[Nockers]

Dragon Models USA - 1/144 B-17F-25 Flying Fortress, 41-24562 "Sky Wolf" 358th BS, 1944

Just found this site. Dragon could be busy for a long time.

http://www.303rdbg.com/art-styling.html

[Hornchurch]

Originally Posted by Nockers

Dragon Models USA - 1/144 B-17F-25 Flying Fortress, 41-24562 "Sky Wolf" 358th BS, 1944

Just found this site. Dragon could be busy for a long time.

http://www.303rdbg.com/art-styling.html

Good to see a company choosing some seriously juicy/rude markings to adorn their B.17.

Shame that's not on one of Corgi's B.17's in 1/72nd scale.

May interest some of you guys to know that several markings/options like these from the 303rd Bomb Group, based at Molesworth, are available in 1/48th scale - from the Microscale/Superscale brand of aftermarket decals.

The original 303rd B.G. 'Thumper' 124579 - PU*F,
& 303rdB.G.'Yardbird II' 124602 - PU*A - are available, on sheet No 48-524.

I presume they may be also available in 1/72nd from the same source ???

B.T.W. Nockers, both very interesting links, especially the 2nd.

[Folgore]

Hi, Nockers -- Thanks for the 303rdBG link; very interesting. I prefer the nose art on The Duchess, personally. I wonder if Dragon will include "Maxine" on the No. 2 engine nacelle...?

[swoop]

OOPS! Hornchurch, You forgot about B17 Bit O' Lace.

[easy8]

Great link Nockers...thanks!

easy8

[mustangdriver]

I love the early B-17's, so this will be a welcome addition.

[Nockers]

If you have not already done so, check out the links page

http://www.303rdbg.com/links.html Enjoy

[Hornchurch]

Originally Posted by swoop

OOPS! Hornchurch, You forgot about B17 Bit O' Lace.

No way, Jose - swoop

I'll never forget 'Bit O' Lace'.....the first ever B.17 I ever learnt about (back in the late 'sixties, when I bought & made the 1/72nd Airfix model (plastic kit), with the transfer-sheet that had that lovely nose-art.....
(1960's transfer-sheet = decals, in the '90's & 'noughties).

As 'Bit O' Lace' flew with the 447th B.G. from Rattlesden, in the county where I live (Norfolk)...... she wouldn't have been included in the discussion, on topic........ as those B.17's are from the 303rd B.G. from Molesworth in Cambridgeshire, a county to our lower-left, geographically speaking.

For the un-initiated, a great way (& easy identifier) to tell which region (& Air-Division) these Eighth A.F. B.17's flew from, in action,...... you've only got to look at the A.D. marking on the tail........

Triangle = 1st Air Division = Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire county......& (only) Ridgewell, in Essex..... (the other Essex county bases being used by the 9th A.F. Medium Bombers..... i.e. B.26 Marauders & A.20 Boston/Havoc's .

Square = 3rd Air Division = Norfolk & Suffolk bases only

The Circle = 2nd A.D. bases, were the same area as above, but equipped only with B.24 Liberators.

[flyXwire]

Originally Posted by Hornchurch

No way, Jose - swoop

I'll never forget 'Bit O' Lace'.....the first ever B.17 I ever learnt about (back in the late 'sixties, when I bought & made the 1/72nd Airfix model (plastic kit), with the transfer-sheet that had that lovely nose-art.....
(1960's transfer-sheet = decals, in the '90's & 'noughties).

As 'Bit O' Lace' flew with the 447th B.G. from Rattlesden, in the county where I live (Norfolk)...... she wouldn't have been included in the discussion, on topic........ as those B.17's are from the 303rd B.G. from Molesworth in Cambridgeshire, a county to our lower-left, geographically speaking.

For the un-initiated, a great way (& easy identifier) to tell which region (& Air-Division) these Eighth A.F. B.17's flew from, in action,...... you've only got to look at the A.D. marking on the tail........

Triangle = 1st Air Division = Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire county......& (only) Ridgewell, in Essex..... (the other Essex county bases being used by the 9th A.F. Medium Bombers..... i.e. B.26 Marauders & A.20 Boston/Havoc's .

Square = 3rd Air Division = Norfolk & Suffolk bases only

The Circle = 2nd A.D. bases, were the same area as above, but equipped only with B.24 Liberators.

I heartily concur with Hornchurch's info given above. I will also recommend getting this book from the Histoire & Collections series of books. It has alot of details and backgrounds given about 8th AF Heavy Bomb Groups "Order Of Battle", May 1945. Book is filled/packed with period photographs as well as bomber crews actual flying kit and equipment - great reference for 1/6 scale figure bashers.

[jim]

Hi Hornchurch, do you have any info about B17s flying out of Snetterton around 1944. I am doing a little research and you could save me some library time if you can start me off in the right direction.