who makes a good one? like with engraved panel lines, where applicable, etc etc…
You have two choices and only two (with some slight variations). #1 is the Monogram B-17G which has a relatively nice interior and rasied panel lines which is actually fairly accurate for a B-17. #2 is the Revell B-17F which does not have much inside and also features raised panel lines. These days we see Revell-Monogram as a single entity but in the 1970s when these two kits were mastered this was not the case. Both kits appeared at virtually the same time and when Monogram saw the close similarity of parts between the two their comment to Revell was “Don’t let it happen again.” As time passed Monogram and Revell merged and became one but the kits still have individual charateristics. There are plenty of aftermarket items to dress them up from Eduard and Verlinden PE sets to True Details interiors and wheels and Cutting Edge nose conversions and Koster conversions for the C,D and E. Also Paragon does some really nice stuff including a bomb bay, flap sets and crew door sets. Hippy Ed should be coming along shortly, he just acquired most of these things for one of his projects. Right now the G is readily availible in hobby shops but the F can only be found at swap meets and on Evil Bay. Shortly it will be making a comback so if you have patience you should be able to find it within the year on store shelves again. From time to time you can find a Clear version on Evil Bay but you will pay dearly for one of those. One last item to discuss is the Pro-Modeler kits, these are the standard Monogram G kits with some PE parts added and some different crew men that are real nice. Like the Clear kit, you will pay a healthy price for one of these kits. Check my web site under the “Allies” tab for a construction/conversion feature of an F to an E.
Swanny is correct (as usual) the R/M kit (#5600) is a decent kit of the B-17G. The interior is fairly well detailed although a few parts are inaccurate. Verlinden offers the “Update” set for this which has alot of photo-etch & resin parts including the Cheyenne tail turret. This B-17 represents the early “G” model as it has the side-by- side waist guns (non staggered) As Swanny had mentioned, I recently acquired the Paragon Designs open Bomb bay, crew access doors & flaps. These are a wonderful addition to the kit & I highly recommend them. true Details offer 3 sets cockpit, Waist gunners & the Bombadier’s compartment. all are fairly well detailed. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Eddie
Thanks for the info. I am about to beging a b-17g project, and as a newbie/returning to modeling I also want to try my hand at a detail set, perhaps the eduard PE or true detail resin kits (also looked into verlinden/paragon designs as mentioned above but couldn’t find them - will keep searching). I don’t want to do a conversion, but any suggestions on PE vs. resin in this case? The Eduard and True Details kits both look amazing, but since I have experience in neither area which do you (or anyone else) recommend? Although I’ll probably mess it up a bit (hey, that’s learning right?) I still want to begin to explore this world of detail. Just unsure of where to start and which to choose in this (or other) cases where both are available. Thanks all! [;)]
jcfay, I have the Paragon Designs open Bomb bay, crew accesss doors & the Flaps set for the 1/48 B-17. Here’s a thread I just posted on check it out http://www.finescale.com/FSM/CS/forums/551264/ShowPost.aspx Also, I posted pics of the bombbay & flaps on this one: http://www.finescale.com/FSM/CS/forums/536276/ShowPost.aspx HTH I do have the True Detail sts (cockpit & Bombadier’s Compartment) These are fairly nice but, require a bit of skill to work with since there is a slight fit problem & alot of sanding required. The rear bulkhead in the pit has tiny mounting brackets for 2 bottles & are quite fragile so, one has to be careful with this. The instructions aren’t very clear on the assembly of the instrument Panel (hood) The Eduard PE set will be a good addition to this. Also, the Verlinden set as well
Hippy-Ed - thanks so much for the reply. Is there any overlap between these different sets? For instance, does Verlinden’s update set have some or all of the same parts/pieces as True Details/Eduards/Paragons? Or do they all cover separate territory in the aircraft? thanks again!
I’m glad tht you asked… The Verlinden set is an update set that replaces inaccurate kit parts. It has resin & PE details for inside & out. (PE consists of window frames for cockpit, nose, Cheyenne tail turret, doors, hinges & hardware, including bomb bay doors. Resin: exterior: Superchargers, landing gear struts & tail wheel. Interior: Guns, B/N seats, misc. equip & panels. The bombadier’s panel is more correct than the True Details IMHO) They share some of the parts but, each has something a little different to offer. Eduards offers PE for the cockpit 2) instrument panels (1- for the “F” 1-for “G”), seatbelts, radio room & ball turret armour plating along with waist gunner stuff. (I can’t speak on the TD set for waist guns) The Paragon open bomb bay is the bomb! (pun intended) and a great addition. This is a “Must have”. There is some overlap between the TD, Verlinden & Eduards but, not too much. I also have the TD wheel set as well as some Koster sets.
well, it looks like I’m just gonna have to bite the bullet and BUY IT ALL! I’ve always loved this darn plane, built it when I was a kid, and now that I’m getting back into modelling I guess its as good an acid test to try the waters with PE, resin, and all of the mods available. Eddie - how did you arrange the purchase through paragon - email? Did you end up getting the crew doors too, and what was your total? I guess I’ll be making some currency conversions too… Please let me know how your project is going too. Thanks again - Jon [:D]
Hey Jon, The Paragon sets cost me $49.07 (all 3 @ once) PAR48052 Crew Access Doors PAR48103 B-17 Flaps PAR48104 Open Bomb Bay I ordered direct from Neil: paragondeisgns@hotmail.co.uk (tell him I sent ya) the True Details were bought thru squadron.com TD48508 B-17 Bombadier set $8.96 TD48509 B-17 Cockpit set $11.46 TD48510 B-17 Waist Gunner set $8.96 TD48010 wheel set $1.96 Squadron has the Verlinden set VE0718 $33.96 Eduards EU48207 B-17 Interior $13.46 (EU48208 Exterior set) Not to mention their clear Canopy sets SQ9551 & SQ9552 both at $2.96 ea. If ya want to contact me off board that’s kewl too. Eddie
I built the Revell B-17F (Memphis Belle) Several years ago. I added lots of interior details (scratch built wiring, bulkheads, floors, etc). It never occured to me that all the detail would be hidden once the fuselage was closed up (doh!). The exterior of the model still looks great though. I am very happy with how it turned out.
I also have the Monogram B-17G hiding in my closet waiting for its turn to come.
yup, i know, i hate it that work just ends up covered up in the long run sometimes. take some good pictures, i guess as u go. this is going to end up being one pricy build, but i’m sure it’s going to be a whole lot of fun! Ed - muchos gracias for all of the help. i’ve placed the squadron order (course i had to buy a couple of kits at the same time ;-)) and i’ll contact paragon to get the flaps and doors. forward me some pix of your fortress when you’re done too. everyone have a good thansgiving! i’m planning on getting some real building done too! 
p.s. any suggestions for new tools to work with resin/photoetch? i’m thinking i might get me a dremel. maybe i’ll put that puppy on my xmas list!
Jon, glad ta hear ya ordered some stuff from Squadron. Paragon also has other stuff too for it like the prop governers. Anyways, A Dremel is a good tool to have, Razor saw which is a “must have” tool for resin, needle files. various grit sanding sticks, (I just picked up a set of 36 emory boards/ nail files at a Dollar Tree Store) a bottle of Nail Polish remover will come in handy since you’ll be working with super glue. (Ca glue) As for bending the PE sets, I use a couple of straight razor blades. Oh, you may want to get some heavy plastic & cover the carpet around your work area (or rip it out) BEware of THe Carpet Monster!! LoL… A couple things I find Helpful is my magnifying glass light on a swing arm & a small vise as some pieces are hard to see. The vise helps to hold things steady. Resin is alot of fun but, it’s fragile so, go easy with it. get you some dust masks & remember, resin is not good for the lungs.
I just want to add something to one of Hippy Ed’s comments, he mentioned the waist guns and I strongly suggest looking at the Aires M2 Browning resin guns. These include a PE fret and two options for barrels and boy do they look nice. This is from one I built for my PB4Y-1 conversion and it works just as well for the B-17.
A few other tools of interest are some magnifying glasses, 2 or 3 power, from the dollar store and a bottle of accelerator for your superglue.
As for hiding all your wonderful detail work, that’s why I grabbed up a clear fuselage side for my B-17G. Dude sold one to me for $20.00, can you believe that?
Swanny, I think I said I couldn’t comment on the Waist Gunner’s section of the TD Set (as I don’t have it) BUt hey, thanks for poppin’ your two cents worth in 
The Aires guns look sharp. THe TD set has the breech & ya need the kit barrel for it. I had purchased a couple of the Koster guns which i’ll have to dig out & compare them… Oh, my G.F. just ordered a Digital Camera for me so, I’m draggin’ my tailhook as we type …LoL… so, pics are soon to be posted!! WooHoo…
Many thanks Swanny, Ed, everyone. I have really been bitten by this one. I’m going to have to go with the paragon, and now the Aires Guns are on my list. Very nice. Wish I had half a clear fuselage! Many I’ll install a mini-camera attached to a dedicated LCD inside the fuselage, with interior lighting, and sound effects, and… Happy holidays all [:D]
LoL Jon, a lil bit of over kil on the camera but hey, Might be somethingt o look into I just dug out my Koster “50s” They are marked 1/48 but, matched them up to the TD Guns & I’d say the pack was mis-marked!! They’ve gotta be 1/72. Oh well, might use 'em on my PT-boat… Peace & Happy Turkey Day to y’all…