The VIII Bomber Command was established in Jan 1942 and by the following month an advanced detachment had arrived in England to begin preparing for the arrival of combat units. The first misson over Europe took place in July with attacks in German airfields in the Netherlands.
In early 1944 there was a re-organisation of US Air Forces in Europe and VIII Bomber Command was re-designated 8th Air Force, with the VIII fighter and VIII Air Support Commands also coming under its control.
My first GB on this forum, in 2010, was dedicated to the 8th AAF in Europe in WW2. Now, to mark the 80th Anniversary, this GB will be open to builds on the 8th thrpoughout its history to the current day. The 8th has been in continuous service since its creation, elements served in Korea, Vietnam and in both campaigns against Iraq and Afghanistan. In WW2 its B-17's and B-24's helped to destroy German war production, and today, under the Air Force Global Strike command, it operated the USAF's B-1's, B-2's and B-52's. In between, it has operated a wide range of types, fighters, bombers, tankers and ICBM's.
So, this GB is dedicated to the 80 years of the Mighty 8th and is open to any subject belonging to the 8th Air Force. It can be an aircraft, bust, missile or even a ground vehicle that can be linked to the 8th.
The general rules are:
GB runs from 1st Jan 2022 until the 31st Dec 22.
Any subject in any scale, witrh or without AM, of any subject belonging or serving with the 8th.
Plenty of photo's, of course.
Cross overs allowed.
Partly started allowed, within reason.
Enjoy.
I have done 3 badges, please choose one and host with pride. For the first 2 i picked subjects based in Norfolk, as some may know i have an on going project to build subjects from all 37 military airfields in Norfolk, and the 8th AAF airfields are to found all over the county as well as the rest of East Anglia.
A B-24 from the 491st BG.
Next, P-51's of the 452nd FG based at Bodney. I especially like this one as the B-17's in the background are from the 447th BG based at Rattlesdon. Part of the runway and the old contol tower is still in use today by a glider club and its only a mile from my home.
And somthing a bit more up to date.
So, sign yourself up letting me know subject, scale and manufacturer and i'll get you on the roster and look forward to some very heavy metal.