PGB

Sorry, there should have been a link in my previous post: www.belcherbits.com

Image of the kit now on the BB homepage. :)

Looks good. :) One thing I ought to mention, the M5 should have four bomb rails, not just three.

I'll take that as a no then... ;) Although it's still not listed on the BB website, I'm informed that the first production run has already sold out, and another run is on the way.

Has anyone managed to get hold of the new Belcher Bits 1/72 Thor missile and launch mount kit?

Is this photo any use? All the best, PB

Concur with Karl's statement, certainly by autumn 1944 the radio room aft door had a mesh screen, between 9"x9" and a foot square, with poppered canvas covers, the canvas being fixed at the lower edge. The removal of the radio room doors was by no means universal though, and interior photos of a particular subject, if available, would need to be consulted. All the best, PB

I know the group build has long finished, but the 2nd Strategic Air Depot (Alconbury) records finally turned up today, and contained this entry for future reference: 16th August 1944 PB

The drawing came out a tad fuzzy, and the image can be misleading, but the standard dimensions written on it are correct: Pan: 75' Rad. Approach spur width: 50' Approach spur "flare" width at taxiway edge: 150' Approach spur "flare" centreline length from taxiway edge: 50' minimum, 75' normal Maximum gradient and/or crossfall on dispersal: 1:80 Maximum gradient and/or crossfall on taxiway and dispersal spur: 1:40 Minimum distance from centreline of Taxiway to centre of dispersal: 150' Minimum distance from edge of concrete for ground to be prepared for possible aircraft movement: 30'

It would appear to be a Clark Equipment Co. "Clarkat B". All the best, PB

The "Frying Pan" type dispersals for a Class A Bomber Airfield were 150' dia. Runways were 150' wide and the perimiter taxiways and dispersal approaches were 50' wide. All the best, PB

A few more... Vega block 25 B-17G stencil with 100 octane fuel decal: Boeing block 40 B-17G stencil: Boeing block 40 B-17G decal & stencil: Douglas block 35 B-17G Decal with individual numbers: All the best, Paul

Boeing late-production stencil: Douglas decals:

No chance I'll make the deadline now I'm afraid, the foil adhesive I needed is still stuck in the post. Ah well, Snooper will get finished eventually...

Nice work Bruce. :) Here she is after a landing accident at Deenethorpe on the 18th February 1945: B-17G-25-VE 42-97636 Assigned 94CBW (401BG's parent unit) as PFF aircraft (H2X bombing radar replacing ball turret). Suffered Category 3 damage as a result of a landing accident 8th August 1944, Lt. William C. Mannix (613th Squadron) flying. Aircraft repaired and brought back into service. Allocated 401BG 615BS IY-H 26th August 1944. Suffered Category 3 damage as a result of a landing accident 18th February 1945, Capt. Paul E. Campbell (615th Squadron Operations Officer) flying. Aircraf