This new decal
sheet from Mike
Grant Decals
includes markings for one B-17G.
If you buy the 1/48 decal sheet, you get bonus markings for the P-38 "Miss
Virginia". This decal sheet is a silk screened just like other decals
and is not an ALPS printed decal sheets such as some of the limited release Mike
Grant decals.
This
sheet features a famous B-17G from WW2.
The aircraft is #42-38050 and had the name “Thunderbird” and
eventually flew 112 missions with the 359th BS / 303rd BG.
The name “Thunderbird” derives from a Native
American symbol for luck and was chosen by Pilot Vern L. Moncur.
The artwork was drawn by James S. Andus, Radio Operator on the
Thunderbird crew in January 1944.
A variety of American and Canadian squadrons and crews adopted North
American Native symbols and names for their squadrons and individual planes.
The First Nations symbols were an identity that was purely North
American. As
time went by, “Thunderbird” became a first mission ship, which meant it was
a plane used by new crews on their first mission.
The idea was to give the new crews good luck.
Thunderbird was definitely a lucky ship, because no regular crewmember
was ever injured on a “Thunderbird” mission.
Thunderbird had staggered waist guns, so you’ll have to check and
possibly correct this feature depending on which kit you choose.
The
paint scheme is Olive drab on top and Neutral gray on the underside.
This particular B-17 arrived in England in bare metal and was
hastily painted without primer, so by wars end she was a heavily weathered
bird.
The
decals on the 1/48 example before me are contained on 2 decal
sheets…..the B-17 is a big plane and the red triangle on the tail
dominates the larger decal sheet.
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