Went to a local show and got an Academy 1/72 B-17G as a door prize[:P] I can see it could use some diamond tred tires, it has interior bulkheads but little ribbing, a photoetch set will no doubt help. Resin for the bombadier position & door guns? I’d like to try something totally different and not install parts that can’t be seen[8-] I haven’t decided on the paint yet,the box showes NMF, i guess they had OD finish too? Off I go for research. The 9cyl. engine fronts don’t look too bad but can be seen through, recomendations??? New decals too I guess. Any help is[bow] thanks… G.L. (and thanks paloose area IPMS for the show too)
You might want to check ur references on the diamond treaded tires - in all the years I’ve been modeling and/or working as a mechanic on warbirds/tankers, I can’t ever remember seeing a B-17 with diamond treaded tires. SC (Smooth Contour) and straight ribbed yes, diamond treaded no. In fact, the largest diamond treaded tires I’ve ever seen are a set that was mounted on an A/B 26 airtanker. And they’re quite a bit smaller than the tires on a B-17.
As far as the see thru engines, simply make a disc that fits the nacelle behind the engine like a firewall and glue it in. Paint it black or chromate green and truck on.
This is not meant to be a contradictory post. I am just answering part of your question.
True Details offers these and these in 1/72 wheel sets.
Squadron offers this vac canopy for the Academy kit. And this set and this set for the Hasegawa kit. They could probably be used on the Academy kit as well.
Here is a flap set from Eduard. And here is another.
And, last but not least, is this set for the B-17F that would probably work okay for the “G”. It appears to have everything except the vac canopies for your build. Resin and photoetch.
You’re on your own for decals. [:D]
Qmiester, diamond-tred tires were used on B-17’s as there is an example of one sitting in the Pioneer Air Museum in Fairbanks, Alaska that came off of a B-17F that went down in 1943 near the village of Ruby. They were used during WW2, but probably not after the war as the other tread examples became more widely used.
As Montgumery Burns would say “Execelent,Execelent” Thanks for the help guys. I love the research and gathering goodies for a build.
G.L.
Here’s my 2 cents. I model mostly 1/72 multi engine prop jobs and my big pet peeve is that the cowling flaps are never provided open, which they will just about always be on birds on the ground. But it’s easy to fix with an 1/8" or so wide piece of soda can, notched at regular intervals and bent just so. Over time I’ve put together a long list of dimensions, courtesy of my calculator, my vernier micrometer and dumb luck. I’d be happy to dig out the -17 if you want. It’s always a pair per engine, usually five flaps. Got to grind a little into the nacelle, but not much.
Check my C-54 in progress on the SAC GB.