Original U.S. WWII B-17F “Flying Fortress” Model Plane Signed by Seven Veteran B-17 Crewmen - Scale 1/54

Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is a four-engined heavy bomber developed in the 1930s for the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC). Competing against Douglas and Martin for a contract to build 200 bombers, the Boeing entry (prototype Model 299/XB-17) outperformed both competitors and exceeded the Air Corps' performance specifications. Although Boeing lost the contract (to the Douglas B-18 Bolo) because the prototype crashed, the Air Corps ordered 13 more B-17s for further evaluation. From its introduction in 1938, the B-17 Flying Fortress evolved through numerous design advances, becoming the third-most produced bomber of all time, behind the four-engined Consolidated B-24 Liberator and the multirole, twin-engined Junkers Ju 88.

This is an outstanding 1/54 Scale model of a B-17F Flying Fortress, which has been signed on the bottom by seven WWII Veteran B-17 crewmen. The signatures include:

- Tail Gunner S/SGT Roland L. Douglas, 351st Bomb Squadron, 100th Bomb Group, Prisoner of War from 12-31-44 to 4-29-45.
- Jaus Avertt(?) 308th Bomb Group. Very difficult to read.
- Art Buttro 388th B.T.(S.?)
- John Walter, Pilot, 95th B.G.
- Ray Miller, 452 B.G.
- Marc Ogden, 301 B.G., 15th A.F.
- Hood Metz (?) 99 B.G.

The B-17F is removable from its stand and sits on two wooden pegs. The base has a plaque reading:

Boeing/USAAF
B-17F Flying Fortress
Scale: 1/54

The set on the stand measures 8 ½ x 23 ½ x 17”. Comes ready for further research and display.