Static, I'm very interested in your "Shady Lady" model. I have been asked to build this aircraft by the pilots son. I need the AC#, squadron and group code information. Where did you find the decals? Pull the chocks and help me out :) Thanx... Tails up, Wiggy [signature]

Wiggy, I'm fairly new at modelling stuff, but that's my new hobby since my wife won't let me go to the bar anymore, and I can't afford to restore my '65 GTO right now....But can't you just get an 8 1/2 X 11 sheet of decal material from the hobby shop, cut and paste whatever decal images you're looking for on your computer, and print your own decals?? I've tried this with tail markings from this excellent website, blown them up to 1:48 size, and they work perfectly. [signature]

Frank, Could you post the AC# on the tail, and the letters on the side of the fuselage. Like DF*F for example. I'm trying to identify the Squadron and Group information for "Shady Lady". Thanks for your help. Tails up, Wiggy. [signature]

Sorry, I don't have that info. I was just suggesting how you might go about making your own decals. Maybe you can get a picture of a plane with similar numbers and change them around in your photo editing program, and then print that on a decal sheet once you find info. you're looking for..... [signature]

Hi....According to Wallace Forman's B-17 Nose Art NAmes Directory there were 19 "Shady LAdy' a/c......8th AF 94th BG 331 BS 42-102456 photo yes 94th BG 332 BS Blank Photo no 305 BG 364 BS 42-37726 photo no 351 BG 509 BS 42-29841 photo no 379 BG Blank blank photo no 398 BG 601 BS 42-97385 photo no NLS Blank 422 BS photo no 15 AF 2 bg 96 BS 42-5411 photo no 99 BG Blank Blank photo no If you can identify the a/c serial number. BG and BS, I can look in Roger Freeman and David Osborne's The Flying Fortress Story and see if it has a published code. Some do and some don't. JIm :-) [signature]

Dear Jim, Thank you for the information on "Shady Lady". I've been ask to build this aircraft by the pilots son. I'm trying to get the facts but all I know is the Group was based somewhere in the Manchester area, Lanchire County near Oldham or Lytham. The son remembers dad saying something about an airplane in his group crashing onto a school killing everyone in the bomber and the children in the school house. So I guess my first question should be what Group operated out of this area. The pilot was John Walter Melia. The aircraft almost has to be a G model B-17 since his tour was late in the war. He must have been 8th A.F. since he was in England. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Jim. Tails up, Wiggy [signature]

Wiggy...I am afraid you are asking the wrong person about England....I flew from Italy, in the 15th. I do know my way around these forums and I help where I can. You do not say where you are, but, I am not asking. I live in Phoenix,AZ. I suggest you go the Grtoups by Region and see where the B-17s were based in the First and Third Air Divisions, if you are familiar with England. Jim :-) [signature]

Jim, I just want to thank you for your input. My outfit is based in Hanover, Pa. I ran into one of your 15th A.F. guys in Fairfield. David Alexander Warne served with the 416th Bomb Squadron, 99th Bomb Group. His beat-up B-17F was called "Deacons Deal". He was the ball turret gunner. Still full of guts all these years later. I asked him if he ever swapped battle stations with other members in his crew. He said no one else wanted to fly the ball! When I get my scanner running again, I'll post an image of a B-17 just for you. Unless you would prefer a B-24 instead. Tails up, Wiggy [signature]

Wiggy...if you see David Warne again...ask him if he knows about the 99th BG Historical Society...and also if he knows of the book Diamondbacks The history of the 99th BG (H). If not, get back to me,please. I would prefer a B-17 picture,please. I tell you what, I'll forward a 416th B-17 formation, which is covered with mud...you can just barely maek out the insignia. Sen Please send me your email address to [url "mailto:jpeters140@cox.net"]jpeters140@cox.net[/url] JIm :-) [signature]

ORIGINAL: Wiggy

Static, I'm very interested in your "Shady Lady" model. I have been asked to build this aircraft by the pilots son. I need the AC#, squadron and group code information. Where did you find the decals? Pull the chocks and help me out :) Thanx... Tails up, Wiggy [signature]

 
 
Don't know if this will reach you or not being you asked the question in 2003.
I found a website from my High School which had information about The Shady Lady.
 
Here is the link
http://www.jamaicahighschool.org/ALUM/TIMCAP/WADE/wade.htm
It has a few pictures that you may like.
 Iggy

John Ingianni, MSgt, Ret. USAF 1968 - 1989

Half Brother
Sgt Wallace Robert Ingianni
305th BG, 365th BS
A/C# 43-38803 XK-O, B-17 G
Pilot Lt. James E. Lauback
MACR # 13877
9 KIA April 10, 1945
A/C crashed near Wilsnack , GE