Re: Shade Ruff/Shade Ruff II - 614th BS, 401st BG (H)

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                                        <b>Posted:</b><br>
                                        <b>By: </b><a href='mailto:slava1stclass@hotmail.com'>COL Bruce E. Empric</a><br>
                                        <b>On: </b>11/25/2003 <br>
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                                    <td style='vertical-align: top;'>Scott,<br><br>  I have the NARA xerox copies for the three photo references you cited for &quot;Shade Ruff.&quot;  Based on the information contained on the copies, all three photos are of &quot;Shade Ruff # 2.&quot;  All are nose shots of the ship.  In at least one of the three copies, the graphic &quot;# 2&quot; is clearly present after the words &quot;Shade Ruff&quot; on the ship's left front side.  So we have photographic confirmation that the ship actually carried the &quot;# 2&quot; designation for at least some period of time.  In the two other xerox copies of the photos the &quot;# 2&quot; is either not visible (given the angle) or has simply faded away owing to the harsh environment/repeated combat missions over Germany.  What's also very interesting about these shots is that a name is painted near each of the crew positions on the aircraft's nose/forward area.  On the chin turret, for example, the words &quot;Betty Baby&quot; appear.  My late aunt's name was Betty!  While it may only be a coincidence, it may also very well be the case that the 1LT Stine crew assumed this ship and painted it up once the original &quot;Shade Ruff&quot; went MIA on 8 MAR 44.<br>  Based on the info you provided, I will likely request that NARA send me xerox copies of the two  NARA photo reference numbers for &quot;Shade Ruff 2&quot; just to see what they show.  Thanks again.  <br><br>Regards,<br><br>Bruce  <br></td>
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