Mighty 8th GB 1-Nov-2010 - 31-Oct-2011

Hi, Bish:

It's not the "bit o' lace."  I had that back in 1967, in junior high model club, and didn't have much success with it.  The current Airfix seems to be a rebox of the Academy/Minicraft B-17G, and comes with decals for "Flak Bait" and "Fever Beaver."

It includes both the standard Boeing and Cheyenne tail turrets, so you can choose between them--a definite advantage.  I got mine from Canada through ebay, and I'm not sure how available they were in the US.  Last time I looked at the Airfix website they weren't currently in production.

I have some aftermarket decals to look through before I decide what specific craft I'll build.

Thanks Bish! I have the Glacier Girl P-38, but I'd like to build another one before I built that one so I know what to expect. I did find a droopsnoop one on ebay with an extra sheet of decals that has 8th AF markings so if its still there friday when I get paid I'm thinking of getting it.

Afraid i can't answer the question, but until you mentioned it, i hadn't thought of P-38's being in the 8th. I just had a look and seems a few did have before switching to P-51's. I hope you can get a P-38.If i come across anything i will let you know.

Does anyone know if any of the Academy P-38s have 8th AF decals that come with them?

Glad you have been able to get those marking in the scale you wanted. Odd how all the other scales seemed easier to get hold of when 1/48th seems the most popular. Will look forward to watching your build.

Oh happy day!

Fingers crossed that my Sprue Brothers shipment arrived as well. I'm itching to try Mr Surfacer 1200 as a primer.

Bob, will be a pleasure building with you again mate!!!

Bob Welcome aboard. Theres plenty of time, and i can't wait to see the builds, should be a good one.

redraider56  Glad to have a B-24 on board, and a Norfolk one at that. I was thinking i might have to switch to one of my B-24's. And Hethal is a good one as its one of the bases still in use, though not by aircraft.

Welcome aboard guys.

Ok NOW I'm in lol.

This build is too good to pass up so I'm gonna go to the LHS tomorrow with the intention of bringing home Revell's 1/48 B-24D.

Markings will be for "Fightin Sam"  566th BS, 389th BG based at Hethel, Norfolk

Bish-Please add me to the list.  I'll be building a 1/48 Tamiya P-47D Razorback.  Not sure who's plane yet, but I'll let you know when I decide.

Thanks & I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's builds.

Cheers

Bish

No problem. Its a pity, would be nice to get a B-26 in. Well, theres plenty of time, if you decide you want to jump in later with somthing, your more than welcome.

I realize now that all B-26s in the 8th were transferred over to the 9th in 1943.

As of rightnow now I dont have anything else for this GB but I am seriously considering buying a P-47...

No problem. Its a pity, would be nice to get a B-26 in. Well, theres plenty of time, if you decide you want to jump in later with somthing, your more than welcome.

My bad on the 1/48 B-26.   I realized after I said that that it will be in 9th  AF markings.  Sorry!

Will do red. Is that the Revell kit you have in your sig. Do you know what markings it will carry.

I would join this build but my B-17 project is already well under way

Great link, thanks alot. Got an article on the Belle as well. And its odd how shoo shoo baby landed in Sweden but was then found in France.

I am hopeing to get in a visit to Duxford next week. If i do i will get some pics posted.

Wabashwheels

Count me in, but oh the choices!  I'm a Don Gentile guy, so I'll probably do his P-47D "Donnie Boy".  It will be either the 1/48 Hasegawa or 1/48 Tamiya Razorback.  Gentile was the top ETO Ace (I think), flying with the 4th Fighter Group, 336th squadron out of Debden.  If I get going really good, there are a couple other 4th Fighter Group birds that I'd enjoy sharing.  Thanks, Rick.

Just finished up Gentile's P-51B "Shangri-La" a few weeks back...I know he was the top ETO ace as of March '44, when he wrecked S-L while hooning for some reporters and subsequently got sent back to the states for a war bond tour. Not sure if he kept the top ace status all the way through the war, though...

Check out the web site of the National Museum of the US Air Force.  They do a fair job ob updating of their restoration projects.  The"Memphis Belle" and the "Swoose", the oldest and only surviving B-17D are both midstream in their restoration process.  The museum has a program on Fridays where they take a tour through the restoration facility.  The tour is an up close and hands on (they won't let you get too friendly) walk through the facility.  It is a great opportunity to look at all kinds of projects rivet by rivet.  It is amazing to see the detail and care that these artisans work with.  Right now the two B-17s are in pieces being worked on.  You'll never get a better look at a B-17 up close, inside and out.  You need to preregister for the tours.  They are worth the trip.

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=12773

WOW lol!!! Guess what? Shoo Shoo Baby and the Belle are now together, or will be once the restoration of 'Belle is complete. She is currently being restored to an MMMPH of flying condition at the USAF Museum, Dayton, Ohio. She was moved there in '04 or '05.

WOW, now thats deffinatly something to keep hold of. So where is the Belle now, i didn't realise she had been moved.

Speaking of Basingbourn, in case anyone is woundering, the B-17 on the badge is Shoo Shoo Baby, also from the 91st BG.

Thanks for the warm Bish!!! I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Col. Morgan in person at a book signing  at Robins AFB, Georgia in the late '90s!!! I have an autographed copy of 'The Memphis Belle-Home at last by Menno Duerksen.

Also had the pleasure of meeting the Belle herself whilst she was still in Memphis.

Glad to have you. I was hopeing someone would opt for this. Not just because its the Belle, but also because i did my Army training at Bassingborn back in 90-91. We used to go for runs round the old perimeter tarck and the gym was in one of the hangers. So thank you for joining.

OH BOY!!!!! My eyes lit up when I saw the heading for this GB!!!! Not starting till November will give me a bit of leeway to try and get a few other things done first. I AM IN!!!

My build will hold me to the upmost of standards just for the plane that she is to do her justice. I'm in with Academy's 1/72 "Memphis Belle". 324th BS, 91st BG, 8th AF, Bassingbourn.

Was looking for the perfect excuse to build her. Well done Bish!!!!!!!!

Steven Thats a good idea on the date. I knew you guys did it the other way round i just didn't think about it when i typed it out.

John I will put you down but leave it open as to which one.

Mike I was sure at least one person here would have had a relative who was with the 8th. Do you know where he was based. I know most B-24 unit where in Norfolk, but there were some in other places.

checkmateking02 Is that a newer Airfix B-17 or the older one with the markings for 'A bit o lace'

Welcome aboard to all of you, i will add you all to the list. There is plenty of time to decide exactly what you want to build.

Count me in, but oh the choices!  I'm a Don Gentile guy, so I'll probably do his P-47D "Donnie Boy".  It will be either the 1/48 Hasegawa or 1/48 Tamiya Razorback.  Gentile was the top ETO Ace (I think), flying with the 4th Fighter Group, 336th squadron out of Debden.  If I get going really good, there are a couple other 4th Fighter Group birds that I'd enjoy sharing.  Thanks, Rick.

I have a small stash of B-17's I've been meaning to get to, so I'd like to participate.  I'll have to check specifically, but I think it'll be Airfix's Flying Fortress, a re-issue of the Academy/Minicraft B-17G.

Aggieman

As for the group build, I can't resist.  Please put me down for a thus-far undetermined build.  I have several bombers (-17s and -24s) to choose from, but will probably go with a fighter, of which I have lots to choose from in my stash as well (Tamiya P-47D, old Revell 32-scale P-51B or P-47D, Monogram P-51D, P-47D, plus nearly every other 48 scale Monogram kit that would fit this GB.  Too many to choose from, really, but I'll eventually make up my mind.)

I'd love to see what you do with the Tamiya P-47. I've got a major soft spot for the Jug, and keep holding off buying one for the stash because I want a few kits under my belt so I can do it justice.

There's a beauty of a razorback I saw on the Y-29 episode of Dogfights that I want to build if I can ever find the markings. Olive drab fuselage with NMF wings and a chrome cowl ring. 

Well seeing as my grandfather served with the Mighty Eighth, you can count me in!

Planning on doing an Arii/Otaki P-47 and a Monogram P-47 in his honor despite the fact that he was a B-24 pilot.  I am sure that he wouldn't mind!

Thanks

Mike

I work for a company headquartered in Dublin.  As a Texan, it took me a while to acclimate to the date notation, and even after 4 years, I was still thrown off by your date format.  You might try using 1-Nov-2010 through 31-July-2011 which is how we date all of our internal documents.

As for the group build, I can't resist.  Please put me down for a thus-far undetermined build.  I have several bombers (-17s and -24s) to choose from, but will probably go with a fighter, of which I have lots to choose from in my stash as well (Tamiya P-47D, old Revell 32-scale P-51B or P-47D, Monogram P-51D, P-47D, plus nearly every other 48 scale Monogram kit that would fit this GB.  Too many to choose from, really, but I'll eventually make up my mind.)

Hi Bish ;

I have Tamiya's 1/72 scale P-51D Mustang ; 8th A.F. ACES

I'm pretty much committed to the Korean War Group build for the next 10 months but seeing I'll be putting together some more P-51D's in the not to distant future , I thought I could throw this Tamiya kit in at the same time .

There are 3 sets of great markings and it's hard to choose which option ;

1: Big Beautiful Doll , Col John D Landers 78th FG

2: Glamorous Glen III , Capt Charles E Yager 363rd FS , 357th FG

3: Old Crow , Capt Clarence Anderson , 362nd FS , 357th FG

I kinda like option 3: "Old Crow " with the Olive Drab over Neutral Gray scheme , so I kindly ask if I may join your Mighty 8th GB

                                  John .