Best B-17?

[Midnight Storm]

I'm looking for the Best kit to start off with to model a B-17G in 1/48th scale. Would this be the pro modeler kit? It comes with the highest price tag, but that doesn't always lead to the best kit. I'm also guessing all aftermarket parts will fit the different kits the same.

Also does any one make decals for Aluminim Overcast? Thanks!

[Dave Williams]

Right now, there is really only one available 1/48 B-17 kit and that’s the Monogram B-17G kit. The Revell B-17F kit has been OOP for a while and didn’t have the detailed interior that the Monogram kit.

Right now, I’d say the best option is the latest reissue of the Monogram kit, the Visible B-17. It supposedly has options for both type of tail turret while the original only had the early turret and the ProModeler only had the Cheyenne turret. The main difference in the ProModeler kit over the Visible B-17 kit is some PE and maybe a crew or bomb cart, neither of which is worth the premium that you pay for the Promodeler boxing these days IMHO.

[jrallman]

Honestly, if you can score an older boxing of the Monogram kit, go for that. The moldings were a little crisper, and the plastic had a better consistency, in my opinion, with the older boxings of those kits. Its basically all the same kit anyways, just re-released through the years with some small additions. If you can't get an old one, the visible B-17 is cool because you of course get the clear fuse half, the crew, and the pumpkin tail turret.

[B-17 guy]

Go with the visible one, it does have the option for both tails, but you have to cut off some of the tail to use the pumpkin tail. The visible B-17 is a mix of the regular monogram G kit and the old pro-modeler kit. It has the crew figures and cheyenne tail, plus some other small stuff like gun mounts for open waist windows instead of the gun in the window thing, which I hate. Minus the PE parts and add the clear fuselage half and you basically have the pro-mod kit. The revell F modell kit sucks, it has almost no detail what so ever, but it is the 1/48 F model kit ever made. And TRUST me, unless you are willing to shell out some money, they hard to get from ebay, and disapointing for the ebay price you'd have to pay for it.

Right now there 3 1/48 B-17's available, new boxing's of the old monogram G model, the visible G model and there is also a new boxed G model of the old monogram G kit in a revell box with differant decals. I dont know if the revell one has all the same features as the mongram one but it look's the same to me.

But here, look at this, it's helped me out before, there's a bit to read but it's interesting....at least to me.

http://www.swannysmodels.com/B17G.html

[pastafarian]

The visible B-17 has the 5 man flight crew same as the Pro-Modeler kit did. I think the only thing ascent is the PE set. But that is easily replaced with some Eduard stuff.

I second the advice to go with the visible kit. Way cheaper than everything else - around $22.

John

[Scooby]

Tamiya

When it comes out

[Drew T.]

I'm building the Monogram B-17 right now. If I was to build another one, though, I would definitely get an older version of the kit that has crisper moldings. The ProModeler details (engine wiring, ammo belts, and cheyenne turret) can be had though Eduard and Paragon. Throw away the kit decals too because they're pretty thick. I think the ProModeler decals may be better, though.

Check Swanny's article on the 1/48 B-17 kits here: http://www.swannysmodels.com/B17G.html

[B-17 guy]

I dont know if there is supposed to be a picture in that huge space you posted scooby but i've heard rumors of tamiya B-17's for a few years now, I'm not counting on it.

[Dave Williams]

I dont know if there is supposed to be a picture in that huge space you posted scooby but i've heard rumors of tamiya B-17's for a few years now, I'm not counting on it.

It's a joke, referring to the persistent fantasy of Tamiya doing a 1/48 B-17.

[jrallman]

I for one don't really want a Tamiya B-17. Why? Because I really like the B-17 and would probably be forced to pay the outrageous sum that a kit like that would go for, when I am perfectly happy and can make a perfectly fine B-17 model from the current kits. Heck, take the amount you'd spend on a Taimya B-17 and sink it into aftermarket for the Monogram B-17 and you will have one seriously pimped out B-17 with probably more detail than you'd get OOB from Tamiya

[ron]

Tamiya

When it comes out :)

You beat me to it

[Midnight Storm]

I was looking to deck this baby out in after market. I just want to make sure the body and wings are the best. The details will be added. Thanks every one!

Edited April 25, 2008 by Midnight Storm

[pastafarian]

I got the biged set for mine. Haven't started it yet, but looking through the PE set, it's going to be extremely super detailed. The absolute only thing that could be improved between the kit and the biged set would be if someone would fix up an interior for the ball turret. It probably wouldn't be too awful hard to busy up, but I'll end up closing up the ball.

John

[B-17 guy]

It's a joke, referring to the persistent fantasy of Tamiya doing a 1/48 B-17.

:lol: :) Ah....I get it now, I had that idea but wasnt sure, now I know, and knowing is half the battle.

[B-17 guy]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :)

[Midnight Storm]

Can any one point me the way to a custom B-17 decal maker? Looks like the bird I want to do, doesn't have decals made for it. Strange when you think it's one of the 14 left flying.

[martin_sam_2000]

Can any one point me the way to a custom B-17 decal maker? Looks like the bird I want to do, doesn't have decals made for it. Strange when you think it's one of the 14 left flying.

you could try here. He specialises in Canadian decals but he will do pretty much anything if you ask him nicely.

Sean

[DonSS3]

For the B-17G, as mentioned above you really are stuck with the Monogram kit. The Revell F model is really pretty similar, just lacking somewhat in details. IIRC there was rumor going around, that when it was found the Monogram interior bits fit so well in the Revell kit, and with other apparent similarities, Monogram supposedly told Revell not to let this sort of thing happen again (of course with the history of the two companies being what it is, I guess Revell had the last laugh).

A minor point, the "body" on an aircraft is called the "fuselage."

For detail sets, I think you're pretty much limited to Eduard and True Details stuff. It may be worth doing searches at:

Squadron Shop

http://www.squadron.com/

Eduard:

http://www.eduard.com/

[B-17 guy]

For detail sets, I think you're pretty much limited to Eduard and True Details stuff. It may be worth doing searches at:

There is a bunch of stuff out there for B-17's in this scale. Paragon makes stuff, quickboost makes really nice resin radial engines and 50. cals.

Look at swanny's history of the 1/48 B-17, the link has been posted twice here, it has a list w/pics, of all differant aftermarket parts available. It really is worht looking at.

Edited April 25, 2008 by B-17 guy

[DonSS3]

There is a bunch of stuff out there for B-17's in this scale. Paragon makes stuff, quickboost makes really nice resin radial engines and 50. cals.

Look at swanny's history of the 1/48 B-17, the link has been posted twice here, it has a list w/pics, of all differant aftermarket parts available. It really is worht looking at.

DOH! Knew I forgot something! How could I have forgotten Paragon!

Do a search here for Paragon B-17 bits:

http://www.hannants.co.uk/

[gobears1951]

Hi,

There are a number of articles about converting the R/M G to a F but nobody explains how to deal with the chin turret which I consider the main issue.

Jim

Edited April 26, 2008 by gobears1951

[Paul Budzik]

It is explained on page 43 of my B-17 conversion article. The article has been reproduced in this thread http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index....t=0&start=0

Paul

[Randy Wise]

It is explained on page 43 of my B-17 conversion article.

Yup! Great article Paul. Up there in the same class as your PBY build. No doubt the two best build articles ever in FSM. I still have both copies.

Welcome to ARC.

Randy

[Midnight Storm]

Holy crap I picked up the model for 20 bucks and then got 15 times that worth of detail parts.

Better be one kick butt model once it is completed.

Now to get those decals mades.

Thanks again every one!

Edited April 27, 2008 by Midnight Storm

[B-17 guy]

Holey crap!!!!! $348 just for the after market parts on a model airplane!!!!! I'd be getting divorced I did something like that!!! My wife would have my you what! I myself cant justify spending anywhere that much on a plastic airplane. It better fly for that much money.