B-17B-17

““Flying Fortress”Flying Fortress”

The B-17 "Flying Fortress" The B-17 "Flying Fortress"

The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress was The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress was designed in the 1930s for the US Army designed in the 1930s for the US Army Air Corps as a 4 engine heavy bomber. Air Corps as a 4 engine heavy bomber. During the Second World War the B-17 During the Second World War the B-17 was used mainly for daylight precision was used mainly for daylight precision bombing raids against German military bombing raids against German military and industrial targets.and industrial targets.

It could fly at 35,000 feet for some It could fly at 35,000 feet for some 2,000 miles able to drop some 4,500 2,000 miles able to drop some 4,500 pounds of bombs on enemy targets. pounds of bombs on enemy targets. A formidable weapon, it quickly took A formidable weapon, it quickly took on a reputation as a tough aircraft on a reputation as a tough aircraft that could survive major damage and that could survive major damage and still return home.still return home.

From its pre-war inception, the USAAC From its pre-war inception, the USAAC (later USAAF) touted the aircraft as a (later USAAF) touted the aircraft as a strategic weapon; it was a potent, high-strategic weapon; it was a potent, high-flying, long-range bomber that was able to flying, long-range bomber that was able to defend itself, and to return home despite defend itself, and to return home despite extensive battle damage. It quickly took on extensive battle damage. It quickly took on mythic proportions, and widely circulated mythic proportions, and widely circulated stories and photos of B-17s surviving battle stories and photos of B-17s surviving battle damage increased its iconic status. With a damage increased its iconic status. With a service ceiling greater than any of its Allied service ceiling greater than any of its Allied contemporaries, the B-17 established itself contemporaries, the B-17 established itself as an effective weapons system, dropping as an effective weapons system, dropping more bombs than any other U.S. aircraft in more bombs than any other U.S. aircraft in World War II. Of the 1.5 million metric tons World War II. Of the 1.5 million metric tons of bombs dropped on Germany by U.S. of bombs dropped on Germany by U.S. aircraft, 640,000 tons were dropped from B-aircraft, 640,000 tons were dropped from B-17s 17s

““Shoo Shoo Baby”Shoo Shoo Baby”

There were 3 B-17’s know as the “Shoo Shoo Baby”There were 3 B-17’s know as the “Shoo Shoo Baby”

42-31669 B-17 G “Shoo Shoo Baby” 35842-31669 B-17 G “Shoo Shoo Baby” 358thth BS VK-J (Flew 20 BS VK-J (Flew 20 missions landed in Switzerland in 1944)missions landed in Switzerland in 1944)

42-97311 B-17 G “Shoo Shoo Baby” (AKA Silver Fox) 42742-97311 B-17 G “Shoo Shoo Baby” (AKA Silver Fox) 427thth BS BS GN-O (Flew 112 missions Scrapped in Kingman Az in 1945GN-O (Flew 112 missions Scrapped in Kingman Az in 1945

42-32076 B-17 G “Shoo Shoo Shoo Baby” 40142-32076 B-17 G “Shoo Shoo Shoo Baby” 401stst BS LL-E (Flew BS LL-E (Flew 24 missions, crash landed in Sweden in 1944, currently on 24 missions, crash landed in Sweden in 1944, currently on display at the National Museum of the United States Air force)display at the National Museum of the United States Air force)

PAUL C. STEWART CREW - 358th BSPAUL C. STEWART CREW - 358th BS B-17G #42-31669 B-17G #42-31669 Shoo Shoo BabyShoo Shoo Baby (358BS) VK-J (358BS) VK-J

(crew assigned 358BS: 15 March 1944)(crew assigned 358BS: 15 March 1944)

Seven credited combat missions Seven credited combat missions flown by the 1Lt Paul S. Stewart flown by the 1Lt Paul S. Stewart

CrewCrew

132 - 09 Apr 1944 - to Marienburg, Ger in B-17G 42-107002 132 - 09 Apr 1944 - to Marienburg, Ger in B-17G 42-107002 Mairzy Doats (358BS) VK-AMairzy Doats (358BS) VK-A135 - 13 Apr 1944 - to Schweinfurt, Ger in B-17G 42-107028 135 - 13 Apr 1944 - to Schweinfurt, Ger in B-17G 42-107028 (No name) (358BS) VK-I(No name) (358BS) VK-I136 - 18 Apr 1044 - to Oranienburg, Ger in B-17G 42-136 - 18 Apr 1044 - to Oranienburg, Ger in B-17G 42-107028 (No name) (358BS) VK-I107028 (No name) (358BS) VK-I137 - 19 Apr 1944 - to Kassel, Ger in B-17G 42-107002 137 - 19 Apr 1944 - to Kassel, Ger in B-17G 42-107002 Mairzy Doats (358BS) VK-AMairzy Doats (358BS) VK-A138 - 20 Apr 1944 - to Sottevast, Ger in B-17G 42-31669 138 - 20 Apr 1944 - to Sottevast, Ger in B-17G 42-31669 Shoo Shoo Baby (358BS) VK-JShoo Shoo Baby (358BS) VK-J139 - 22 Apr 1944 - to Hamm, Ger in B-17G 42-107028 (No 139 - 22 Apr 1944 - to Hamm, Ger in B-17G 42-107028 (No name) (358BS) VK-Iname) (358BS) VK-I140 - 24 Apr 1944 - to Oberpfaffenhofen, Ger in B-17G 42-140 - 24 Apr 1944 - to Oberpfaffenhofen, Ger in B-17G 42-107200 (No name) (358BS) VK-B107200 (No name) (358BS) VK-B

““Last Mission”Last Mission”(KIA-POW)(KIA-POW) on April 24, 1944, Mission #140 to Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany on April 24, 1944, Mission #140 to Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany Airdrome, in B-17G #42-107200 (no name) (358th BS) VK-B. Copilot was 2Lt Airdrome, in B-17G #42-107200 (no name) (358th BS) VK-B. Copilot was 2Lt Rudolph H. HeapeRudolph H. Heape (CP-KIA), flying his second mission. The B-17 was hit by anti- (CP-KIA), flying his second mission. The B-17 was hit by anti-aircraft fire in the target area and was badly damaged. It was last seen heading aircraft fire in the target area and was badly damaged. It was last seen heading towards Switzerland. 2Lt towards Switzerland. 2Lt Paul C. StewartPaul C. Stewart (P) could not hold the plane in formation (P) could not hold the plane in formation and was soon hit by a nose attack by enemy fighters. Sgt and was soon hit by a nose attack by enemy fighters. Sgt Drackart L. JonesDrackart L. Jones (RAD) (RAD) was observed to have been killed by 20mm gunfire in the radio room and the bomb was observed to have been killed by 20mm gunfire in the radio room and the bomb bay area was on fire. bay area was on fire.

The surviving crew members attempted to contact the crewmen in the nose and The surviving crew members attempted to contact the crewmen in the nose and when receiving no reply assumed that these men had been killed. At this time the when receiving no reply assumed that these men had been killed. At this time the three surviving crewmen, Sgts three surviving crewmen, Sgts James L. CastJames L. Cast (LWG), (LWG), Raymond H. CadloloRaymond H. Cadlolo (RWG) (RWG) bailed out from the waist hatch and bailed out from the waist hatch and Roy A SableRoy A Sable (TG) jumped from the tail hatch. All (TG) jumped from the tail hatch. All three landed safely and were almost immediately captured. All were imprisoned at three landed safely and were almost immediately captured. All were imprisoned at Stalag 17-B Stalag 17-B

Before bailing out they had asked Sgt Before bailing out they had asked Sgt Joseph T. JasinskiJoseph T. Jasinski (BTG) if he was OK. He (BTG) if he was OK. He replied "Hurry up and jump." He had spilled his parachute in the waist area and was replied "Hurry up and jump." He had spilled his parachute in the waist area and was in the process of buckling on the spare parachute. At this time the B-17 banked sharp in the process of buckling on the spare parachute. At this time the B-17 banked sharp left and went into a tight spiral dive. It was assumed that Sgt Jasinski was thrown left and went into a tight spiral dive. It was assumed that Sgt Jasinski was thrown against the inside wall of the B-17, was pinned there by centrifugal force and was against the inside wall of the B-17, was pinned there by centrifugal force and was unable to reach the escape hatch. The B-17 crashed near Gross-Seeham 35.5 km SE unable to reach the escape hatch. The B-17 crashed near Gross-Seeham 35.5 km SE of Munich, close to the little town of Irschenberg. The 7 KIA crewmen were initially of Munich, close to the little town of Irschenberg. The 7 KIA crewmen were initially buried in a mass grave in nearby village of Holzollingburied in a mass grave in nearby village of Holzolling

The remains of the seven KIA crewmen were buried in a mass common grave The remains of the seven KIA crewmen were buried in a mass common grave

on 23 June 1950 at the on 23 June 1950 at the Zachary Taylor National CemeteryZachary Taylor National Cemetery in Louisville, KY in Louisville, KY

““Shoo Shoo Baby”Shoo Shoo Baby”Building of a LegendBuilding of a Legend

I have always liked the B-17. I have read many stories I have always liked the B-17. I have read many stories and researched the airplane for quite sometime now. and researched the airplane for quite sometime now. I wanted to build a large scale model and the B-17 I wanted to build a large scale model and the B-17 was the perfect choice. There are many famous B-was the perfect choice. There are many famous B-17’s with the “Memphis Belle” being the most famous 17’s with the “Memphis Belle” being the most famous of all. I came across the “Shoo Shoo Baby” in my of all. I came across the “Shoo Shoo Baby” in my research and decided on the first one which was research and decided on the first one which was piloted by 1piloted by 1stst Lt Paul Stewart to model after. The Lt Paul Stewart to model after. The aircraft’s name came from a song made famous by aircraft’s name came from a song made famous by the “Andrews Sisters”. the “Andrews Sisters”.

ConstructionConstruction

Wing Span 127 ½ InchesWing Span 127 ½ Inches Length 94 InchesLength 94 Inches

Built entirely from foam purchased at Lowes Built entirely from foam purchased at Lowes building center and using hot glue and building center and using hot glue and masking tape in the construction the airframe masking tape in the construction the airframe weighs in around 10 lbs. Once all of the weighs in around 10 lbs. Once all of the landing gear and electronics have been added landing gear and electronics have been added the total weight will be just under 20 lbs. the total weight will be just under 20 lbs. Power will be provided by 4 electric motors Power will be provided by 4 electric motors and the landing gear will retract. I will use a 6 and the landing gear will retract. I will use a 6 channel radio to fly it with.channel radio to fly it with.

““Shoo Shoo Baby” Fuselage Shoo Shoo Baby” Fuselage KeelKeel

A foam keel was cut to the A foam keel was cut to the shape of the B-17 and formers shape of the B-17 and formers

were attachedwere attached

With formers completed the With formers completed the outside skin was attached nextoutside skin was attached next

All joints were covered with All joints were covered with masking tapemasking tape

Initially the nose section was to Initially the nose section was to be painted but I later removed be painted but I later removed this and added a Plexiglas nosethis and added a Plexiglas nose

Wing ConstructionWing Construction

The only wood in the project, The only wood in the project, Main spar caps and landing Main spar caps and landing

gear mountsgear mounts

Electrical wires have been Electrical wires have been routedrouted

Retractable Landing Gear Retractable Landing Gear

Wing skin attached and Aileron cut Wing skin attached and Aileron cut outout

PaintingPainting

Latex wall paint is usedLatex wall paint is used

Squadron markings addedSquadron markings added

Making some Accessories Making some Accessories

I decided to make some of my own I decided to make some of my own plastic parts. I built a vacuum form plastic parts. I built a vacuum form machine out of an old vacuum machine out of an old vacuum cleaner. Utilizing plastic sheets from cleaner. Utilizing plastic sheets from Hobby Lobby I was able to create Hobby Lobby I was able to create dummy engines and a Plexiglas nose dummy engines and a Plexiglas nose section. Other parts can also be section. Other parts can also be created on this form machine.created on this form machine.

Dummy EnginesDummy Engines

Nose Glass mold made from a Nose Glass mold made from a cereal bowl and egg cooker topcereal bowl and egg cooker top

Engines and GlassEngines and Glass

Almost FinishedAlmost Finished

Shoo Shoo Baby!Shoo Shoo Baby!

B-17 model built by Glenn Smith JrB-17 model built by Glenn Smith Jr

Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy sung by “The Andrews Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy sung by “The Andrews Sisters”Sisters”

Shoo Shoo Baby song sung by “The Andrews Shoo Shoo Baby song sung by “The Andrews Sisters”Sisters”

Shoo Shoo Baby Music by “The Glenn Miller Shoo Shoo Baby Music by “The Glenn Miller Orchestra”Orchestra”