After building many 1/48 scale Revell and Monogram B-17s over the years, I am doing something different, a 1/72 ProModeler B-17. The last time I built a Revell 1/72 B-17 was their Memphis Belle kit back in the 70’s. All I can say about this new kit is WOW! It has parts for almost every version of an F to a G. It would be impressive if they put this much interior detail into the “visible” 1/48 B-17. They include parts for a “Mickey” or PFF Pathfinder with the radar dome in place of the ball turret. My Dad always talked about the Pathfinder’s, so I am going to build mine as a 570th Squadron PFF. I can’t seem to find any photos of a 570th PFF, so for now it will not have any specific markings other than the DI fuselage code, Square J on the wing and tail and yellow wing and nose stripe. I am going to dig through the 390th database to see if I can at least come up with a fuselage letter and tail number.
I ordered this kit from an e-bay store. It was supposed to be the new Revell kit in the “Little Miss Mischief” markings on the box. This one came instead. I believe it is the same kit with different boxing. It had a production date of 2011 on the box. Since I am planning on using the Kitsworld decals for my Dad’s unit I decided to keep it.
Does this kit have the staggered waist positions of the G version? I looked on the Revell website and the kit is not even listed! I would love to find a 1/48 scale with the accurate staggered waist guns.
Chris, the staggered waist guns is the only option this kit does NOT have. It does have the Cheyenne and conventional tail gun, three different radio operator hatches, three different waist windows, chin turret or none. As far as staggered on a1/48, I believe manually cutting and filling on a Revell or Monogram kit is the only option.
I believe that Koster makes a conversion for the staggered waist in a late G which you can get through Swanny’s website. It is easier and less costly to make an early/mid/ late F and an early/mid G for the manufacturers as they have a lot of the same features. A late F from block BO-100 and beyond had a chin turret.
Well, I got the fuselage buttoned up. Nothing outstanding done on the interior. Between my eyes and lack of being able to see it from the outside made that decision simple. Just basic assembly and painting. Now for the fun part, the stuff you can see [:D]
I made some progress, although slowly since my last post. I am going to finish in overall silver using Tamiya flat aluminum applied with a brush. Here is the first “dirty” coat. The second coat will bring everything together into a nice even covering and the dullcote adds the final sheen. Note that all of the final brush strokes are from nose to tail. That gives it a lightly weathered look once the finish is complete.
Thank you checkmate! As I mentioned this is just the first coat. It will take at least one to two more coats to get a proper finish. Once the final coats are applied and dullcoted, it will look as good as if it were airbrushed, if my track record holds
John, I have a question. I’m wanting to build a Monogram 1/48 B-17 to depict a Fortress from a training squadron. How hard is it to convert the “G” to an “F” model?
mississippivol, depending on what you are looking to do, late model F’s have alot in common with the G including the chin turret. Otherwise some of the main external differences are the navigator dome and cheek windows. Otherwise you can pick up a Revell F pretty cheap on e-bay. B-17Guy might be able to give you better advice on this as If I recall he did a Monogram G to F conversion.
I will have to pickup 2 of those Pro-modeller G’s so I can do my uncle’s 303rd BG, 427th BS original F, and one of his 482nd BG, 812th BS Pathfinder F’s.
I recently built this model and I’ll agree its unbelievably a great kit. Very detailed on the inside which I did a lot to, then realized I was going to hide it all! haha oh well it was a blast to do. Now it hangs from my ceiling with a p-51 and me-262
