Your T-28 is beautifully done. Your paint job is really sharp and superbly done. I really the idea of your project. Very cool. So, what other aircraft are involved in your comprehensive build. Thanks for sharing your build.

Very nicely built T-28, looks great, even though yellow is my least favorite color!

Cheers,

Martin : )

Thanks, y'all! Joe, the short list includes a B-17 for the Halls, TN base, a PT-17 for the Jackson, TN base, a B-52 for Blytheville, AR, and most likely a C-17 for the Memphis ANG unit. There were several types operated by the ANG and the naval base at Millington, and I might add some of those later. There were three other primary training bases in the area in the early '40's, but no pictures have turned up on the planes that were stationed there, which is a shame, because some P-40's were said to have been stationed there as well.

Martin, I am in total agreement about yellow....

Glenn

Started the second build which is the Dyersburg, TN based B-17. Found out that the very first "F" model built by Boeing was there in 1945, minus the turrets and squadron colors on the cowls. Most sources say that it crashed in Washington state in '43,  testing the Tokyo tanks for Boeing,  but it ain't so. I kind of played around keeping the interior dark, and am now plugging the lower turret opening up. I hope to make progress and finish by December.

Great models. My old friend Airman Jim flew in C-124's for the TN ANG.

Very nicely done!

Toshi

Lovin your T-28. Really pretty in those colors.  Ive built the Heller T-28 before and yes, the landing gear assembly can be a pain.

Thank you for the kind words. Stik, that may have been a Memphis bird as they flew 130s until the late 80s, early 90s.

well it looked just like this one... 

'except they had the side doors open to get rid of us in flight without the courtesy of stopping off somewhere on the ground... 

Heh:  "Y'all get out of my airplane, NOW!"

Yep, I'll be watching this one.  My Dad was stationed at Blytheville around 1956-57 time, where he met my Mom.  It'll be interesting to see what you build from there.  :-)

Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas

Blytheville was originally a training base during World War II.  Might have been twin engines for transition to bombers and cargo aircraft (don't recall).  Several fields in NE Arkansas were built as alternate landing locations as well.   Closed after the war and reopened in the 50s with Martin B-57s.  Don't recall when SAC came, but it hosted B-52G's with Hound Dogs and later some of the first cruise missile equipped G models.  In addition they had a KC-135.  Used to spend some time in the area on business and the local library had some historical articles/books on the base history.   Have been planning for years to do a 1/144 B-52G in the chrome dome scheme with the Hound Dog missiles.  Being close to Memphis, they have had a few B-52s named Memphis Belle II and maybe III.

If your Golden Circle extends to Walnut Ridge, the base there was also a training base and was used as an aircraft disposal site after the war.  Rows upon rows of aircraft waiting to be sold to scrappers including a large number of B-32 Dominators that apparently went almost straight from the factory to Walnut Ridge for disposal.

Your post caught my attention as I was stationed on Guam in 89-90 and have actually worked on I think it was Memphis Belle II. Was with the 43rd FMS at the time. My eyes lit up when I saw the nose art on her. Loving your builds and what you have lined up. Looking forward to seeing them progress.

Fantastic looking build,the yellow is perfect.

What a cool project!  I remember the rows of C130s that used to fly South of Olive Branch on weekends when I was a kid.  It was a real treat to see (and hear) those beasts fly over the house.

dhenning

 

Blytheville was originally a training base during World War II.  Might have been twin engines for transition to bombers and cargo aircraft (don't recall).  Several fields in NE Arkansas were built as alternate landing locations as well.   Closed after the war and reopened in the 50s with Martin B-57s.  Don't recall when SAC came, but it hosted B-52G's with Hound Dogs and later some of the first cruise missile equipped G models.  In addition they had a KC-135.  Used to spend some time in the area on business and the local library had some historical articles/books on the base history.   Have been planning for years to do a 1/144 B-52G in the chrome dome scheme with the Hound Dog missiles.  Being close to Memphis, they have had a few B-52s named Memphis Belle II and maybe III.

If your Golden Circle extends to Walnut Ridge, the base there was also a training base and was used as an aircraft disposal site after the war.  Rows upon rows of aircraft waiting to be sold to scrappers including a large number of B-32 Dominators that apparently went almost straight from the factory to Walnut Ridge for disposal.

 

Well, that's interesting.  My Dad was stationed in Blytheville in the mid-50s, and was part of the crew that worked on the Air Force certification/acceptance of the B-57.  Perhaps he did that work then and there.  He was quite fond of the B-57, even flying them in Viet Nam.  Of course that might have been just an opportunty to get out of flying the O1 as a FAC!!  Still, he always spoke fondly of the '57.

Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas

Don't want to take over my neighboring state's thread, but pulled out a book that you might be interested in Gene.  "Martin B-57 Canberra: The Complete Record" (Schieffer Military History)  "It was the 461st Bomb Group (Tactical) that was the first to be fully equipped with the new bombers.  After receiving their first B-57Bs in January 1955, at Hill AFB, Ogden, Utah, this unit moved to its new home at Blytheville AFB, Arkansas, over a period from July 1955 to April 1956."  I'd have to pull another reference to find out when TAC moved out and SAC moved in with the B-52s.   Highly recommend the book for anyone interested in the B-57.

 Mississippipivol,

  Have seen the photos of the B-52G with the Razorback on the tail and have been tempted to build that one as well.   Good luck with your project!

No worries about a takeover! I appreciate the information. If I get the primary builds done, I'd like to fill in the individual bases some more as they were active for awhile. Got the B-17 fuselage together, will get a pic up after the turret deletes are finished.

Finally got to do some work on her. Wings are about ready to go on and the turrets are covered. It will look like the one in the background, but I need to verify the cheek window  arrangement.

dhenning

Don't want to take over my neighboring state's thread, but pulled out a book that you might be interested in Gene.  "Martin B-57 Canberra: The Complete Record" (Schieffer Military History)  "It was the 461st Bomb Group (Tactical) that was the first to be fully equipped with the new bombers.  After receiving their first B-57Bs in January 1955, at Hill AFB, Ogden, Utah, this unit moved to its new home at Blytheville AFB, Arkansas, over a period from July 1955 to April 1956."  I'd have to pull another reference to find out when TAC moved out and SAC moved in with the B-52s.   Highly recommend the book for anyone interested in the B-57.

 Mississippipivol,

  Have seen the photos of the B-52G with the Razorback on the tail and have been tempted to build that one as well.   Good luck with your project!

 

 

I know we have a book on B57's around here somewhere, I just can't put my fingers on it at the moment.  I know my Dad had one.  I remember seeing some pictures from 'Nam of some pretty-battle-damaged birds that made it back home.  One missing most of a horizontal stabilizer, the other with a huge flak hole in one of the wings just outboard of the engine.  Scary stuff.  I'll have to look around a bit for it, since I have a B-57 kit in my stash. 

Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas

Very cool! Always great to see another B-17 here. Looking forward to seeing her all done up. 

Got no2 done. This is the first B-17F that rolled off Boeing's line. It was mistaken for another plane that crashed in Washington state in 1943, but was in fact in Dyersburg, TN as late as 1945 before being scrapped. This is the ROG 1.72 "F" kit with the turrets blocked out as it was pictured, otherwise box stock.

I thought you had the Fort on a grille. lol

Nice work on the B-17 sir!

I'm new to the forum so haven't seen this thread before. The B-17 looks great, but I'm especially taken with your T-28. That is really nice 

Very nice addition to your collection there! She looks even more sleek without the turrets.