Figarti will be custom making my Uncle's B17 for me (1 Viewer)

[Louis Badolato]

A couple of years ago, when Figarti released their B17, Rick Wang told me that he would be willing to custom make me the B17 my Uncle Joe flew (and died) in during WWII. I tried to find out information about my Uncle Joe via the internet, but had no idea what I was doing, and got nowhere.

Over the past weekend, retired Major Zach Bogues ("Zach" on this forum), who is experienced in tracking down information about 8th Airforce Bomber crewman, found out all the missing information about my Uncle, who was KIA on May 7, 1944 as the Radio Operator the B17F "Rikki Tikki Tavi" of the 339th Squadron, 96th Bomb Group on a mission to bomb Berlin, and his friend Geoff Ward provided me with a photograph of the Rikki Tikki Tavi (all this information and photos of the plane, the airfield, and my Uncle in uniform are posted on a thread in the Historical Discussion subforum).

I immediately passed the information along to Rick, who has generously agreed to stand by his offer from years ago, and build me my Uncle's plane. Rick, I can't thank you enough.:smile2:

 

[Currahee Chris]

that's pretty flippin sweet!! Way to go Figarti

Hey Rick- I spent quite a bit of time in a Bradley AFV- I can give you some pictures if you'd like- can you hook me up?? ^&grin^&grin

This is a wonderful story guys- am looking forward to the pictures.
CC

 

[jbonzo1]

That's very cool and a great tribute to your uncle. Kudos to Rick.

 

[Mitch]

I agree, that is a great thing to do. Look forward to seeing the pics
Mitch

 

[ecuriel]

Great story. I know Rick wll do a great job!

 

[Panzer]

Louis,
Thanks for sharing your history! Amazing piece of history of one of the most dangerous duties of the entire war! Casualty rates among American and RAF strategic bomber crews were among the highest of any military occupational specialty. Every member of a bomber crew knew that odds of completing the twenty-five-mission requirement in were very slim. Kudos to Figarti for taking on the project and to Zach for tracking down the historical details.
Semper Fi!
Rick

 

[Northgate Woods]

Louis mate,
Outstanding. I could not be more please for you cobber. I remember listening to your family history on our trip up to West Point in your car at last years NY Symposium.
A true tribute to a great serviceman and a great momento for you -- a great family man.
Cheers Howard

 

[Louis Badolato]

Louis mate,
Outstanding. I could not be more please for you cobber. I remember listening to your family history on our trip up to West Point in your car at last years NY Symposium.
A true tribute to a great serviceman and a great momento for you -- a great family man.
Cheers Howard

Thanks Howard!:smile2: That was a fun drive up to West Point. Look forward to seeing you in Chicago!

 

[6th Wisconsin]

Can't wait to see that Louis!! What a great offer from Figarti.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

After reading the version of your uncle's last bombing raid in your book, it is really good to hear the true account and that a family unknown can be put to rest.

Terry

 

[spartan71]

A couple of years ago, when Figarti released their B17, Rick Wang told me that he would be willing to custom make me the B17 my Uncle Joe flew (and died) in during WWII. I tried to find out information about my Uncle Joe via the internet, but had no idea what I was doing, and got nowhere.

Over the past weekend, retired Major Zach Bogues ("Zach" on this forum), who is experienced in tracking down information about 8th Airforce Bomber crewman, found out all the missing information about my Uncle, who was KIA on May 7, 1944 as the Radio Operator the B17F "Rikki Tikki Tavi" of the 339th Squadron, 96th Bomb Group on a mission to bomb Berlin, and his friend Geoff Ward provided me with a photograph of the Rikki Tikki Tavi (all this information and photos of the plane, the airfield, and my Uncle in uniform are posted on a thread in the Historical Discussion subforum).

I immediately passed the information along to Rick, who has generously agreed to stand by his offer from years ago, and build me my Uncle's plane. Rick, I can't thank you enough.:smile2:

Rick, keeping his promise And to cater And make a very special piece to someone.. Does not surprise me. He is approachable, A tremendous asset, and a gift to our hobby. Other manufacturers are friendly to a degree, But, with Rick it is so much more, He will always respond To any questions, or problems you might have, quickly. With Rick there is always that personal touch, And I myself will always have Confidence, That the Figarti Way, Is the Best Way. Because whatever happens, it is/ will be done perfectly to our satisfaction.

 

[Louis Badolato]

After reading the version of your uncle's last bombing raid in your book, it is really good to hear the true account and that a family unknown can be put to rest.

Terry

And the reality of his last mission is even more heroic and tragic than the fiction.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Rick, keeping his promise And to cater And make a very special piece to someone.. Does not surprise me. He is approachable, A tremendous asset, and a gift to our hobby. Other manufacturers are friendly to a degree, But, with Rick it is so much more, He will always respond To any questions, or problems you might have, quickly. With Rick there is always that personal touch, And I myself will always have Confidence, That the Figarti Way, Is the Best Way. Because whatever happens, it is/ will be done perfectly to our satisfaction.

Rick and his father James Wang are terrific people who have been great for the hobby. For the most part, this Hobby is full of terrific people. From manufacturers, like the Wangs, the Neilsons, John Jenkins, Richard Walker, the Osens, to dealers, like our hosts, the Nevilles, Tim Tyler, George Guerrerro and Matt Murphy (to whom I recently appologized because of something I had incorrectly been led to believe he did), and a terrific bunch of collectors like Zach, who helped me out with research about my Uncle, and all the other great guys on this forum, a better bunch of people would be hard to imagine.

 

[Warrior]

to dealers, like our hosts, the Nevilles, Tim Tyler, George Guerrerro and Matt Murphy (to whom I recently appologized because of something I had incorrectly been led to believe he did)

Kudos to you for that Louis, Matt had nothing, as in absolutely nothing, to do with what particular situation and I am glad to see you patched things up with him.

Nice to see this project come to life for you and your family, I had an Uncle who was a crewman on a B17 who was shot down twice, once over Italy and luckily for him, he spoke fluent Italian, so he escaped; the second time he was not so lucky as he was shot down over Germany and German is not his native tongue.........................

 

[wayne556517]

Thats awesome mate i look forward to you sending some pics to Brad to post on here once it arrives.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Kudos to you for that Louis, Matt had nothing, as in absolutely nothing, to do with what particular situation and I am glad to see you patched things up with him.

Nice to see this project come to life for you and your family, I had an Uncle who was a crewman on a B17 who was shot down twice, once over Italy and luckily for him, he spoke fluent Italian, so he escaped; the second time he was not so lucky as he was shot down over Germany and German is not his native tongue.........................

Shot down twice . . . now that is a brave man. I think if I had the guts to get shot down once, I would definitely have sought reassignment to a duty closer to the ground!

 

[Warrior]

Shot down twice . . . now that is a brave man. I think if I had the guts to get shot down once, I would definitely have sought reassignment to a duty closer to the ground!

My late Uncle was a man's man, tough as nails, was a POW till the war ended, I miss him everyday...............