Waist Gunners Aircrew Sculpture
A Tribute to B-17 Waist Gunners
The Waist Gunners Aircrew Sculpture by British sculptor Peter Close is a moving tribute to the brave aircrew of the B-17 Flying Fortress bombers who served during the Second World War. The sculpture captures a quiet moment before take-off as two waist gunners rest on the grass beside their parachutes, reflecting the camaraderie and tension experienced by bomber crews during wartime missions.
Waist gunners played a vital defensive role aboard B-17 bombers, protecting the aircraft from enemy fighters during dangerous bombing missions over occupied Europe. This WWII aviation sculpture honours the courage and resilience of those airmen who faced intense combat conditions in the skies.
Historically Accurate WWII Aircrew Details
This detailed B-17 aircrew sculpture depicts the waist gunners wearing authentic World War II flying gear. The figures are shown in B-3 sheepskin jackets, A-2 trousers, A-6A boots, and flying helmets, carefully sculpted to reflect the equipment used by American bomber crews during the war.
One gunner sits writing in a notebook while the other plays with a small terrier, creating a poignant and human moment that contrasts with the danger of their upcoming mission. These small narrative details give the military aviation sculpture a powerful sense of character and storytelling.
Cold Cast Bronze Aviation Sculpture
The sculpture is produced using the cold cast bronze technique, which combines bronze powder with resin to create a material that closely resembles solid bronze while allowing exceptional detail to be preserved.
This process highlights the intricate textures of the uniforms, equipment and parachutes, giving the bronze aircrew sculpture depth and realism. The rich bronze finish enhances the historic feel of the piece.
- Length 44cm / 17in
- Weight 3kg
- Made of cold cast bronze
- Limited to an edition of 250
Discover more military and aviation sculptures by Peter Close, celebrating historic pilots, aircraft and moments in aviation history.