Verlinden 120mm USAAF Crewman 'Memphis Belle'

[Tim Marlow]

Looks good Peter, like he’s just done a mission...

[Guest]

Steven - Many thanks. Not courage, but desperation.

Tim - Thank you. He does look rather tired.

[Steve Jones]

Just sneak in at the back if I may Peter. Looks quite the painting challenge. The head has come out really well. Great stuff

[Guest]

Cheers Steve. I need to really think about the colours on this one - keeping the leather quite dark, the yellow of the life jacket etc. Makes it all more fun.

[AlanG]

Although I do agree about the youth of the B17 crews, and the Hollywood movie Memphis Belle makes it movingly clear how VERY young those boys were.

Indeed they in general very young and naive. The film was also a crock of rubbish, full of inaccuracies and fails to mention that Memphis Belle wasn't actually the first 8th AF bomber crew to achieve 25 missions. Sorry it's just something that really pushes my buttons and is disrespectful to the real 25thers... Hells Angels crew on 14th May (a full 3 days before MB)

[Guest]

The aircraft was of course made famous by William Wyler's 1944 documentary Memphis Belle. A story of a Flying Fortress. Apparently, not all the film was shot in the same aircraft, as battle damage meant it was frequently under repair, although Wyler did use the same crew. The exciting combat chatter (''Stop yelling on that intercom!'') was added by the crew later in the sound studio as the footage was shot on 16mm silent film (and it is actual combat footage). Though not the first to survive 25 missions, the aircraft was the first survivor to return to the US, where the fundraising activities of the crew made it even more famous.

I like the 1990 film, though as Alan says, it is full of inaccuracies - just about everything that can go wrong, does go wrong on the mission, stretching belief beyond the limits. However, as Neil says, the youth and dynamics of the relationships of the crew are well caught.

[JR]

Just sneak in at the back if I may Peter. Looks quite the painting challenge. The head has come out really well. Great stuff

We have sit on our hands ! Better behave Steve :smiling2:.

Thought I'd warm him Pete sorry for the intrusion :nerd:

[JR]

He certainly looks as Tim has mentioned just back from a mission, tired and drained.
Think you've worked the face well Peter . :thumb2:

[tr1ckey66]

Wow Peter, you really are prolific aren’t you, I can hardly keep track!
looking forward to another masterly figure painting display.
Cheers
Paul

[SteveH]

Morning Peter

Excellent work with your scalpel and paints giving the head a less aged and more tired look, it has been great success.

Well done.

I guess you will be revelling in the next paint session with all the materials on the body,

How do you start? from the lowest layer up, or top to bottom?

Enjoy it either way!

The weather could be wetter down South?

Its still dark here, I'm up too early with my damned knee!

Have a good day and hopefully a fully recovered household with no more relapses from C-19.

Regards

Steve H

[Guest]

John - I thought I told you to sit on your hands! OK, you're allowed to type, and I'm pleased that you like our man.

Paul - If I stop working, the mojo ebbs. I hope I can pull this off.

Steve - I'm a long way from satisfied with the face, and I will try and make some adjustments today - typical of Verlinden that that is the weak point. As for painting the rest, it's about working from he top downwards. What I think I'll do today is start on the chest by blocking in the leather parts with black brown, then paint in the life vest and harness.

It's actually raining here, which hasn't happened for months - makes a nice change. Sorry to hear that your knee is still playing up - you've really been through it lately.

[AlanG]

The aircraft was of course made famous by William Wyler's 1944 documentary Memphis Belle. A story of a Flying Fortress. Apparently, not all the film was shot in the same aircraft, as battle damage meant it was frequently under repair, although Wyler did use the same crew. The exciting combat chatter (''Stop yelling on that intercom!'') was added by the crew later in the sound studio as the footage was shot on 16mm silent film (and it is actual combat footage). Though not the first to survive 25 missions, the aircraft was the first survivor to return to the US, where the fundraising activities of the crew made it even more famous.

I like the 1990 film, though as Alan says, it is full of inaccuracies - just about everything that can go wrong, does go wrong on the mission, stretching belief beyond the limits. However, as Neil says, the youth and dynamics of the relationships of the crew are well caught.

In the original MB film, Whyler didn't get the target correct. MB didn't bomb Wilhelmshaven that day. They bombed a tiny island called Heligoland. MB's actual 25th mission was a 'quick' run to Lorient. But other then that is is an accurate portrayal.

In fact the first 8th AF airman to complete 25 missions was a radio operator/gunner called Michael Roscovich

[Guest]

As of lunchtime:



Really bloomin' difficult. Hopefully, I'll get the back done today as well.

[Peter Gillson]

Hi Peter

one of my favourite Verliden figures of thatbscale - the texture of the leather look spot on

peter

[JR]

Love the flying jacket and that collar Peter.