Kostucha Posted February 14, 2011 Author Share Posted February 14, 2011 Excellent pictures, of an amazing bomber with an incredible story. Thanks again! Mark. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bigasshammm Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 Awesome pics. They seem to have done a hell of a job restoring it already. Every time I think I have something painted right something else comes along and shows me I'm wrong. GRrrr Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shawn M Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 *there's always something more* you mean like my curtains you all made fun of me for? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kostucha Posted February 14, 2011 Author Share Posted February 14, 2011 Remember, in this hobby it doesn't matter if we're laughing at you, or with you... what matters is that we're laughing! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shawn M Posted February 15, 2011 Share Posted February 15, 2011 so true Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shawn M Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 Found these over on FSM: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTNPrc_PfIQ...ayer_detailpage Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shawn M Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 some great stuff in this video for you cutaway mega detail folks: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shawn M Posted February 18, 2011 Share Posted February 18, 2011 I found this fascinating! its amazing how far Turbo technology has come. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
100th BG Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 While Mark is detailing his radio compartment oxygen equipment, I thought I would take a moment to point out there were two different oxygen systems used in the B-17. The constant flow system was used through the mid F series so it was installed in the Memphis Belle. This is the system that used those rubber bladders like we remember Gregory Peck breathing into in "Twelve O'Clock High". The system: The regulator: The demand system used the bigger hose and the bigger round regulator: The demand system also had a pressure gauge and a blinker which showed the system was working: Just in case anybody wants to know... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kostucha Posted February 20, 2011 Author Share Posted February 20, 2011 Great info Karl! *Taking notes... taking notes... taking notes...* Quote Link to post Share on other sites
100th BG Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 I visited this airplane some time before Steve did as the glass was not yet installed in the nose. So here are a few more pictures although not of the quality we have come to expect from Mr. Nelson! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steve N Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 Great stuff, Karl! The nose was the one area I couldn't get decent pics of. Mostly because of the mannequins. SN Quote Link to post Share on other sites
100th BG Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 Too bad they are so dark. A disadvantage of film cameras - you don't know what you have until they are developed! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
100th BG Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 Too bad they are so dark. A disadvantage of film cameras - you don't know what you have until they are developed! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
100th BG Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 (edited) I found some more pictures of a top turret. This one is on display at the 390th BG Museum inside the Pima Museum. The turret itself was pretty much the same for the E, F, and most G's with the only real change being the dome. There was another turret installed in very late G's like the one in "Sentimental Journey" and "Shoo Shoo Shoo Baby" but I have been unable to determine if they actually made it to combat. I believe the one is SSSB is not correct for the airplane. Edited February 27, 2011 by 100th BG Quote Link to post Share on other sites
100th BG Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 More details: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
robtmelvin Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 Absolutely fantastic stuff. Many thanks to both of you! Those photos will be very helpful to me working up my two Memphis Belles. Working with those photos and the information I've gotten specifically on the Belle from Karl and others will, I hope, let me get her paint scheme more accurately represented and give me some great information for such scratch building as my limited skills and talent will allow. I feel like somebody has just handed me the keys to the candy store! Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kostucha Posted February 22, 2011 Author Share Posted February 22, 2011 Karl, You just answered ALL my questions with this post. This with the other information is everything I need for the top turret. Cheers! Mark. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shawn M Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 ok, so I had an idea this morning. How were the RAF's fortresses painted for delivery to the UK? In the "Aircraft of the 100th BG" book there is a pic of one showing overpainted US markings. Were they surplus airframes or new builds? Could also be much like all the other Fortress III's that each one was different. I may need to do another kit as a diorama showing the conversion to a Fortress 3! I'd use the new tooling 1/72 kit or another 1/48 kit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bigasshammm Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 (edited) I think they pretty much went straight from the factory to the RAF up until America really got into things then their number dwindled. At that point I think they may have given them leftovers already in theater but not sure on that. I just read in one of my books about that so I'll have to look through and see which one. I think from the factory they were camouflaged but the RAF added the black underneath I believe. I may be way off though and pulling things out of my arse. I just shoveled 9 more inches of snow out of my driveway and am really innervated right now. On a side note for the turrets can you imagine how loud it would be with your head in that dome? OMG. Edited February 22, 2011 by Bigasshammm Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shawn M Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 i'll have to re-read the chapter in 100th BG book, I think they discuss it. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mungo1974 Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 I seem to recall reading somewhere maybe Martin Streetly's Confound & Destroy?...that early 100 Group Fortresses (late B-17F's/early B-17G's) came from 8th AF units. I believe the later Fortress III's were picked from from stocks held at Burtonwood,by mid '44 there was no shortage of brand new B-17's there. All the equipment changes were done here in the Uk,as we already know it seems there wasn't any standard fit when it came to 100Group aircraft. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mungo1974 Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 Guys, Anyone one know what colour the Higgins liftboats were on WW2 Vintage B-17H's? Obviously postwar SB-17G's were yellow,but i can't find much on the early WW2 conversions. Since i don't think i'm ever gotta get time to do my 1/48 kit,i'm thinking of doing a quick 'n dirty 1/72 kit...and got thinking about maybe doing one of the 4 B-17H's used by the 5th ERS at Halesworth in April'45 as something alittle different. These birds were all combat veterans from other Bomb Groups declared surplus that were patched up and comverted. So anyone got any info or best guess. Cheers Gary Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kostucha Posted February 23, 2011 Author Share Posted February 23, 2011 Should have been Yellow as well as far as I can tell. That being said, I couldn't tell you what shade or tone of yellow. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shawn M Posted February 23, 2011 Share Posted February 23, 2011 I seem to recall reading somewhere maybe Martin Streetly's Confound & Destroy?...that early 100 Group Fortresses (late B-17F's/early B-17G's) came from 8th AF units. I believe the later Fortress III's were picked from from stocks held at Burtonwood,by mid '44 there was no shortage of brand new B-17's there. All the equipment changes were done here in the Uk,as we already know it seems there wasn't any standard fit when it came to 100Group aircraft. would these have been NMF or OD/Grey? I need a copy of that book it would seem. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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