Hey all! Continuing with building particular aircraft that have some connection to my home state of Connecticut, I decided to build the 91st BG B-17F known as "Connecticut Yankee" production block number B-17F-5-DL Buno: 42-2970.
I've found only five confirmed pictures of the aircraft in question. Two pictures that appear to be from a stateside photo flight of the aircraft when it was brand new.
https://www.americanairmuseum.com/aircraft/3623![Image](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/z141/Warbird-Kid/42-2970-2.jpg)
![Image](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/z141/Warbird-Kid/media-25304.jpg)
The only other three pictures of the aircraft is after Jim Verinis (co-pilot of the Memphis Belle) was assigned the plane and named it after his home state. He was born in Stamford and grew up in New Haven.
![Image](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/z141/Warbird-Kid/42-2970.jpg)
![Image](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/z141/Warbird-Kid/IMG_7951.JPG)
This third picture of the plane just became known to me and shows the entire nose section and armament.
![Image](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/z141/Warbird-Kid/5nwu36wxbz34.jpg)
So with that in mind I felt I had a good amount of info to begin building the bomber. I made a quick profile mockup for a bio placard to go along with the model in the museum, and to help me with this build.
![Image](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/z141/Warbird-Kid/Connecticut_Yankee_B-17F.jpg)
![Image](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/z141/Warbird-Kid/PXL_20220419_203002193.MP.jpg)
I built the interior as is. No additions or anything. I found the detail to be very nice and could see of some modelers can go crazy with interiors.
![Image](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/z141/Warbird-Kid/PXL_20220419_203018374.MP.jpg)
After some months of starts and stops with this model. I finally decided to attach the wings and horizontal stabilizers. The main wings required a good amount of filler at the wing root.
![Image](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/z141/Warbird-Kid/(edited)_(edited)_PXL_20220801_193048954.png)
The gap is necessary if you want the wings at the right angle, vs just pushing the wing flush to the fuselage, hence the odd looking "flexed wing" example on the box.
![Image](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/z141/Warbird-Kid/12495a_ee96ae05-9dbc-4044-94c6-47fb070819bc.webp)
I bought aftermarket engines and cowlings for the project, but had some difficulty with the cowlings. After cutting them off of their blocks, I realized I hacked them a bit, and they did not look good. I finally decided to go with the kit's cowlings and was satisfied with the look. The model was masked, shot primer gray, and then painted olive drab.
![Image](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/z141/Warbird-Kid/(edited)_PXL_20220804_051938585.MP.png)
I couldn't wait and decided to add the stars. It was also at this point that I realized the model came with the navigator's astro-dome and CT Yankee didn't, so off it came! Now I need to build up and putty the hole, and then add the other windows in the nose.
![Image](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/z141/Warbird-Kid/PXL_20220809_131058715.MP.jpg)
Underside is looking good to me. Cant wait to add all that weathering!
![Image](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/z141/Warbird-Kid/PXL_20220809_131114326.MP.jpg)
I've also added the repainted sections on the nose that can be seen in the original pictures.
![Image](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/z141/Warbird-Kid/PXL_20220809_131122291.MP.jpg)
Now the biggest issue I'm facing is whether or not this B-17 had the dark green "mottling" around the edges on the top side like Memphis Belle? Or is it just straight Olive Drab?
I ended up watching The Cold Blue and near the end a found a 4-5 second clip that shows the tail 42-2970. And wouldn't you know it? It has the green "mottling"!
![Image](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/z141/Warbird-Kid/YL_1.jpg)
I decided to try my hand at brushing on these additional camouflage markings. I first used the same dark olive drab I used for the repainted sections near the nose. I found the color to be completely off and decided to paint over it with a European green color I had. While I liked the newer color alot more, I found the entire thing very thick and globby, as can be seen in these photos.
![Image](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/z141/Warbird-Kid/PXL_20220810_050150282.MP.jpg)
A little bit of paint thinner on some Q-tips and done! Quite surprised at how it came off! I've decided to bust out my new airbrush and finally become versed in airbrushing as Id like these green splotches to look as authentic and thin as possible.
![Image](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/z141/Warbird-Kid/PXL_20220810_131107918.MP.jpg)
I also cut off the astro dome, filled it in, and drilled out the two missing windows in the nose for this variant.
![Image](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/z141/Warbird-Kid/PXL_20220810_050144699.MP.jpg)
A little bit of masking and a shot of the rattle can OD and there we are!
![Image](https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/z141/Warbird-Kid/PXL_20220810_131104699.MP.jpg)
That's all for now. Thanks for looking!