RE: the Great Pink debate (or not)
You are very lucky to be able to talk to someone who was actually there! Our WWII veterans are rapidly passing away. God bless them! Anyway, I had always heard that the pink was from the tan paint weathering in the sun.
Once at my field I had the honor to talk with a Spitfire pilot from England. I had my Pica Spitfire out that day and flew it around for him. Unfortunately he and his son left just as I was landing and I didn't get to talk to him again. I never got to find out how a British pilot ended up living in Kentucky!