Scratch Building a B-17G Tail Gunner tribute

[TemplarX007]

Multi-engine Bomber Build {Donavon Mach = TemplarX007}

1/10 Scale

B-17G

398th BG 601st Squadron

Aircraft# 43-38730 3O-R

I found out about this group build right before it started, so I knew I couldn't start right away. Hope my late entry is ok.

Here's the story with what I'm building. It's a SCRATCH BUILD in 1/10th scale of one of the B-17's that my uncle flew in during WWII as a "Tail Gunner". It has been argued by some as the most important gunnery position on the B-17. Lots of enemy pilots prefered the attack from the trailing position. It was also the most lonely position ,(all the way to the back of the plane, to get there you needed to be part spelunker), save maybe the "Ball Turret Gunner".

My build is focusing on the "Tail Gunner" and showing that it was lonely back there. With only armor placed between the twin 50's and the Tail Gunner with NO armor on the sides, top, or bottom.

In the corner of my pic you can see a small mockup of a B-17G passing through clouds and the Tail Gunner is out there all alone.


I know that 1/10 Scale is going to make a very large model and display but I want folks to be able to see the Tail Gunner in there manning his guns and doing his job. All alone.

I have a photo of my Uncle's crew taken on Feb 20th 1945. They were about to head to Nurnberg Germany. He has the look on his face that says to me, "Let's just get in the plane and get this done!"

S/Sgt. Jack Dodson, Tail Gunner
398th BG 601st Squadron

On this mission his plane flew in the Lead Squadron, right Element.


I plan to airbrush all the markings of his plane. No name for the plane has turned up in my research. I guess not all planes were named. I read that sometimes the ground crews with paint names on the engines of the planes. They spent so much time with those engines it makes since that they would name them too.

I hope this build qualifies for entry. If it doesn't I understand, it's not a box or a whole plane build, just from back of the Rear Gunners ports to the tip of the Tail Gunners 50's.

If anyone has a web link that has HD pics of the tail end of a B-17G I'd appreciate the link. I'd like to place the panel lines and rivets in the right places if at all possible. In 1/10th Scale it'll be easier than most scales. I'm just not lucky enough to have access to a real B-17G to take my own pictures.

Uncle Jack is in the back row, second from the end on the right.

[Avgas]

What a great idea and a nice tribute. I have some close up shots of the tail gunner's position on a B17 if you haven't seen them http://www.intscalemodeller.com/viewtop ... 49&t=20222.

He has the look on his face that says to me, "Let's just get in the plane and get this done!"

Definitely not in the mood for a photo at that particular time! Can't say I blame him.

[TemplarX007]

Thanks for the link! I'll be flashing some of those pics up on the big screen to study panel lines and rivet patterns.

[SprueSurgeon]

That's going to be HUGE! cannot wait to see how it turns out, there is a link on my entry to a walk around a B17-G which happens to be what I'm building only in a smaller 1/72nd. I know there are a few variants on the trail gunners position, so it may be a bit of a headache figuring out what the correct one was, especially if you want it as authentic as possible. Someone's bound to see a screw out of place or the wrong shade of green!

[SprueSurgeon]

What a great idea and a nice tribute. I have some close up shots of the tail gunner's position on a B17 if you haven't seen them http://www.intscalemodeller.com/viewtop ... 49&t=20222.

I think you must of moved your pictures or something because they are no longer showing up, well i def could not see them.

[Avgas]

I have a periodic clear out of Photobucket so I still have some room left for other stuff.

[chops1sc]

If your caricature avatar is you I can see resemblance even through that. Awesome tribute and I can't wait for more!

[Kevthemodeller]

I think linking things to real life and people really enhances the message, in this case your family.

Many of us some possibly without even knowing had long gone family members or relatives who fought in WW2 or WW1 some of us are old enough to have known them. What always amazes me is just how young there (early 20's) were and what they did. I mean flying or in bombers like your uncle did in close formations, close enough that wouldn't be allowed today even with all the gizmos they have and face the onslaught of countless other young men trying to stop them in daylight with at first horrendous losses.

I'd like to mention (if I may) our RAF who flow at night in tight formations without any night aids at all in the beginning, these guys didn't get any recognition until very recently. They instead were branded killers, I don't know if that was the same for the US bombers crews?

They all did an amazingly brave job knowing that in most cases the odds were stacked against them.

I'm very much looking forward to your build

[Twokidsnosleep]

This is gonna be really cool
Love to hear more of what happened to your uncle as the build unfolds