U.S. Department of Defense photo by Lisa Ferdinando, 03OCT2019.
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper gets a ‘walk around’ of the Memphis Belle at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (AFB), Ohio, 03OCT2019.
After 13 years of rebuilding, the B-17F Memphis Belle was ready for unveiling in 2018. Part of the restoration included painting the World War Two Boeing Flying Fortress with period correct paint.
U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock, 13FEB2018.
Painting the bomb bay.
Boeing B-17F “Memphis Belle” rests inside a hangar at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, 01FEB2018. USAF photo by J.M. Eddins Junior.
U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez, official unveiling 16MAY2018.
Official video report about the ‘period correct’ painting process, January 2018:
Official video report explaining the confusion over what are ‘correct’ markings for the Memphis Belle (even as a beginning kit builder in the 1970s I heard/read many arguments between ‘adult’ builders as to what the correct markings were), includes lots of color war-time film:
Dramatic music video, how to paint and install your B-17 propellers:
Official video report, installing the tail gunner station into a ‘naked’ Memphis Belle, 2017:
Dramatic music video of completed Memphis Belle being moved in early 2018 to new location, just think how lucky the tow-truck driver is:
Here’s almost 13 minutes of silent color wartime footage of the Memphis Belle:
New York Air National Guard Photo by Staff Sergeant Christopher S. Muncy, 17SEP2017
This B-17F ‘Memphis Belle’ is owned by the Liberty Foundation, the pic was taken in 2017. It is not painted correctly, can you see the boo-boo? Compare it to the pic at the top of the article. (clue: Blue on the driver’s left, red on the driver’s right)
Photo dated 1943.
In 1978 Revell tried to compete with Monogram’s excellent 1:48 scale B-17G, by issuing a 1:48 B-17F. Dimensionally it was about the same size as Monogram’s but lacked the awesome detailing. It’s still periodically re-issued.
In 1962, Revell issued a 1:72 scale B-17F Memphis Belle. As a child in the early 1970s, Revell’s 1972 rebox was the first World War Two bomber kit I built.
Hasegawa issued a 1:72 Memphis Belle in 2009, however, it is not a new tooling. It’s their old 1976 kit with new decals.
Academy’s 1:72 Memphis Belle is much nicer than the ancient Revell, and the old Hasegawa, kits.
VEHICLE I-D: C-47 DAKOTA/SKYTRAIN, DOUGLAS COMMERCIAL-3, R4D GOONIES! (with long kit shopping list)
Unboxing the monster kit.
Who wouldn’t be happy about a kit this big?
You’ll need some jacks and jigs.
A bunch of people about to get bombed at the 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing HQ at Creech Air Force Base (AFB), Nevada, 06JUN2019.
On 03MAR2018, the MQ-1 took its official last flight in Nevada, being replaced by the MQ-9 Reaper.
30NOV2017, removing the ‘brains’, the Primary Control Module, Creech AFB.
Removing the antenna. This was done prior to the MQ-1 being sent to United Kingdom to become a ‘gate guard’.
Final combat mission (undisclosed location) of 361st Expeditionary Attack Squadron’s MQ-1B, 01JUL2017.
MQ-1B Predator remote piloted aircraft with the 147th Air Reconnaissance Wing, Texas Air National Guard, on display at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Expedition, Malaysia, 21MAR2017.
MQ-1 final flight at Holloman AFB, New Mexico, 27FEB2017.
They’re not really on ice, but ice is on them.
Rotor-wash.
1:48 scale, first issued 1961.
First issued 2006, also boxed by Revell-Germany.
Black Dog issues resin detail parts, including skis for snow.
22FEB2020, Laem Chabang Port, Thailand, Cobra Gold 2020.
Countermeasure Washdown System
New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing’s LC-130, McMurdo Station, Antarctica 15JAN2019.
New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing LC-130 (upgraded with evil British empire Rolls-Royce T56 series 3.5/NP2000 props), McMurdo Station, Antarctica, 17DEC2018.
Grass field take-off? No, it’s the camera angle. NY National Guard’s LC-130 takes off for Antarctica, 06SEP2018.
LC-130(F-H?) in Antarctica, 23JUL2017.
The Common Science Support Pod, or IcePod, houses a variety of instruments to meausure changes in the Antarctic ice sheet.
Some ‘scientist’ from Colombia University explaining how the IcePod works. To find out more go here: 
Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, 27JUN2016.
January 2014, Pegasus Field, Antarctica, problems with landing gear being rectified.
Leaving Antarctica, 02FEB2011.
McMurdo Station, Antarctica, 2007.
Rocket assisted take-off from Greenland, 2003. For some reason it’s officially called Jet Assisted Take Off (JATO) even though it’s actually rockets. With the new Rolls-Royce T56 series 3.5 turbine/NP2000 props JATO is no longer needed.
CVN-71 on its way to Guam, 25JAN2020.
Leaving San Diego, 17JAN2020.
Scrubbing the deck in 2013.
Leaving Newport News Shipyard in 2013, after four years of overhaul.
2009, when CVN-71 began its overhaul.
