[Graphic] Snapshots from the 464th Bombardment Group.
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Home >> Flak >> Featured Artists >> Tony Muse, Modeler >> "Pantanella Pattie", page 2

The 464th Bomb Group in WWII - Featured Artist

Tony Muse, Modeler
1000 Willow Bend, Cleburne, TX 76031
Ph. 817-641-9061, email: tony@customwarbirds.com
Website: www.customwarbirds.com
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The "Pantanella Pattie"
continued from page 1.
      After the black and white pre-shading, the model is ready for the base aluminum coat of paint. I used Alclad’s Chrome for this B-24. [Photo] The model is ready to be painted an aluminum color.
     Instead of creating decals for the rudders, I decided to create the insignia with masking tape.



     After this, I added de-icing boots with many linear feet of masking tape to the leading edges of the wings, rudders and elevator (there is no photo of this particular stage). 		[Photo] The rudders are masked by hand prior to painting.
[Photo] The rudders are painted with the Group's insignia.
     Decals were printed at home using my Alps MD-1300 printer, and then carefully applied. Slight weathering was added and we have a finished B-24J that "could" have served in the 464th BG, 778th BS. [Photo] The U.S. Roundels were printed on Tony's Alps MD-1300 printer. [Photo] The port side, rear, of the model.
     John didn’t have a specific aircraft in mind to be recreated, that gave me a little creative latitude. John flew sixteen missions, so, I placed the appropriate number of bomb icons representing the completed missions on the nose of the model. John's pilot, on most missions, was Lt. James Evans, and I thought that the 15th Air Force logo would look nice on the nose as well. [Photo] The fine detail on the aircraft nose are shown here.
     Wendy Butler, webmaster for the 464th and the other zplace2b.com websites was kind enough to volunteer her graphic arts expertise to create custom artwork for the nose-art. We collectively thought that a "babe" would be the obvious choice and that a regional flavor would be appropriate. Thus, "Pantanella Pattie" was born. Since John is a retired minister, we thought we would "keep her clothes on." : ) Thanks Wendy, "Pattie" looks great! [Photo] The starboard view of the model show the custom nose-art.
     Because John served as a bombardier, displaying the bombay doors in the open position was a must. [Photo] The bombay doors are shown in the open position.
     The overhead view of the model's port side. [Photo] An overhead view of the model's port side.
     I asked John if he remembered what squadron gave the 464th fighter escort. He replied proudly, "Yes! the Red-Tailed Tuskegee Airmen." They were the first African-American fighter squadron. Besides that, they were also able to claim that no bomber was ever lost while under their escort. I decided to add the 1/72 P-51C to John's display. It is flying escort above the B-24, both are mounted on the same base. I mounted a graphic resembling a brass plate with the inscription "In Good Company" along with a printout of the 15th AF patch. I then covered them with a piece of Plexiglas. [Photo] John with the model display created by Tony Muse.
     The photo, right, is from a talk that John gave at a local university where he shared stories from both his life in the service, and as a missionary in Colombia. It just so happened that I had just completed "The Green Hornet" at the time of his talk, so I brought it along. "The Green Hornet" was destined for the 464th BG 2004 reunion in Mobile, AL. I shipped it as I was unable to take it to the reunion in person. Charles Skinner reported that the model didn't travel too well. The delivery service must have crushed the box - causing a break down the fuselage. The Group glued it back together but I'm sure that the damage was still visible. The Group voted not to sell it but donated it to a museum in Monroeville, AL, instead. The news was very disheartening to me, but Charles said that the Group enjoyed it very much anyway. [Photo] John with both the model displays that were created by Tony Muse.
     For more information on how to to place an order for one of Tony's models, please visit his website at www.customwarbirds.com.


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