Colors - the original P-40's came to China with American paint, soon after those colors were covered by whatever paint was available - British/Chinese so "correct" AVG P-40 colors may be a point of contention.
Soon after operations began against the Japanese many AVG P-40 became damaged and were relegated to the 'bone-yard' thus a flying P40 might have components of many planes. Again, color and camo pattern was less important than getting a fighter into the air.
Markings - other than the Disney designed Tiger flying out of the V all other markings were up to the pilot or crew and hand painted. Often the individual pilot painted his own markings. This leaves alot of differences in what was "official" markings of the AVG.
Shark Teeth - again painted by the crew on each plane. The teeth were painted on to give the P-40 an aggressive look and not to scare the Japanese! What would be more frightening - painted shark teeth or a 4 .50 cal and 2 .30 cal MG's shooting at you.
Flying Tigers - The AVG originally did not like this name. The Chinese people who saw the planes coined the term. An American reported who spoke Chinese picked up on this and dubbed the AVG "Flying Tigers" The AVG pilots finally took to the name and the rest they say is history.
One final note: Chennault did not have many friends in the Army. He made the imprudent act of telling the brass asses in the Pentagon that they were wrong. Unlike Mitchell he was not court-marshalled, but when it was apparent the war was won, he was unceremoniously retired from service. According to Chennault's daughter, the saddest day of her fathers life was hearing of the surrender of Japan on board the deck of the Missouri and not being there.
