My latest assembly project was a re-creation of “Meat Hound” a B-17F strategic bomber, assigned in 1943 to the 358th Bomb Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group stationed at Molesworth, UK during the still uncertain period of World War II.
At 1:48 scale this was the largest most unwieldy aircraft I have worked on. It took my fastidious nature several months to get the aircraft as close to “right” as I possibly could. All-in-all an enjoyable project as it took me back to watching “12 O’Clock High”, both the movie (1949) with Gregory Peck and the TV series (1964-67) with Frank Overton, Barney Phillips, Andrew Duggan and even a five-episode cameo by “Top Gun” star Tom Skerritt.
Those are among my good memories of nights in front of the television with my father (WWII non-aviator) and brother.
I decided on the “Meat Hound” version of the B-17F, as opposed to the “Memphis Belle” version (Most model kits give you more than one option.), seeing “The Belle” as a bit more Hollywood (Great movie in its own right!). I tend to go with less known versions – if possible; and in this case I was glad I did!
After researching a bit of the “Meat Hound’s” history, I’d like to dedicate this assembly to the those lost when the “Meat Hound” was severely wounded by enemy aircraft over Durgerdam, Netherlands on January 11, 1944.
In one of the tragic twists of war, the decision was made for the crew (minus pilot 1st Lt. Jack W. Watson) to bail out. Wilson was able to get what was left of “Meat Hound” back to England. But of those nine men who bailed out, four were captured, one evaded capture, and tragically, four men drowned when they landed in Amsterdam Bay in full parachute gear.
This post is dedicated to:
- 2nd Lt. Vance R. Colvin; Bachelor, Kansas – bombardier (KIA)
- S/Sgt. Samuel L. Rowland; Marion County, Indiana- engineer/top turret gunner (KIA) Sgt. William H. Fussner; Middle Valley, New York – right waist gunner (KIA)
- Sgt. Fred H. Booth; Shady Bend, Ohio – ball turret gunner (KIA)
Cranky Man's Lawn 
Mel, this is great work thank you. My uncle David Steele flew Meat Hound on her first mission to France on March 13, 1943. He then flew her on 6 other missions with the 423/306th. I am currently recording a podcast called the Meat Hound series and it is published on Spotify. I am in the process of recording the March 13th mission which I have broken into 3 parts and should be ready soon. I love this model so if you ever consider selling it I would love to have it for my museum. It is a fantastic piece thank you. Let me add this, in the waist gun for Meat Hounds first mission is the great Don Bevin who wrote the Stalag 17 play which became the movie etc etc. The Meat Hound has a great story to tell. Regards Gaspar Williams
LikeLike
Thanks for the kind words. This model build has gotten more attention from people I never met. Makes the effort all the more meaningful. I wouldn’t mind selling it, I would likely just build another. That being said,
it’s not a flawless piece and some license was taken on a few details. If you really want a version built, you can commission one. Not sure how that works though … BTW, I’m Mike, but hope you read Mel’s comments. Connections like his and yours makes this hobby all the more enjoyable. Good luck with the podcast!
You can reach me direct at mikeshortall@comcast.net
LikeLike
My uncle, Lt. John G. Leverton, navigator of Meat Hound, bailed out over the Zuider Zee and was captured by a German patrol boat. He spent the rest of the war as a prisoner in Stalag Luft Eintz in Barth, Germany. After the Russians captured the area, B-17s flew he and his comrades to freedom.
Thank you for your beautiful reconstruction and for honoring these heroes.
LikeLike
Mel … Thanks so much for the history! It means a lot that this means something to someone with a personal connection. Mike
LikeLike
Mike,
John Leverton did not know that after the bail out order was given Watson flew Meat Hound back to Metfield, England. Sometime in the 1980s, I obtained John’s files from the Air Force Records Center. It contained teletyped briefings and orders for all 9 combat missions he flew (not all in Meat Hound) from Molesworth and a photo of Meat Hound after it landed at an RAF fighter base. It was covered with fire retardant foam. When I gave the file to John he was stunned and angry that so many of his comrades had died after bailing out and that Watson spent that night safe in England. John also remembered every detail of the fighter attacks as Meat Hound returned from the Oschersleben mission. He said two engines were on fire and the crew had jettisoned all machine guns and any thing that could be tossed over board in an effort to maintain altitude. On that very cold January 11, 1944, he landed in the freezingly cold water of the Zuider Zee. If the Germans had not picked him up he would not have survived.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fascinating story … Your uncle was very lucky!
LikeLike
Nice job, and adding the history is the icing on this cake. That generation is almost gone and I feel honored to have been raised by them. Nearly every adult male in the neighborhood had been a combat veteran…and I count those well behind the lines, they ALL endured a hostile and harsh time regardless of their particular mission.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They had us view and dissect 12 O’clock High as a lesson in leadership in or leadership / management training. I remember watching that great show, Combat and Gallant Men, with Dad always adding “You know war, is not all glory.” Good looking result on your model. I still have a B-17 in the box that I bought for the boys, need to build that. I also have a nice sized model of the USS Missouri which I need to build but will put Iowa insignia on it.
Had a 90+ year old former B-17 pilot at our gym, never talked about it but his friends did, he flew 30 missions over Germany and then bombed Japan and later Korea. Lots of WW II anniversaries were coming up I asked him “Chuck” if he still hated the Germans and Jos, he said he did without hesitation. His friends told me to look up his unit and sure enough there e was with his crew in from of a B-17. He stopped coming to the gym of and on and I am sure he has passed by now, good guy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Bro … One of my since passed neighbors stated he was a waist gunner on B-17s. Taking a break from model craft for a bit, even though I have my next projection hand.
Going to hang the 17 “in flight” in the office. Cannot wait to hear the critiques by my home decorator.
LikeLike