Detail and Scale’s Facebook page has info and CAD drawings of a new 1/48 B-17G to be released in Oct. of this year. It shows the early tail gunner’s position, enclosed waist positions, and full interior. It looks really good to me in the drawings. October and November are shaping up to be expensive months.
Well dang … I am going to need this in my stash. The only problem, in addition to the Monogram I built about 20 years ago that currently hangs in my workshop, is that I have an original issue Monogram, a Revell 1/48 Memphis Belle, and a reissue Monogram clear edition B-17.
And I have to wonder what price tag this new B-17 is going to come with. The beauty of those old Monogram heavies was that you got a lot of detail for a small price. Given that this is a scaled-down version of their 32nd scale kit that goes for nearly $300, I don’t hold out hope for this one picking at less than $200.
I have known about this for some time but kept my mouth shut as requested by HK’s head cheese.
I don’t normally go into 1/48 with my normal range being 1/35, 1/32, 1/24, 1/16.
However, on this occasion, I will be delving into this as HK will be sending me one, I believe.
The Announcement has taken social media by storm over the weekend and is a suprise to all.
I cannot comment to what the street price will be. Here in the UK where Packetbond is the importer and Distributor, the price will be somewhere near unbelievable and extortion as they are known for excessive product pricing or more better know as “Grabbing ***********”.
If you have seen my recent build of their Dambuster Lancaster you will know that they are a quality kit and build up to be fantastic looking Displays.
This one, for the 1/48 boys out there will be something nice under the tree at Christmas this year!
That’s why I’m not as excited about this kit, as I am about the Tamiya P-38. I’ve pre-ordered a Tamiya P-38. I’m not going to order or buy the HK B-17, not right away. I can wait.
And neither of those kits will make me get rid of the Monogram kits I have. I know many aircraft modelers have asked for a new 1/48 B-17 for a long time, but I’m happy with the Monogram kit.
I’d be more excited if someone came out with a 1/48 C-46 or B-32 in injection-molded styrene. Or a PBM. Something not previously kitted in that scale.
Baron, I would probably run over a bunch of nails to get any or all of those. The Monogram B-17 remains a great kit despite its lack of a bomb bay (which is included with the visible kit). Still, I will certainly want to get this new release provided the price is not in the stratosphere.
Does it look good? Oh yes. It it will likely cost an arm, leg, and perhaps a reproductive organ as well. Since there is already the Monogram G available, it’s not a “must have” for me. Now if HK comes out with an E or mid to late F, I might have save up my cans and bottles for some extra cash…
I don’t understand why a model company includes so much interior detail when the majority of it will not be seen after the model is assembled. Maybe I’m looking at this the wrong way.
Well they do have a kit to beat, the old Monogram B-17G that had a pretty comprehensive interior.
But I do hope that they do not go for a recessed panel lines and rivets exterior. That would be inaccurate. Overlapping panels and raised rivets are the way to go. That’s how the real Fort is made.
You’ve touched on an old, old question for us modelers.
My best friend and I both got the Monogram B-17 for Christmas one year. He finished his in a couple of days, while I was still working on the interior.
When I asked him if he added the interior details, he said no, because you can’t see them.
When he asked me why I was adding them, I said, “Because I know they’re there.”
On the Monogram B-17, yo can totally see the interior… anyway even if you couldn’t see it I would still paint it because I enjoy doing it…
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I agree with you 100%. Making models is all about personal enjoyment. People aske me why I spend so many hours finishing my models with Bare Metal Foil. My answer is the same as yours, “Because I enjoy doing it”.