"Little Patches" B-17G 91st BG 401st BS

[oboe]

Boeing B-17G-25-BO 91st BG 401st BS 42-381678 "Little Patches", RAF Bassingbourn, 1944

Click images for larger view


The name "Little Patches" was acquired after the aircraft's first combat mission, when flak put many splinters through the ship.  The damage was cosmetic but she required numerous small aluminum patches prompting pilot Lt William Major give her the name "Little Patches".

At least 34 different combat crews were assigned to "Little Patches" during her operational tour.  She was initially assigned to the 324th BS, but was transferred later to the 401st.  The first pilot to take the ship after it was assigned to the 401st BS was Sam Newton - immortalized in Ben Stiles' famous book "Serenade to the Big Bird".  Stiles later flew as co-pilot with John Green on 29 July 1944 to Leipzig when "Little Patches" took 20mm cannon hits and caught fire.   Forced out of formation, the crew struggled to keep the craft airborne.  With the fire put out, they were able to find their way back to Bassingbourn on their own.   "Little Patches" completed over 100 missions during her tour and returned to the U.S. after the War, where she was ultimately sold for scrap.





The nose art was painted by Sgt Tony Starcer, who was responsible for many of the 8th AF's colorful B-17 noses.  The work was inspired by "Net Results", an pin-up illustration by Gil Elvgren.

[Devil 505]

Beautiful job.

I personally think your OD green could stand to be a little darker, but adjusting it might throw off the contrast with the red on the tail and wingtips.

Food for thought.

[oboe]

Thank you!   

I feel really boxed in with this version of OD - I have so many color, noise, and dirt variation layers interacting and the blending seems really sensitive to even small adjustments.  It creates off-color blotches and does weird things to the color along the panel lines.   Next one I do, I think I will clean out many of the layers and start fresh.  One upside though to working with a lighter OD, especially for older/battle-worn aircraft, is it gives you more room for weathering effects and darker paint touchups/oversprays, grime, etc.   With a darker base, the grime affects don't stand out as much.

I'd still like to do a Fort with a darker, newer/cleaner look to the OD, and also one that has that more brown version of the drab.

<S>

[lyric1]

 

[FTJR]

Great skin Oboe.

[oboe]

Thank you guys.   Here's a B&W conversion of a screenshot, compared to a B&W photo of the actual aircraft (though before the tail ID was changed to a white triangle with a black code "A"). 





I'm aware of the misarrangement of the "LL" codes and Star and Bar insignia on the right side of the fuselage - this is due to the original subject being an earlier B-17 with the non-staggered waist gunner windows.   I tried to depict here as she would been shown if she was new enough to have the staggered waist gun windows.

[oboe]

A color image of her, looks to be actual WWII color:

Click for larger image



I'm not sure where we are with the skin batch for October; I thought the cutoff was last week, but no skins were released and I see Greebo has completed some additional updates, so perhaps this one can make it in to the next skin release? 

[Devil 505]

I called HiTech yesterday to remind him that there are skins ready to go. He told me he might be able to squeeze a release into this weeks schedule.

Submit this one ASAP, if you have not already and hopefully you'll slip it past the goalie.

[oboe]

Thanks, Devil.

I submitted it this morning, after a few minor tweaks, discovered in my final review.

I *think* Greebo must approve it before it goes to HiTech's process.  I'll message him and ask if he can expedite...

[SIK1]

Oboe, your B-17 skins are outstanding. 

 
Sik

[Vraciu]

Great work. 

I read “Serenade” as a kid.  I have it on my shelf here somewhere. 

[oboe]

Thanks guys   

[Greebo]

Great skin Oboe, looks just right.

I've now reviewed and accepted it. If anyone else finishes a new skin before Hitech processes this batch submit it, then PM me and I'll review it as well.

[Nefarious]

Great job Oboe!