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Tim's Academy B-17F - as a YB-40 gunship


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There were a few B-17's with "white wall" tires. The crew chief would do it so he could identify his bird while they were circling to land. Here is "Shilaylee" of the 100th BG.

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That's the picture I saw! I thought it was just to make the 'plane look cool out at dispersal.

Either way my model of Shilaylee had to be done.

Another plane with white wall tyres was Bud Anderson's P51B Old Crow.

Anyway I've corrected the de-icers on my model, and am proceeding with the weapons.

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Mission completed - around dusk tonight! Claiming 1 confirmed, 1 damaged, 2 probables, and best of all - no Fortress losses.

This aircraft did incur combat damage during the mission.

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Hoping to take better photos for the museum - in sunshine tomorrow.

This model will be now take part in a War Bonds tour, starting at RAF Cosford on Sunday.

Finally a gun camera still from an attacking Luftwaffe fighter - that was damaged during its attack!

YB40complete004.jpg

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End of tour parade photos, in morning sun:

First an overhead shot showing off the new upper turret.

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Then the business end of the YB40 - showing the weaponry to halt 12 o'clock attacks.

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General view of the re-arranged front office.

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What she looks like from the side - not really dissimilar to any other B-17.

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Heading round to the back - showing off more firepower.YB40Finished003.jpg

Port astern attack view - defended by upto 8 0.50cals.

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This is Tim signing off - it's been fun. :cheers:

YB40Finished001.jpg

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  • 2 weeks later...

Something that I forgot to mention as I built this model - but is applicable to anyone with an Academy late Fortress kit. It builds up with excessive dihedral :angry: .

AcademyB-17Dihedral.jpg

This is one I photoed at a recent model show :crying2: . Very good in every other respect, apart from the dihedral.

With each of the 3 Academy Fortress that I've built, I've packed out the upper part of the wing joint with 20 thou plasticard.

This lowers the wingtips to about the top level of the radio room window. It brings a load of filling and smoothing as well - but the result is worth the effort.

Academy_B17E_RAF.jpg

Academy_SB17G_Rescue.jpg

YB40Afternoon003.jpg

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