So after a few years I have decided to get back into model building…For my first project I was thinking of revisiting a model I built years ago…I belive it was by Revelle the B-17 1/48 scale.
THis time I was thinking of doing the Memphis Bell…I watched the movie the other day and the ending was quite theatrical. I have been trying to find info on her last flight and if the damge that was portrayed in the movie is accurate, as I would like to build a little diorama of the landing of the last mission.
Any help anyone could offer would be greatly apreciated!!
Welcome back to the hobby. The 1/48 B-17F Memphis Bell kit is no longer in production and the original masters have been damaged to the point where Revell-Monogram has no plans of attempting to repair them. Your only options are to watch for the kit on ebay where they commonly sell for around $40 plus shipping charges. Here is a link to more information on 1/48 B-17 kits and accessories http://www.swannysmodels.com/B17G.html good luck.
If you’re wanting to build the Memphis Belle, you’re going to want a B17-F.
The G that is on that site has the nose turret, something that the Belle didn’t, so if you’re going for accuracy, you’ll want to find one of the kits that Swanny was talking about.
I wonder how hard it would be to modify the nose? or if it is even worht the trouble? Perhaps i should just keep an eye out on e-bay…
Thanks for pointing out the difference!
Ashton
Just spent a while looking at the differences…it would be a hard mod to do…there is a distinct difference in the radio op’s area between the two versions…I did however find a 1/72 scale, that may be a little more workable for a diorama…some detail will be lost though.
It’s more than just the chin turret - the cheek windows are different and the gun configuration in the nose is different. Cutting Edge keeps teasing us with several replacement nose sets for the G to make several different F aircraft but no one is realy sure when these will be released. Every time I check its always a month away but always gets pushed back. I know there are a couple Fs on ebay right now.
Welcome! I concur with this here. I’m in the same boat and wanted to do the same plane as you plane. I’ve been trying to get my hands on the kit for the last month, and i finally won the auction on ebay yesterday- with a final price of $45.08. Unfortunately like Swanny was sayin, there’s no plans on rerelease. So it seems that with each passing day the auction price is gonna go up. Good luck to ya on your search
Another difference from the B-17G is the upper turret shape, which on the Memphis Belle was an early F turret. When I built one 10 or so years ago I redid the framing on the F to get it right, using photos as a reference. The framing on the tail gunners glazing is also a little off. For a more accurate story on the Memphis Belle and her crew you should try to find a copy of the WW II documentary film about it, titled Memphis Belle also. It is quite good.
Here is my attempt at the Revell kit. It was the “Deluxe” kit, but I used model master paints. I had some silvering problems with the decals, but that was because of my ineptitude, I am quite sure. It is one of my favorite builds.
Hey Redfinger, I don’t know if you checked www.squadron.com, stock # MH2188 or not but they are temp. out of them right now. Good luck on your “Memphis Bell”. Charlie
Actually if you are just looking for aircraft reference, the documentary would be a good source. As for the history though, that’s another matter. During the filming of the film, it was all spliced together from different missions, and made into just one (through the magic of editing). If you want all the history, i HIGHLY recommend Capt. Robert Morgens (the pilot) book that came out a few years back. Titled “The Man Who Flew the Memphis Belle”, an amazingly fascinating book. I lost so much sleep because i just simply could not put it down at all![tup]
I do not know what battle damage The Belle suffered over its lifetime but the movie is pure fiction. There is a ducumentary filmed of an actual mission the Belle flew and though it shows other aircraft in the flight taking damage and some going down I do not recall the Belle actually taking any hits on its last mission. I do remember the left waist gunner downed a Me 109 though on that flight.
Swanny- I can safely say the masters for the 1/48 B-17F have not been damaged, they are still usable and they are still in our possesion, it is simply a matter of rotation of product and market demand. You can bet that at some point in the future we will come back out with the 1/48 B-17F but as of now there are no plans to re-release it.
Vintage Aircraft-thanks for that info/update. I’m in the middle of Bob Morgan’s book, “The Man Who Flew the Memphis Belle” and I have to agree with the review above-it’s a good book. Hopefully the kit will be re-issued sometime soon.
I had the honor of giving Col. Morgan his first tank ride in our museum’s M-60A1. He came up to me and as I was showing him around he said " Son, I’ve never had a tank ride.". I quickly loaded him and his wife into the TC and loaders position. We fired the tank up and did a couple of laps around the Huron county fairgrounds. He was an honorable and friendly man.
Blue skies and CAVU always…
MAPS Air Museum is working on an excellent display of Col. Morgan’s belongings.
