Lewis Pruneau's Remagan Bridge shadowbox.

[Rhino]

Lewis Pruneqau's Remagan Bridge shadowbox.

I met Lewis at the 2011 Omaha Nationals. I didn't know who he was. He was loading something bulky into his pick-up and I stopped to help. I couldn't bear to see a Man struggle. His Hindenburg shadow box was so big you went inside and sat down on a bench to view it. The old radio broadcast was playing from the unscheduled thermal event at Lakehurst, New Jersey. Absolutely COOL!
An interesting and talented Modeler! I was well pleased to meet one of the guys that inspired me as a much younger Child, in the flesh! Too late for Shep Paine or Tom Daniels. Monogram (anything) models are still among my favorites!

I have no expectation Lew would remember me. Please give Him my regards nonetheless.
Judging. Not unlike plumbing. Runs hot & cold.

Thanks for sharing, Bob! Heartfelt good well wishes to you!
ldguy :salute

 

[moon puppy]

Lewis Pruneqau's Remagan Bridge shadowbox.

Would love to see more photos, what's he doing with them? Getting published in a mag or something?

 

[bob letterman]

Lewis Pruneqau's Remagan Bridge shadowbox.

Would love to see more photos, what's he doing with them? Getting published in a mag or something?

Moon Pup, Lewis does not own a camera! He has always brought his dioramas to either me or Verlinden to photograph. I have some photos of his older work. For many years now, Lewis only does commission work for wealthy guys who collect his dioramas. Neither of us have photographed those. I could dig up what I have and post them. Verlinden moved to Riviera Beach Florida a few months ago, and I have moved to Springfield, Lewis has nobody to photograph his models anymore. I understand that Verlinden pitched thousands of his photographs that he used in his magazines and books when he retired. At least that is what I heard? What a shame if that's true! He gave Lewis all his model tools, paints and glues and references. He no longer models. Again, that is what I am told by mutual acquaintances.

I have something like tens of thousands of model photos on my computer. I'll see what I can find of Lewis' dioramas and post them as I find them. BTW, I have passed on all your comments to Lewis today.

Bob

 

[jeaton01]

Lewis Pruneqau's Remagan Bridge shadowbox.

Here is a picture of what is probably Lewis Pruneau's 1/32 B-52. It was given to me by a friend to which it is signed by Lewis. The photo which I photographed is about 3 feet wide in format.

 

[bob letterman]

Yes, that is Lewis scratch built B-52. I remember a photo of it where he stood it on wingtip in front of him. Wingtip to wingtip was 6 feet, it was almost as tall as Lewis! That is still in the SAC museum in Omaha. He gave it to them way back in the 1980s. Colonel Marvin Howell, a wing commander of S.A.C. and a good modeler himself, helped with the arrangements. He was a very good friend to both Lewis and me. He passed away recently. I have a couple of his aircraft models in the museum downstairs.

Bob

 

[Piet]

Who isn't a fan of the BIG 4 when it comes to dorama's......
(If you started model building in the mid 80's)

Here a nice video ........ mentioning the Remagen Bridge shadow box and B-52 in this :
https://www.pbs.org/video/wsiu-expressions-lewis-pruneau/

 

[moon puppy]

Lewis Pruneqau's Remagan Bridge shadowbox.

Here is a picture of what is probably Lewis Pruneau's 1/32 B-52. It was given to me by a friend to which it is signed by Lewis. The photo which I photographed is about 3 feet wide in format.

1:32?

 

[Heavens Eagle]

Lewis Pruneqau's Remagan Bridge shadowbox.

Here is a picture of what is probably Lewis Pruneau's 1/32 B-52. It was given to me by a friend to which it is signed by Lewis. The photo which I photographed is about 3 feet wide in format.

I believe I saw this build way back in the '80's! It was huge and amazing! I went down to Soonercon that year which was an IPMS regional and it swept the goodies if I remember correctly.

The display was so big that it set in a corner all by itself. It definitely wasn't ignored!

 

[bob letterman]

Lewis Pruneqau's Remagan Bridge shadowbox.

Here is a picture of what is probably Lewis Pruneau's 1/32 B-52. It was given to me by a friend to which it is signed by Lewis. The photo which I photographed is about 3 feet wide in format.

I believe I saw this build way back in the '80's! It was huge and amazing! I went down to Soonercon that year which was an IPMS regional and it swept the goodies if I remember correctly.

The display was so big that it set in a corner all by itself. It definitely wasn't ignored!

Hey Paul, I talked to Lewis tonight! He said you were right! He entered that contest in Oklahoma back in the 1980s!

Bob

 

[Rhino]

Thanks for the PBS video Pete! I wonder how Lewis would receive a phone call from an anonymous admirer?

 

[Heavens Eagle]

I was thinking the same thing Chris. Maybe Bob could ask him the next time they visit.

 

[bob letterman]

Thanks for the PBS video Pete! I wonder how Lewis would receive a phone call from an anonymous admirer?

Rhino!

I called Lewis and asked him if it was OK to give out his phone number. I told him you guys were all nice people. He said that he is not home very often during the day, so he would rather you write him a snail mail.

If you are still interested:

[hide]Lewis Pruneau
302 South Fourth Street
Ste. Genevieve, Missouri
63670[/hide]

Bob

 

[moon puppy]

That's cool, I hid the address from public view, only members can read it.

 

[bob letterman]

That's cool, I hid the address from public view, only members can read it.

Thanks MP, I'm sure Lewis will appreciate that!

Dad

 

[AndyFettes]

Hi all,

I had the pleasure at meeting Lewis at the Chicago show with his Hinderburg diorama or can I say experience It is the first and probably the last time I will actually sit in a diorama !!!!!

He is without doubt a top man and more than willing to chat about his work but I must say for a model legend he is the most humble man and shrugged his shoulders when I heaped praise upon him

 

[bob letterman]

Hi all,

I had the pleasure at meeting Lewis at the Chicago show with his Hinderburg diorama or can I say experience It is the first and probably the last time I will actually sit in a diorama !!!!!

He is without doubt a top man and more than willing to chat about his work but I must say for a model legend he is the most humble man and shrugged his shoulders when I heaped praise upon him

Hey Andy!

That was definitely the Lewis Pruneau that I have known for forty years! Wonderful guy! I've sat in that contraption myself! Incredible, isn't it?

Bob

 

[Rhino]

"Oh the Humanity, Ladies and Gentlemen. I can't talk anymore............."
Absolutely amazing!
I will be writing Lewis a letter. He deserves to know about the impact his models have made on younger (?!?!) model maniacs!!
ldguy :salute

 

[Brokeneagle]

Another great diorama from Lewis but so sad to hear the rest of the story

As you know Bob he has always been a one of my favourite diorama builders, so please say hello from me!
I met him at Mastercon 2 in 1993 and had the privilege to speak with him for some time. As I have mentioned previously his U-BOAT diorama was my personal inspiration for years and the driver behind creating my own diorama.

A true legend!

Ian.

 

[Iron Mike]

Check out today's Deal Of The Day at Sprue Brothers. B)

http://store.spruebrothers.com/product_p/ver0007.htm

:drinks

 

[bob letterman]

Wow!!!!! That thing is 35 years old! A genuine antique!