About 6 years ago, I bought a 1:72 scale Revell B-17F model and did a little modification to it. I drilled the rear of the number 3 engine, inserted a dowel, and glued some cotton balls that was pulled apart to the dowel and on up to the front of the engine. The cotton was painted to resemble flames at the front to black smoke trailing behind. The model has since been lost but I’ve decided to build another one in 1:48th scale. My interest was re-sparked by the PC game “B-17 The Mighty Eighth”, which I highly recommend to anyone who’s even remotely interested in B-17’s, WWII, etc…it’s a great sim. To my question: does anyone know of a decent model of a 1:48 scale B-17G? I’m not too worried about the interior, as the model will be hanging from the ceiling but I’d like the exterior to be pretty detailed as far as panel lines and rivets and such. Thanks in advance for any feedback.
By the way, check out www.bombs-away.net if you’re interested in the game. The forums is a wealth of information if you’re a pilot, gunner, navigator or bombardier in the sim.
The Revell/Monogram B-17G in 1/48 has been “the only game in town” since the seventies. It can be built into a fine looking model, albeit with raised panel lines.
Hope this helps.
I think Monogram’s 1/48th B-17G is still out there (Kit no. 5600). Check out last years issue of Warbird modeling, because it was the good ol’ 17 was on the cover.
I tried to play the mighty eigth, but i could get off the ground! the steering won’t work on mine… of course mine is a pirated copy a friend bought for me a few months ago. It might help if i can find an original copy! I still play the original B-17 by Microprose, though! Awesome!
Oh, and i noticed this is your first post, so welcome to the forums! [:D]
Thanks for your replies. Shrikes, not condoning piracy (but I don’t agree with the high markup of software, either…but that’s another story) but if it’s a full-install, you don’t need the CD to play the game. If you have your friend to make a full install of his game on your PC it’ll work. The original B-17 game is available for download in full on the Bombs-Away site, too.
The Monogram B-17G is still the only game in town if you want the kit in 1/48th. EBay has seven kits up for auction with beginning bid prices as low as $9.99. GreatModels Webstore has both the Revellogram rerelease and the Revell-Germany release (the same kiti in a different box, but twice as expensive.) Go wild and build one, Kevin!
Squadron is still carrying the R/M kit and a bunch of detail stuff too. As for the game I have the same problem with the steering at first but discovered that to steer the aircraft you have to go to manual (M) release the tail wheel (shift t) and release the parking brake (shift P) and the aircraft should steer. If all else fails you can steer with alternating engine power. Last months FSM had a great article on the Memphis Bell and it’ll help with some of the interior work. Welcome to the forum.
I have both the game and the R/M kit.They both soaked lots of time.Love the game and the kit was a good build.Went together well and good fit for the age.The only real problem was my wife complaining about the space it takes.Good luck with the kit.
Okay, for the record, I found and purchased a real copy of B-17 The mighty 8th! So, now i can steer the '17 on the ground and shoot down other B-17s 109s. [:D]
Revell also had the B-17F I think it was the Memphis Belle. I am not sure though. It diffferers from the G as not having the gun turret under the nose. I am sure there are other differences but I don’t know what they are but I am sure there must be others. Hope this helps.
First of alll, you came to the right place for information. These guys are fantastic[bow][bow][bow][bow]
[#ditto]
Like the others, I built the Revell as the restored Shoo Shoo Shoo Baby. I agree that the kit went together well and looks good as an OOB kit[:D] If you want to go a little further in the realism category just do a little research. There is plenty of it on the B-17. Good luck on your build[^] Show us what it looks like when you are done.