HK 1/32 B-17G 96th BG/337th BS

[Dennis7423]

All-

Here she is, in all her splendor! I may still fiddle with the weathering a little, but I sure am pleased. I wasn't able to get her into work today for good photos, so I snapped a few outside in the overcast with an actual camera, rather than a cell phone.

 

I started this kit over 4 years ago, and its kind of sentimental to get this one done. She depicts my Grandfather's aircraft, 44-6888,  of the 96th BG/337th BS. Her crew unofficially named her "Ragged But Right". The war ended before nose art could be applied. My Grandfather, Joseph Denver, was a bombardier and completed 13 missions at the end of WWII. He first mission was in February of 1945, and he remained in Europe until 1946 as part of the occupation forces. He flew most of his missions in this plane,and that is why I chose to depict her.

This is the HK 1/32 B-17G, their initial release, with all of the bells and whistles from Eduard, Profimodeller, and some scratch building. She's airbrushed with AK Extreme Metals and Model Master enamels, and sports a combination of kit decals, Kits World, and custom J Bot Decals for the markings. Here's some photos:

 

DSC_3323 by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr

 

DSC_3324 by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr

 

DSC_3325 by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr

 

DSC_3326 by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr

 

DSC_3327 by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr

 

DSC_3328 by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr

 

DSC_3329 by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr

 

DSC_3336 by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr

 

DSC_3338 by Dennis SAuter, on Flickr

 

I wanted to close this post with the Eight Air Force's letter to St. Peter, which is quite sobering:

 

Let them in, Peter, they are so tired;

Give them the couches where the angels sleep.

Let them wake whole again to find new dawn fired with sun, not war.

And may their peace be deep.

Remember where the broken bodies lie...

And give them things they like. Let them make noise.

God knows how young they were to have to die!

Give swing bands, not gold harps, to these our boys.

Let them love, Peter - they have had no time -

Girls sweet as meadow wing, with flowering hair.

They should have trees and bird song, hills to climb -

Tell them how they are missed. Say not to fear;

It's going to be alright with us down here.

 

All always folks, comments and critiques are welcome. Thanks for tuning in.

 

- Dennis S.

  Thornton, CO USA

[chrish]

Whoooooo......that’s some beautiful work!

now I wanna build one, that’s inspired!

great job!!

[Troy Molitor]

Well done Dennis.  The Eight AF letter to St Peter is also a touching end to a great build.   Thanks for sharing your build with us.  Fantastic results.

 

Troy 

[aircare84]

Great build Dennis.

Thanks for sharing.

Wish I had the room to display one of these.

Larry

[LSP_Kevin]

Magnificent build, Dennis! May I publish this one on the website?

 

Kev

[D.B. Andrus]

Wonderful build, Dennis!!!

[Dennis7423]

1 hour ago, LSP_Kevin said:

Magnificent build, Dennis! May I publish this one on the website?

 

Kev

You sure can! I'd be honored to have my first publish to the website be this bird. Thanks Kev!

 

- Dennis S.

  Thornton, CO USA

[MikeMaben]

 

Super finish Dennis, patience/persistence has paid off .  

 

 

[Brett M]

Very impressive work and a great tribute build to your grand father.

[MikeC]

A superbly done Fort.  The metal finish is very effective - not too shiny, and some great weathering.  

[Gerhard]

Just brilliant. Now I want to take mine out of the stash and start. 

[Trak-Tor]

That's a great looking B-17 model!
Congratulations!

 

Juraj

[red Dog]

Great model. Compliments

 

I can't stop thinking how huge that model is Is that an adult chair on the left of that picture?

 

Wish I had the place to display it, I'd be all over this.

[R Palimaka]

It's majestic!

 

What a beautiful build, and the story behind it was moving and fascinating. Thanks for sharing all of it. It's been a pleasure to follow...and now you're done! Excellent work.

 

Richard

[Kagemusha]

11 hours ago, Troy Molitor said:

Well done Dennis.  The Eight AF letter to St Peter is also a touching end to a great build.   Thanks for sharing your build with us.  Fantastic results.

 

Troy 

 

Couldn't put it better myself.