Need skins for a group in England that wants to honor a B-17

[cody1947]

I am no computer whiz nor do I know about these items. I was directed here by someone who claims to have an idea. What I am needing is some type of prints for a township in England that has set aside a small portion of their civic center to honor a B-17 and it's crew. This Aircraft was apart of a mid-air collision just a few days after the end of WWII.  Once I got an E-mail from someone a few years ago that had used some of my photos as a guide to make what he called skins. It was for some type of game he played. They were very well done & had a Hi-res look that I turned into posters. This is what this group is wanting for the walls around their displays of photos of the Crew and pieces of the B-17. Is there someone out there that would like to assist me in doing the same for them.

[HornetUK]

I am currently working on a High Res B-17 for AH. I may be able to help, I say maybe as I would like more information about what you are looking for first to know what I am getting my self into? Do you have pictures etc?

[cody1947]

We have no photos of this aircraft but we do know all of the markings and where they went based off of photos of her sister ships. She was a NMF- Natural Metal Finish Silver Queen. A B-17G model assigned to the 379th BG. She saw less than 50 combat missions and had very few repairs due to Combat Damage. This accident took place just after the V-E Day Celebrations had started. They were on a sight seeing tour ferrying the Ground Personnel to various sites in England when the incident occurred. The Mid-air collision damage one of her sister ships (which returned to base) and sent her plummeting into a small village on the English coast Killing all 11 Airmen on board. 

[HornetUK]

Don't know if there is enough information to make a skin for Aces High really!

[cody1947]

May I inquire as to what is needed? We have photos of sister ships but the Markings would be different on this one but in the same place.

[HornetUK]

a Providence to prove that the aircraft existed and what it looked like, pictures of nose art etc... You can't just make it up.

You never said when you will be needing this by?

[cody1947]

Well I may not have been totally clear on this. The aircraft did exist and we have a photo of the nose with the crew but we don't have a full shot showing the tail section and fuselage area where there are markings Identifying the Bomb Squadron and Bomb Group but we know what the markings are for these details and where they go based off of her sister ships from that era.

[HornetUK]

ok so what are the marking on the train and side meant to be like?

when does this have to be finished by??????????????????????????

[cody1947]

I'll send more photos with more details of the paint scheme but this ship shown here had the markings correct except 44-8198 was not OD painted ecept around the engine cowling. She also would not have the aircraft letter H on the Fuselage; only  under the Triangle "K" on the tail.

This aircraft was Serial Number 44-8198 with the call sign (fuselage code) was LF-H

The Nose you already can see from the other photo then going back along the fuselage would have been the star -  then the waist gunner's window - then the letters  LF  - the H would be under the Triangle "K" the Serial number of course would be 44-8198 in the bottom yellow trim of the triangle.

The exhibit for the Aircraft & crew is open all year. There will be a ceremony marking the anniversary of the collision on 11 May of this year but the folks who are organizing the event says there's no time limit.

[cody1947]

This is how the tail section would look except that the letters and serial number would be those of Aircraft number 44-8198 discussed in the earlier post

[cody1947]

I almost forgot to point out the number in the top of the triangle. On the sample there is a 1 at the top of the triangle but 44-8198 would have a 3 there. She used to be in the same Squadron as "Swamp Fire and at one time had a 1 there  and a Call sign of WA-Z but she was transferred just before the war's end to the 526th BS which all had a 3 in the top of the triangle and their call signs were LF-H.

[HornetUK]

Good there is no time limit as I already have a number of requests for b-17s so it could be a few months before I get round to it!

[HornetUK]

I seem to be getting there soon than I thought I would. Now do want he bashed up or nice and sharp and new looking. The choice is your?

[HornetUK]

here is mock up of her so far

[cody1947]

I believe they will love this. I'll send them a copy of this (if you have no problem with that) and get back to you as soon as they reply.