wonwinglo

This model is a little bit special,it represents a Boeing Stearman PT-17 Kaydet made by my father during 1941 whilst he was under training as a pilot with the U.S.Army air corps,the model was whittled from chunks of firewood carved with an ordinary pen knife,the now cracking dope finish is authentic paint from the real Stearman's that he scrounged from the maintenance crew in the workshops,the fact that it has survived all of these years after travelling back and forth across the atlantic in a military kit bag is remarkable in itself,together with his log books it is an historic reminder of turbulent times past,machine '41' was the one that he made his first solo in at Lakeland air force base in Florida.The Army air corps instructors were mostly civilians snapped up by uncle Sam to fulfill the war effort,they stood no nonsense with the R.A.F recruits on the famous Arnold scheme which ensured flying instruction un-hampered by the awful English weather at that time.

__________________
'And there I was oil on my goggles from a broken pipe,then I looked at the altimeter,all I could see was the makers name !'
www.wonwinglo.scale-models.net/

adzam

superb model with excellent history barry !

Bunkerbarge

Barry,

When you hear so much about the value of models nowadays yours puts it all into persepctive. With its history and what it means to you it is utterly priceless.

Thanks for sharing it with us.

wonwinglo

***Richard someone has just said exactly the same thing to me,that model represents not only my fathers flying career,but also it brought to me the joys of model building via himself as a tutor,to someone else just another model,but the history behind it means so much,it also proves that despite a lack of decent materials if you have the enthusiasm then you will build from anything available in any conditions.

__________________
'And there I was oil on my goggles from a broken pipe,then I looked at the altimeter,all I could see was the makers name !'
www.wonwinglo.scale-models.net/

wonwinglo

Here is another little story behind this very model that was related to me-
He used to keep the model beside his bunk bed,one day there was a big inspection in the nissan hut,you know the flap everything was tidied up ready for the big day,anyway when it arrived the contingent was led by a very senior high ranking official,he prodded and poked,opened up cupboards and felt for dust,then he stopped in front of my fathers cabinet and spotted the tiny model,picked it up carefully and inspected it with a big grin all over his face,without further ado he just said 'well done airman' in a broad American acent and carried on down the line of bunks with the inspection.

__________________
'And there I was oil on my goggles from a broken pipe,then I looked at the altimeter,all I could see was the makers name !'
www.wonwinglo.scale-models.net/

Bunkerbarge

Barry,

I really appreciate you sharing your model and your stories, to me it is what modelling is all about.

I am sure we all have something tucked away somewhere that whilst maybe not winning any competitions, means the world to us and reminds us of why we do our hobby.

Thank you

wonwinglo

***Richard,modelling is about a lot of things of great importance,firstly it is about the people that devote their time to creating such beautiful little miniatures,just like painting and music the gift of being able to create something should never be undermined or overlooked,as modellers we stick together and understand these things that are so important to our lives.You are right,these stories bring that extra bit of substance and pleasure to what is possible to achieve,how boring it would be to not exchange comments and above all not share hints and tips on how we build and operate or display these models.
In my own case when I see this little biplane to me it is a celebration of my fathers fascinating life,and if I can share with good people like yourself then boy does that make it all the more worthwhile.
Many of us here started our model building career in some humble way,perhaps a kit brought for us as a birthday or christmas present ? or perhaps we saw someone operating their model in a park or field,those lasting impressions just triggered that vital spark to do it ourselves ! now that really is something.
You are most welcome.

__________________
'And there I was oil on my goggles from a broken pipe,then I looked at the altimeter,all I could see was the makers name !'
www.wonwinglo.scale-models.net/

Nigel.D

Barry what can i say???? wow!!! the history and the attatchment makes the whole thing one of the most emotive posts i have ever heard. Cant wait for the next one