Hey everybody, my first post here. I’ve been looking around a bit and I like what I see so far, I hope to learn a few things. In the mean time, can anyone help to find a Revell B-17F memphis belle kit# 4701? I’m planning on maybe finding 2 of them, one for a regular build, the other for a nose conversion to the G model body. Thanks in advance.
As for the B-17F, that kit has been out of productions for a long time, every once and a while you can find them on e-bay.
The B-17G is still in production and is in stock at most e-tailers. The visable B-17 was released a few months ago and is still in stock at e-tailers. No need to try to convert a F to a G model.
You could also check for the G at your LHS.
Welcome to the boards!
The F has been out of production for a while, but the G is readily available. Just click the megahobby link up above and you’ll be on your way.
Last time I personally saw an F nose in 1/48 was about 17 years ago when I left the hobby. It was one of the last kits I built before moving on.
-Fred
I’ve actully got 4 of the regular G model kit, I’m trying to get a hold of the F model kit so I can do a F conversion to the G model kit. I’ve seen them on evil-bay, tried bidding on 2 of them but lost out. I was hoping maybe someone had in they’re stash that I could acquire from them. I’ve been looking on 2 other forums as well (ARC, and swanny’s) with very minimal luck.
Thanks for the fast responses, hope to be on here more often in the future.
Jeremy
Well you can try again here at evilbay[:)]
I know where one can be had. Not sure of condition. Around 30.00 if I remember right. I will have to check. Interested?
I’d have to see a pic, let me know what you got
I’m watching that one. I think I’m watching all that our out there right now.
I’ve got a B-17F in my stash. How much are they going for?
Can I offer you $30 shipped for it…it is the !/48 Revell kit right?
Yes the Revell one but I’m not interested in parting with my stash just yet. I just don’t like to log onto evilbay and was curious. My B-17G is currently in mid-build but I’ve had several other projects push it to the back of the bench. Full interior with a cutaway fuselage. One of these days I’ll get back to finishing it.
Steelrudi:
Forget what I said, I dont need to see a pic, I know what it is! And yes, I’m very interested, just waiting to hear back from ya.
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It doesnt need to new in the box, if anybody has even a junk’d kit, that would work too. I’m mainly after the fuselage and the all the window’s for the front end. I want to do a conversion, F model nose to G model body. Anybody got one?
I had the same problems you did on eBay; waited a couple of years before I finally found one that was in really poor condition, had to fight for it and finally snagged it for more than a “pretty penny” [wasn’t worth it]. The quality of the kit is REALLY poor–NOwhere near the quality of the Revellogram B-17G kit.
I would suggest saving money and just convert the G model nose to the F model nose by removing the chin turret and cheek gun bulged windows, then replace them with a patch and large frame windows flush with the skin. The clear portion can be easily made with clear plastic. In the past, I have used the clear, hard plastic bubble packaging in which Leatherman tools, electronic equipment and other items are sold; they are quite clear and mostly distortion free.
Good luck with this project; looking forward to seeing your work!
P.S. Also try doing a search on eBay for “built” models, model “lots” or “junkyard.” I’ve seen a few lots of old built-up kits that included the Revell 1/48 B-17F–you might have to pay for a whole junkyard of dusty models, but you’d get the junked kit you wanted.
I agree with Senjorn on it being better to just modify the B-17G nose, it’s not that hard. It will also be necessary to redo the upper turrret if you want to get that right, the F had two styles of framing and both were a lower profile than what most or all G’s had. In pictures I can also see differences in the nose plexiglas, in both framing and profile, I suspect they often differed whether they were Boeing, Vega, or Douglas built aircraft, mostly G’s though, but since they could be swapped in the field F’s could also share that.
My opinion of the Revell kit is that it is a good build, I built one as the Memphis Bell some years ago and like it. Just not worth chasing to get the nose right. I’d do a better job on keeping the decals from silvering today, and my seamwork has improved some, but here is a photo.
The F models had the longer frameless plexiglass noses. The early G’s used this same plexiglass. The later G’s used a shorter plexiglass to give the chin turrets greater elevation. All of the plexiglass was interchangeable throughout all the models so an E could have an G model plexiglass added in the field.
oh well, I refuse to try evilbay any longer. I’m working on getting the revell kit still. But in the mean time. I started working one of my G moeld kits, I cut the chin turret off one last night. I just dont know how to do all the modding for the correct window configuration, as far as cutting and fitting/filling goes. So I’m gonna take the G I cut the chin turret fairing off of and try to cram a bunch of filler in to the hole, and shape it as close as possible to the F nose shape as I can get it. The G I’m using is an extra one I picked up cheap at hobby lobby. It was regular price of $30, but I got it for 40% off. I bought it for spare parts to fix up an old pro-moddler kit that got damaged during moving and my oldest getting his hands on it. I’ll use the remainder of the kit to try out some things and hopefully learn a thing or 2.
Like I said, my cutting and altrering are bad, never really done any of that, so I’ll just live with a slightly incorrect F/G conversion till I get the revell kit. Wish me luck. I’ll eventually post pics up here, just dont know when. Thanks everyone!