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Glenn, we seem to think along the same lines. I started building my collection of military aircraft stationed in Tennessee - active or reserve - in 2016. Since I build almost exclusively in 72nd scale, that rules out some subjects due to the size of the resultant model, or the lack of a kit in that scale. So far I have 34 finished models with several kits yet to build. Shelf space prevents me from building the big ones. That PBY just barely fits on the shelf. The variety of markings over the years led me to make some of my own decals, as well as buying some custom-made ones. All my models are based on photos I have collected, mainly from the web, but some from other sources I belong to the IPMS*Memphis chapter. We meet once a month in one of 2 locations in either Cordova, TN or Olive Branch, MS -since half of our members live in OB. BTW, you do excellent work with the models.

WOOF - !!! Love the G-sel. That is a magnificent bit of work. Please, please bring 'er along to the Omaha Nats, that we may get a closer look.

I finally found this C-17 kit at a Hobbytown in Flowood, MS. It seemed a difficult kit to find for me until I ran across it. Thanks to Draw Decals for having markings for Memphis Belle XI of the National Guard unit here in Memphis. She is usually at the local Blue Angel shows around here.

I hadn't thought of going in depth with this build, just doing one of each airfield, but then Sword had this cool T-1A from VT-9 that was based in Millington in 1962.

Next was a B-52G from Blytheville, AR. Blytheville started as a primary training base, closed, then reopened in the mid 50's with a B-57 unit. SAC took it over, and had the 52s until the early 90s. This is Miss Piggy from the late 70s/early 80s. Minicraft 1.144 "H" kit with a Golden Dragon "G" conversion kit. Only used the engines, external tanks, and rear fuselage plug (which had to be corrected). Made the under nose sensors from Milliput(fine for a four footer, never was happy with it.)

The third build is of a Stearman. It was based on a photo from the website of what is now McKellar Sipes airport in Jackson, TN, which started out as a primary training base. There were several such places in the area, though I can't remember the names offhand. It was only a partial picture, so I didn't guess at the serial. Revell 1.72 kit with a scratchbuilt cockpit.

The second build is from the base that sparked my interest. From cotton fields at Halls, TN, outside of Dyersburg, sprang a giant training base, that provided final training for B-17 crews headed to Europe. It was only operational for a few years, and closed immediately after the cessation of hostilities. Only the Norden bombsight storage building and maybe one hangar is left, along with the airstrip. This particular build is of the very first "F" production model that was based there in 1945. It was said to have crashed a year or so earlier during a test flight, but there is a photo of this bird at Dyersburg.

The first build wasn't the one that started my interest, but it got the ball rolling. Thanks to Sword for producing this kit, with ready made markings. It is a 1.72 T-28B, with markings for ATU-105 at Millington NAS in the 1950s. Neat little kit, though it had very weak landing gear. I tried making seat belts from Milliput, eh, won't do that again!