Just started the Revellogram 1/48 B-17F and I need an alternative to the markings in this kit. There are way too many Memphis Belles out there. Does any one have one from the PTO? Also what are the pitfalls on this kit? Anything I need to be aware of? I’m leaning towards a nice Olive Green over a lovely shade of Neutral Grey. I understand this is the rage among all fashionable B-17s[:p] How accurate is this kit?
Well, the kit has its flaws, but at 1/48 it is pretty much the only game going for the B-17 at that scale for a plastic injection molded kit. Raised panel lines (of course) are the most notable drawback and the bomb bay doors are too small. There are a number of aftermarket products out there to help address some of the shortcomings and add a more unique look. Aftermarket decals, battle damaged wings, correction parts, photo etch details, and much more. Just go to Squadron.com and do a search.
As for the Belle. I agree. Too many Memphis Belles out there. I did Chowhound with Pluto on the side of my B-17, and my B-29 is Thumper so I made Michael Eisener’s day.
There are plenty of resources available on the web to find marking for numerous B-17s. Too many to list, and others here have much more expertise than I in that area. If you really want to do something unique research some of the sources I’m sure others will provide you in this string, choose a plane and make your own decals with decal paper from Micro-Mark.
Thanks. Appreciate the help.
How about a Battle of Midway tricolor scheme?
I was thinking along those lines. Or maybe a Navy bird, did the Navy even operate the F?
Well. Spent time looking for PTO B-17Fs’ and all I could find was combat sims and Gs’. Did find some interesting pics of captured Fs’ though. Does any one have a good sight to find PTO B-17s? heres a pic I found.
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This is a B-17F captured by the Germans. Had more pictures but couldn’t get them to load up.
Wasn’t that the PQ-17 drone the Navy flew?
No, actually it was the PB-1W. These were all G models though except for 1 F that was converted into a G. I was hoping that maybe the Navy used the F model early in the war in the Pacific for patrol, much like the B-24D(PB4Y-1). But evidently the majority of 17s was sent to the ETO and MTO. Ah well. Did the Aussies use the F model perchance? Don’t know why I have my heart set on a PTO A/C, but I do.
In reference to the picture of the captured B-17. I have always heard that the Norden bombsight was never captured. Is this true? How can it be true?
The Germans and the Japanese had them. In most cases the crew was able to destroy or otherwise significantly damage the unit. The rest were damaged or destroyed in the crash.I don’t think they had any that was operable though.
There were B-17E’s in the Pacific Theater. Squadron, GreatModels and others should have the necessary conversion pieces to turn out a 1/48 E model.
How about a B-17 with a big red meatball on the side!! Thats about as Pacific as you can get, they are E’s though… http://www.j-aircraft.com/captured/capturedby/b-17/captured_b17.htm
Or you could do one of Col. Edwin Loberg, who passed away just last week. He was piloting a B-17E and had a huge 45 minute dogfight with a Kawanishi Mavis flying boat on October 23, 1942!! http://www.neam.org/58dogfight.htm
Thats a cool site, Thanks
As far as I know, no F models served in the PTO. It’s the Es that were available when they were pulled out and were replaced by B-24s. Guess you have to convert Revell’s B-17F to E standard. Externally, the nose cone is the main difference. It’s flatter and with more braces for the E compared to the F’s more pointed and with just a semicircular brace. I have not seen the 1/48 Revell Fort, if it has the Astro Compass bubble on the nose section it needs to be removed. E models doesn’t have this and has four rectangular windows instead.
I was hoping I could do this without doing a conversion, I seriously doubt my skills could handle a conversion. How about the RAF, Did Coastal Command fly the F model? Thats one I haven’t seen at the shows I’ve been too.
The RAF operated Fortress Mk I (B-17C), Fortress Mk II (B-17E), Fortress GR Mk III(B-17G), sad to say no F. But there are lots of interesting subjects on the olive drab/ neutral gray Fs of the ETO. My Microscale/Superscale sheet in 1/72 provides for Eight Ball, Witches’ Tit, Knock-out dropper, Vicious Virgin. This might be available also in 1/48
Hey Road,
I too was thinking along the lines you are, way too many Memphis Belles. . .but then I looked and you know what? I do not have a Memphis Belle, so if I decide to make it, I will only have one. And that is not alot. . .
Don
With all the problems I’m having finding a suitable replacement subject, I’m going to do it as a generic F. Then when I find one I like it won’t be so bad to do the decaling. I’ve already got a Belle in 1/72 that I got in Memphis right after seeing the real thing. Thats why I’m not doing the 1/48 as the Belle.