This one has been rattling around in my head for years and its finally time to pull the trigger and do it. A little background first...
My grandfather was a B-17 pilot with the 303rd bomb group, aka the Hell's Angels. In 1944 he flew 33 combat missions over Europe. I have always wanted to build one of his planes, and earlier this summer I started talking with family about which one to do. We settled on one that he had fond memories of... a B-17G named 'Sweet Pea'.
My grandfather and his crew pictured with the 'Sweet Pea'. He is the second from the right in the back row.
A big part of this project is going to be researching the history of this airplane AND the history of my grandfather and his crew. Ultimately I want the finished model to depict the Sweet Pea as she looked the morning of their last mission. I'll be sharing what I learn and hope that this build can pay tribute to their bravery.
As for the build itself:
B-17G 1:9th scale
Wingspan: 138"
Length: 100"
Power: 4x 60 sized electric with scale 3 blade props. Likely 6s
AUW: TBD. Similar models are about 55lbs. I'm hoping for closer to 40lbs.
Planned features/extras:
This one will take quite a while to finish but I'm SO excited to finally be starting this one.
My grandfather was a B-17 pilot with the 303rd bomb group, aka the Hell's Angels. In 1944 he flew 33 combat missions over Europe. I have always wanted to build one of his planes, and earlier this summer I started talking with family about which one to do. We settled on one that he had fond memories of... a B-17G named 'Sweet Pea'.
My grandfather and his crew pictured with the 'Sweet Pea'. He is the second from the right in the back row.
A big part of this project is going to be researching the history of this airplane AND the history of my grandfather and his crew. Ultimately I want the finished model to depict the Sweet Pea as she looked the morning of their last mission. I'll be sharing what I learn and hope that this build can pay tribute to their bravery.
As for the build itself:
B-17G 1:9th scale
Wingspan: 138"
Length: 100"
Power: 4x 60 sized electric with scale 3 blade props. Likely 6s
AUW: TBD. Similar models are about 55lbs. I'm hoping for closer to 40lbs.
Planned features/extras:
- 4 speaker sound system
- 3D printed Radials
- 3D printed interior details
- Functional bomb doors and drop
- Lighting
- Functional Turrets
This one will take quite a while to finish but I'm SO excited to finally be starting this one.