{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-b-17f-flying-fortress-model-plane-signed-by-seven-veteran-b-17-crewmen-scale-1-54","title":"Original U.S. WWII B-17F “Flying Fortress” Model Plane Signed by Seven Veteran B-17 Crewmen - Scale 1\/54","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Tail Gunner S\/SGT Roland L. Douglas, 351st Bomb Squadron, 100th Bomb Group, Prisoner of War from 12-31-44 to 4-29-45.\u003cbr\u003e- Jaus Avertt(?) 308th Bomb Group. Very difficult to read.\u003cbr\u003e- Art Buttro 388th B.T.(S.?)\u003cbr\u003e- John Walter, Pilot, 95th B.G.\u003cbr\u003e- Ray Miller, 452 B.G.\u003cbr\u003e- Marc Ogden, 301 B.G., 15th A.F.\u003cbr\u003e- Hood Metz (?) 99 B.G.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe B-17F is removable from its stand and sits on two wooden pegs. The base has a plaque reading:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBoeing\/USAAF\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eB-17F Flying Fortress\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScale: 1\/54\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe set on the stand measures 8 ½ x 23 ½ x 17”. Comes ready for further research and display.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43926802169925,"sku":"ONJR25OCGA154","price":395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR25OCGA154__1A.jpg?v=1761951989","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-b-17f-flying-fortress-model-plane-signed-by-seven-veteran-b-17-crewmen-scale-1-54","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}