White metal landing gear...

Thanks, Don. I'll be sticking with the kit supplied landing gear. On this B-17, I closed the bomb doors for a smoother look, so there's no additional weight in the middle of the airplane.

I know this concern may seem silly but I'm essentially still a rookie after so many years away from the hobby. Sometimes I just need my memory refreshed.

On a tri-gear ship you may have to add an excessive amount of weight to the nose.  If the balance point remains near the main gear, that weight increases weight on those main gear struts.  However, I am not sure how much stronger those metal struts are than the plastic.  Those "metal" struts may be made from any of several low temperature casting materials.  Pewter is pretty strong, but several others are pretty weak.

For conventional landing gear, resisting the load is generally not an issue.  Some folks like them for subjects whose LGs were not painted, but raw aluminum castings or forgings- no need to paint them, though the oleo area should be polished.

richs26

Just a little note about 'Mary Ann".  Two modified B-17B's were stand-in's for "Mary Ann", 38-584 and 39-010.  So with that, to make an accurate model, it would not have the D model's cowl flaps.  And the commander's bubble on top of the cockpit would be on the right side.  The C/D models had the bubble on the center line.

 

Thanks, Richs26. During my research on the Mary Ann I read that the actual airplane was a B-17B upgraded to B-17D standard by Boeing. I have been concerned about the commander's bubble placement. After I get the fuselage closed up, I'll move the bubble to the right side. It didn't make sense to me that there are four seats on the flight deck and none of them under the bubble. The only time I remember seeing the bubble being used was in the movie "I Wanted Wings" with William Holden and Veronica Lake. As I remember, the seat rose up into the bubble with an electric motor so the mission commander could look out of the airplane and see the rest of the formation.

This is my reference picture for the Marry Ann. Looks like the commander's bubble is in the center.

Just a little note about 'Mary Ann".  Two modified B-17B's were stand-in's for "Mary Ann", 38-584 and 39-010.  So with that, to make an accurate model, it would not have the D model's cowl flaps.  And the commander's bubble on top of the cockpit would be on the right side.  The C/D models had the bubble on the center line.

White metal struts are very soft metal and easily bendable.  My cat sat on a model and the struts bent out until the plane was sitting on its belly.  

Fortunately, you can carefully bend them back into their original position.

Yeah, Jeaton, I've read about the dihedral issue. I've taped the wings together and I've done some test fitting to see how to best take care of that. I'm thinking maybe a shim on the top to hold the wing at the right angle. Not sure yet.

Bish, thanks for your testimonial. I think I'll save my money then and use the kit landing gear. Yeah, the Fort is 1/72 scale. All of my B-17 kits are 1/72 scale. Not enough room is our little house to display a 1/48 scale B-17. Even a 1/72 scale B-29 will be a tight fit, dispay-wise.

There is no problem with the strength of the landing gear on the Academy B-17's.  The main issue to worry about is the wing dihedral.

http://www.yolo.net/%7Ejeaton/mymodels/b17/1b17e/0021b17e.htm

I am guessing this is 72nd scale. I have had my B-17 sat there for 6 years and not had any dropping yet.

Have you built this particular kit?

I highly doubt the kit supplied struts will break from the weight of the finished kit. I know I’ve never had any break on mine.