but this is just an educated guess – I don’t know if the scanned prints are originals prepared from original negatives or later copies, for instance.
I agree with Dan's conclusions, and it is easy to imagine a blue (bright, but possibly not very dark) fuselage, a yellow (bright and with a strong tonal value) wing central section and red (a bit dark, and quite bright, imo) wing tips. As for the registration lettering, well, it can be red, or – why not… - maybe even faded black…

Ruy

* note: after having spent hours with my co-author looking at original, contemporary prints of Ejército del Aire Tupolev SB’s made during the 40’s, and knowing beforehand the identity of the three colours – from official period documentation - used in the German-style, splinter camouflage scheme (RLM 61, RLM 62 and RLM 63 or at least close Spanish-made equivalents) we still had doubts concerning the green and grey areas (in a sort of “who’s who” quiz). We could see the boundaries between the two colours, and we weren’t going anywhere, until we finally discovered a very clear shot which provided neat indications.
The problem we experienced with the green and grey fields may explain why some authors published profiles of post-Civil War SB’s in a spurious "splinter" camo scheme composed of green and sand areas…

P.S.: Thanks for posting the photo of the Miles M.2Y, Dan. Looks pretty much like a standard M.2H, except for the small head-rest behind the instructor canopy.

This post has been edited by Ruy Aballe on April 20, 2005 10:10 pm

I saw some color pictures with Klem 25 trainer planes in ARR service and the letters registration were red painted.

Dan.

Dan,

In the first photo posted by Dénes, with Miss Brăescu posing in traditional costume, the wing registration lettering looks as if painted at least in a colour similar to the one used in the wing tips, possibly red. I am not so sure about the fuselage letters, though. If the fuselage was blue (even a light tone), then a much darker colour must have been used for the purpose, a dark red... or maybe black.
But unfortunately, all we can do is wander around, because the subject of our discussion is a one-off civilian aircraft. In the case of many military planes we have clues, and sometimes (when we are lucky enough) even official documents that may guide us. That is clearly not the case here...

Ruy

Talking of Miles airplanes in ARR service, a list dated 6 Sept. 1940 mentions the following trainers: Hawk M and Hawk N. The question is: what did M and N represent?

Gen. Dénes

The Miles M.2H Hawk (Braescu) was to be used for a record long distance flight

from London to Bucharest. This was in 1935, possibly June. Maybe others can

provide a more precise date. The aircraft was christened "Aurel Valicu". Was

this flight ever attempted or completed? Further details?

This post has been edited by R. Plehinger on November 08, 2005 12:32 pm

Are you sure it was "Valicu" and not "Vlaicu"?

Of course, it was 'Aurel Vlaicu'. It's written on the fuselage.

Gen. Dénes

I missed that one. You probably have better eyes than I.

Thanks for correcting my spelling---but was the flight ever made?

http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/844/picture196ug1.jpg
On the right is a close relative (the wife of Capt Striska and Paraschivesu).
On the left a good friend of her-Smaranda Braescu.

Hi,
I have come across a nice photo of Smaranda dated 02/10/1930, the day of her record jump in the gallery of photos of the site of the 'Airoclubul Romaniei'.
I was looking for Papana's picture on the site:
http://www.airclub.rdsnet.ro/modules/gallery
and amongst them is this one:
http://img337.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p...roumaniejm9.jpg

Have a good day