Those that think about strategic bombing during WWII will generally think of the B-17. And why not. It was the B-17 that gathered most of the press. Think about the WWII movies that you see concerning bombers. They are mostly about the B-17. There are several reasons for this. First of all they are a very cool looking aircraft, especially compared to the boxy B-24. Second, they were the first US heavy bomber to be used against the enemy. This was during the fighting in the Philippines. Finally, there were a reasonable number of them around to do movies with! 

Particularly after the war. B-24s were scrapped quite rapidly while the B-17 carried on in various roles for a number of years after the war. This meant that there were more of them around to be used in movies. Even today, there are over a half dozen B-17 warbirds but only one B-24.

White Dog has chosen an interesting bomb group for this sheet. As explained in the instruction sheet, the 490th had some of the more 'provocative' nose art seen in the 8th AF. This particular sheet is for three planes, though only two of them have any nose art. All three are natural metal with silver doped control surfaces. They all have the required red wing, stab and tail bands with OD anti-glare panel. The recommended kit is the Minicraft B-17G. The boxing I have is also in 490th markings! You can also use the older Hasegawa kit, but the Cheyenne turret looks a bit anemic, though the engine cowlings look better. Perhaps a kit bash is in order.

The first planes on the sheet is 'Bobby Sox'. This one has the bb rather neatly done as the nose lady's buns!

'£5 with Breakfast' is the next bird. It is some reference to the cost of a night on the town (so to speak) in London. 

The third plane is a replacement bird that has no nose art and no tail code.

There are enough common markings on the sheet to do all three planes. As with other White Dog sheets, the nose art has a white decal that goes on first as the artwork decal is a bit transparent.

These sheets are only available by mail from White Dog. You can contact them at:

Don Fenton
11629 James Grant Dr.
El Paso, TX  79936

You can e-mail Don at dpfenton@earthlink.net for more information.

Review copy courtesy of White Dog Decals. Thanks for your support. 

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