Another recent FSM Workbench Review model, Revell’s new 1/72 B-17G. I built it out of the box and in its entirety, but when I do another one, I’ll likely leave out a lot of the interior detail that you just can’t see once the model is closed up. I liked the kit a lot and think it is the best in the scale. It has received criticism for the panel lines being a bit deep and wide, but I don’t think they’re a deal breaker.
Looks great, Paul. Outstanding paint work.
I’ve built many of the Hasegawa and Academy Fortresses; how does the Revell offering compare to them?
Much more detail, especially on the interior if you like that sort of thing. Fairly easy to build. Academy has some problems with the wing dihedral and the leading-edge intakes for the superchargers. Hasegawa’s kit has minimal interior detailing and fine but raised panel lines. Note that Revell’s kit has positionable flaps and control surfaces, detailed bomb bay, optional versions of windows and turrets – lots of choices.
oooh, love B-17s. I have this one in my stash as well [:)]
Yes, the dihedral is always a challenge–on both Academy’s F and G models; and the intakes aren’t cut out. I end up just painting them black.
For me, the most frustrating part of Hasegawa’s G is the staggered waist guns. It takes a lot of fiddling to move the starboard window for an earlier model.
Thanks for your insights, Paul. It’s a beautful Fort you built.
Very nice Fortress Paul.
One question-what is the wingspan of the 1/72 B-17?
Thanks
Approximately 17.5 inches.
Well, you’ll be faced with the same problem if you wanted to make a late G from the Revell kit. The waist positions are not staggered in the Revell kit, and they have no plans to make another fuselage half to change that. If you have to change it (on either kit), draw the outline of the new (or old) position on the fuselage half, then draw around both positions using a straight edge and marker. Cut along the lines, remove the section, flip it, then reinstall and putty and sand. The curvature of the fuselage should be pretty close for either position. This is kinda hard to describe, so I hope you know what I’m driving at.
That’s a decent sized 1/72!
I have wanted a b-17 for a long time - will have to take a look at the LHS for this one.
Nice looking paint job too!
Very nice B-17. Paint job looks great. Nice and clean.
Thanks for sharing, Paul.
I’ve got the kit on my bench and hope to get to it soon.
I first built the old Airfix -G kit back around '63 and still have several in my stash. It was a popular kit at the time with the retracting landing gear, all the rotating turrets & elevating guns. Three of us on my street built them about the same time and we would regularly get together to bomb the guy next door who liked to build German armor. One point in the Airfix kit’s favor was that it had the staggered waist guns.
Mark
Lovely build Paul, i currently have the Academy 17F on the becnh, and that been a nice build so far, but would love to do the Revell kit. On the Academy G you have to cut out the waiste windows which gives you the option on staggered or not, does the evell kit give you that choice.
No, the Revell kit does not give you the option of cutting out the staggered waist window.
Thanks for the info Paul, i will keep that in mind.