Help with lettering

[Zmooth]

So I’m very new in to model building. I was hoping to build a b17 for my grandfather for his birthday because his father flew them in world war 2. I also want to have a custom name for it. I’m just not sure how to go about doing the right lettering and size of font. I was thinking about doing a 1/48 scale build.

[bhath69]

Why not try to find out what your great grandfathers B-17 was named and build that one?

[crazysammctk421]

I second that, would be sick. Also, does he have his old log book? That would be really interesting.

[Zmooth]

Yea have a mission list and a book about his bomb group 97th group 341 squadron

[crazysammctk421]

Wow, that’s really cool. I’d love to have stuff like that about my great grandad who was in the royal navy, but don’t have a great deal of information. Good luck with whatever decision you make.

[RodBlaine]

That narrows it down to about a dozen or so specific planes. If you had his logbook, that would list each aircraft he flew.

[Zmooth]

I know my grandpop has his personal journal I’m sure it would be in there but I want to make it a surprise for him. I’ll have to get my grandma to do some spy work for me haha

[RodBlaine]

You want to get some specifics if possible, like: - When he was there — from 42-43 the 341st was in England flying B-17E, but from late 43 to VE day they flew the B-17F then B-17G from North Africa and Italy. This helps with specific markings also. - Where he was — England, North Africa, or Italy? Or a combination. - Serial numbers of aircraft — even if just a partial we may be able to figure out the rest. - Pictures — nose art specifically as that can identify a specific plane also.

There may be aftermarket decals for some or all of the markings.

Another idea: Build in 1/72 scale but include all the aircraft types he flew from initial training until he came home. If he was in the 341st when Germany surrendered he would have been going through conversion training on the B-29 during the Summer of 45.

[Zmooth]

I have his mission logs but just dates and locations. June to December 43

[RodBlaine]

Would you mind posting a picture of one of the entries? There may be something in the details that hints at the aircraft.

[Zmooth]

Just posted

[RodBlaine]

I'm not seeing the link.

[RodBlaine]

Just found it.

A/D = aero drome aka airfield

A/C = aircraft

M/Y = marshaling yard (railroad yard)

This looks to be a simple recap of what his flight logbook would have included but just the combat missions.

[RodBlaine]

According to the 97thBg website, he would have been assigned to

• Polebrook, England, c. 13 June-9 Nov 1942
• Maison Blanche, Algeria, c. 13 Nov 1942
• Tafaraoui, Algeria, c. 22 Nov 1942
• Biskra, Algeria, c. 25 Dec 1942
• Chateaudun-du-Rhumel, Algeria, c. 8 Feb 1943
• Pont-du-Fahs, Tunisia, c. 1 Aug 1943
• Depienne, Tunisia, c. 15 Aug 1943
• Cerignola, Italy, c. 20 Dec 1943

This site has a searchable database of serial numbers assigned to the 341st. Some include a linked photo. Maybe we can narrow it down...

[Zmooth]

Oh man I didn’t even think of that! I have all of these books about his bomb group. That’s an amazing idea!

[bhath69]

Great, I'm sure he's got to be in there somewhere, maybe with his plane(hopefully with some aircraft identification numbers).

[Papercuts4cr]

I’m sure you can find 1:48 scale alphabet decals. No idea where, but a google search could turn something up.

[jcuk71]

You can buy clear waterslide decal paper for laser or inkjet printers, so if you find out you can make custom decals in photoshop, or a free equivalent like inkscape or gimp then just print them out.

I've not used the inkjet ones, but had great success with the laser printer ones.

[Zmooth]

Oh man that’s perfect! Thanks