For the paint job, I used Model
Master enamels. Rather than preshading, I opted to post shade and I'm
really happy with the effect. To lend some visual interest, the starboard
wing tip was painted a totally different shade. B-17's often had these
panels replaced from parts of another plane, and the paint rarely matched.
To chip the paint, I let the OD coat dry for about an hour, then carefully
placed masking tape over the area I wanted to be chipped, and yanked the tape
away. I prefer this method over adding silver paint afterward, because in
essence it really is chipped paint.
Click on
images below to see larger images
|
|
|
|
As mentioned in part
1, this is a model of my Grandfather's plane. So, I had to come up with
the nose art and serial number myself. His bomber was named "War
Cry" and to replicate this I first sprayed the nose area the
base color. Then I took some sticky letters and tacked them in place, then
sprayed the OD coat, then peeled up the letters. Easy! The
"Square G" on the tail was done the same way. The serial number
came from my spare decal stash, luckily I was able to find enough matching
numbers to get it right. In doing my research, I actually talked to the
tail gunner on the phone (Mr. Chester Beres, the only surviving crew member I
could find). Mr. Beres wasn't quite sure about the nose art, but mentioned
it probably had a girl of some sort on it. So I took a bit of artistic
license, and with a name like "War Cry", thought an Indian woman would
look appropriate. Mike Grant came to my rescue and provided me with the
decal. Unfortunately, no picture exists (that I know of) of this
plane, other than just a very small portion of it in the crew member's picture.
The spinning prop effect are
photoetch parts made by Prop Blur. At first I wasn't sure if I'd like
them, but after painting them and putting them on the model, I'm quite happy
with the way they look.
Landing lights and formation lights
are MV lenses. The landing gear had to be repositioned for in flight,
which was made easy by using the Verlinden parts. Weathering was achieved
mostly with the paint job. The exhaust staining was done with pastels, and
the smoke and oil leaks from damage was done with a heavy application of black
pastel.
Click on
images below to see larger images
|
|
|
|
The base is made up with a
picture of the crew, a list of their names, and the 385th Bomb Group patch,
the 548th Bomb Squadron patch, and the Eighth Air Force patch. My
Grandfather (Theo R Harris) passed away when I was 11. I unfortunately
never really got to talk to him about his wartime experiences. In doing
my research, I have talked with people all over the world, and have amassed a
mountain of paperwork. It has been an incredible journey for me. This
model is a tribute not only to him, but to all men who fought and sacrificed
for our freedom. Papa, I hope you're looking down and are smiling at my
small piece of appreciation.
Kelly
Click on
images below to see larger images
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1/48
Revell B-17F Part 1
|
1/48
Revell B-17F Part 2 |
by Kelly
Quirk
|
by Kelly
Quirk |
|
|