Hi, all,
I saw this diorama up for auction on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/pro-built-b17-crash-diorama-148-scale-/330948215074
and if I didn’t know better, I’d say this is the original diorama Shep built for Monogram, with the B-17G. I’m comparing it to the brochure, and it sure looks like it. If it is, someone’s going to get a piece of modeling history.
It’s a copy. Compare the details from pictures in his book.
it says in the description "this will take over 30 days to build, you get plane, base, and crew
you can get any squadron you like,"
I found it tough to tell, because the photos are only from the right side. If there had been a shot from the left side, with the nose art, and the crewman’s jacket, it would be clearer.
The seller is not accepting PMs; I wanted to ask him about the provenance of the diorama.
Baron, do you have the book, “how to build dioramas” by the master? The reproduction shown is not a bad copy, I should be so skilled, but there subtle differences, the flak/bullet holes on the tail, the position and size of the mission tally, the lack of exposed aluminum on the leading edge past the outboard right engine, and the most prominent feature, the aircraft name, “Scat 2” vs “In the Pink”. Sorry to be the party crasher!
I remember buying that B-17 kit and there was a booklet with images of that Dio. that’s what made me want to start building diorama’s. Its been a long time since I saw the original, but the reproduction is certainly a good one and very close if not spot on.
Bigfoot’s post clarified this auction perfectly. The seller is using photos of Shep’s diorama, to advertise his services to build a diorama for the highest bidder.
I have to concede, I got really excited over the possibility that one of Shep’s originals had surfaced for sale.