Here are some screenshots of a work-in-progress repaint for the Curtiss JN-4. It depicts an earlier JN-3 assigned to the US Army's 1st Aero Squadron, circa 1916, flown by then Lieutenant (later General) Benjamin Foulois during the Mexican Expedition (also known as the Punitive Expedition), in the hunt for Pancho Villa, led by General Pershing. Using Curtiss JN-3's and Curtiss Type R's, this became the United State's first use of aircraft in combat. (My great grandad, 2nd Lt. William Darwitz, the son of a German emigrant, was part of the ground forces during the Mexican Expedition, and later followed General Pershing to France with the AEF, where he served with the 141st Infantry, 36th Division in the final months of WWI/Meuse-Argonne offensive.)
I can't be absolutely sure of the colors, but I've based it on the paintings by renowned artist Russell Smith. In all likelihood, the aircraft at this early stage probably had clear-doped linen and khaki/cream-colored cowls, but I like the yellow varnished look better.
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