I had all of these as a kid. I dont remember which ones. Probably Revells or Monograms from the 60’s.
I’ve search many of the hobby stores online but there are so many different kinds available. Any recommendations of which brand/scale to get?
thanks
.
If you’re going 48 scale, the old Monogram kits are still available (under the Revell name these days). Accurate Miniatures makes an excellent B-25 kit.
In 72 scale, Academy makes some fine kits of the 17 and 29.
Scale is a matter of personal preference, as far as the level of visible detail goes, with larger scales showing more detail than smaller, generally speaking, and requiring more work or skill, because you can’t hide some things that are otherwise unnoticeable or invisible in smaller scales. Also, the amount of display space is a factor–you can build more small-scale models and display them, than you can large-scale models, in the same amount of room.
Having said that, my preferred scale is 1/48–just the right amount of detail that you can see, and I can still display a fair number of models. But there will probably as many answers as there are modelers.
For the aircraft you name, I’ll second that, in 1/48, Monogram’s kits are still excellent choices, except for the B-25, where Accurate Miniatures has an excellent series of kits. However, I’d build both the AM and the Monogram kits, because I’m a nostalgia builder and I like Monogram.
For larger scale, there’s also a 1/32 B-25 in the works, by a Dutch company whose name escapes me at the moment. That should be an impressive model, just from the size alone.
Just my mustard, hope that helps!
Best regards,
Brad
Thanks for the info.
I want all to be the same scale. 1/48 looks like the best bet.
I noticed Hobby Lobby does not have a 40% coupon this week. That usually means they will have one next week! Hope I can wait that long.
Well then, wait till next week, hop online, print off 3 coupons, and got to hobby lobby 3 seperate days and pick up the B-17, B-29 and B-25, one each day. Then you can look around the online hobby stores or an LHS near you and get the revell B-24D. Done.
Any news of a release date? Might have to get one of those.
The AM B-25s are only the early series B,C,D and G, if’n you want a late model you’ll have to track down the Revell kit, its a J series if I can remember correctly
Not sure about that. Your choices are limited to one or two kits each. They are nice kits, but have been around for a while and there’s not much you can do with them with out a fair amount of effort. Oh, and they are HUGE.
In 1/72 your choices really expand, plus you might think ahead. If you want to stick to one scale, and I agree with that personally, the rest of the 1/48 world becomes fighters and more fighters. No airliners, almost no foreign subjects bigger than two engine, etc.
If I were you, I’d settle your scale preference first. If you decide to buy all four in 1/48 right off, I suspect you’ll be looking at three on the shelf for quite a while. You might try one at 1/48 and one at 1/72, finish both, and think about what you preferred about each one. Academy makes a whole series of reasonably priced and nicely cast 1/72 bombers.
Still, the Revell/Mono big birds are great models.
The 1/32 B-25 has been announced by a new Company called Wingscale. There will be 3 kits released of the J/H series. The kits will be limited run with only 7,500 being produced. They are taking pre-orders now with scheduled release dates from Dec. 2010 through Feb. 2011. No price info that I’ve seen, but I would guess Big Bucks. Hyperscale has more info & pics of a preproduction built up model. Looks pretty impressive.
Regards, Rick
I can say that the 1/48 B-29 can be a hand full, I’m on my second one, most for for 39.99. You’ll need about a half gallon of glue and full gallon of paint. [:P]
This is yesterday’s Hyperscale article announcing the Wingscale 1/32 B-25:
http://www.hyperscale.com/2010/reviews/kits/wingscalepreviewbg_1.htm
There’s a link to contact Wingscale included in the article, too.
I am so ordering one of those Glass Nose kits. The detail in there will be insane [H]
-Fred
Even with the 40% off coupons Hobby Lobby has jacked up it’s prices so much you’re essentially getting the kit for regular prices after the coupon. Try mail order like Squadron for better savings.
Thanks for all the great information guys. It has really helped! I normally hang out over in the diorama, space, and scifi sections. I’ve been bitten by the nostalgia bug and want to rebuild these old bombers from back when I first got into modelling.
One more question. What are your thoughts on the Revell “visible” B17? Is it basicly the regular version with a clear side and some interior pieces?
That is exactly what it is. It actually is the same kit as the other B-17G but wital all thatinterior drtail more visible.
Also includes a Cheyanne tail and crew members for the stations.