Tim Bradley Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 Greetings all, I have a B-17G fire tanker project coming up and was looking for some thoughts on what was the best 1/72 B-17G kit? Thanks, Tim Bradley Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DonSS3 Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 I think the Hasegawa kit would be your best bet. It's much better than the Airfix or Matchbox G's and way better than Revell's F. I'm drawing a blank on whether Academy did a G or not... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aaronw Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 I've heard the Minicraft kits are very good. I have their SB-17 and it looks nice. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tim Bradley Posted September 17, 2009 Author Share Posted September 17, 2009 Aaron, Don, Thanks for your tips. Tim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Huey Gunner Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 Correct me If I'm wrong please. Are not the Minicraft and Hase kits the same? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steve N Posted September 17, 2009 Share Posted September 17, 2009 (edited) No. I think the confusion comes from the 1970s, when some Hasegawa kits (including the B-17G) were released under the label "Hasegawa/Minicraft." That company is long gone. The current Minicraft is the former partner of Academy/Minicraft, which was a completely different outfit. People often use the Academy and Minicraft names interchangably, but the two companies split up some time ago and are now separate entities. When they split, Academy took the B-17 molds, and Minicraft kept the B-B-24 molds. I believe the current Airfix B-17G boxing is also a rebox of the Academy kit. Trying to track the history of some of these model kits and companies starts to sound like the Da Vinci Code after awhile! The Hasegawa and Academy B-17Gs each have their strengths and weaknesses. The Hasegawa kit has raised panel lines, and no option for an open bombay (which wouldn't matter if your building a firefighting aircraft) but is generally accurate (although the tail gunner's canopy is a little undersized.) The Academy B-17G has engraved panel lines and optional open bombay, but it also has a few glitches. The wing has too much dihedral, and the leading edge intakes are molded either as shallow rectangular depressions or missing entireley. The tail gunner's station is molded in two halves, giving you an ugly seem down the middle of the glass. The nose cap is also the longer, more pointed style glazing of the B-17F. Fortunately, Sqadron makes vacuform replacements for both. Both kits have reasonably detailed cockpits and nose compartments for the scale, but niether has a radio room, leaving a big empty space visible through the dorsal window. SN Edited September 17, 2009 by Steve N Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Murph Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 Both kits have reasonably detailed cockpits and nose compartments for the scale, but niether has a radio room, leaving a big empty space visible through the dorsal window.SN Not to mention the lack of detail in the waist gun areas on both kits. Regards, Murph Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Aaronw Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 You're right the SB-17 is an Academy kit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
phoenix 54 Posted September 18, 2009 Share Posted September 18, 2009 IIRC, the latest boxing of the B-17G by Airfix is from the Academy moulds. Leasing of mould, as the old Airfix G mould was 'past it'! The Matchbox kit wasn't bad, just keep a tube of your favorite filler handy! Upshot is, buy the best YOU can afford. Paul Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tim Bradley Posted September 19, 2009 Author Share Posted September 19, 2009 Thanks to all who added thier ideas. Regards, Tim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
theplasticsurgeon Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 Ancient Airfix B-17G - as others have inferred, forget this kit. Academy SB-17G. This kit contains all the plastic for a bomber B-17G, or there are bomber kits without the lifeboat. I reduced the diledral, it can look silly without modification. This is the basis for the latest Airfix kit. I think I should have opened up the engine cowings a bit as well. Hasegawa, F rather than G - but it's the only one I've built so far. I've got a Has B-17G in the stash. I can't remember or see if this is raised panel lines, but is my favourite B-17 kit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rcaf_100 Posted September 19, 2009 Share Posted September 19, 2009 Since you're building a fire tanker B-17, don't forget that the Academy SB-17 kit includes the blanking plates for the upper and ball turrets. Those sure solve a few headaches. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Huey Gunner Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 Heres a picture I posted a few weeks ago here. http://www.arcforums.com/forums/air/index....p;#entry1800410 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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