1:48 B17

Revell used to, I don't know if they still do. I don't know the perticular squadron offered (most are the Memphis Belle) but atermarket decals might be available. If not, you could make your own if you have adequate research photos.

If all else fails, check Ebay.

-fish

Revell released a B-17F (raised panel lines, minimal interior detail), Monogram released a B-17G (raised panel lines, better interior details, with & w/o Cheyanne (sp) tail turret)
Monograms other WW II 1/48 bombers include : B-24 (D & J), B-25J, B-26B&C, B-29. German bombers include Ju 52 (Spanish Civil War bomber), Ju 88A, Heinkel HE 111(2 versions) Hobbycraft also made some Luftwaffe bombers.
Accurate Miniatures makes a BEAUTIFUL B-25 (different versions-designations escape me at the moment)
Tamiya produces a Mitsubishi G4M "Betty," and an Avro Lancaster.
Some 1/48 Luftwaffe bombers released by DML/Dragon have been re-released by Monogram (Pro Modeler)
There are also many vacforms available.
That's all I can think of at the moment. If I missed any, others will be able to round out the choices.
Hope this helps !

I picked up the Revell B-17F before they re-did the kit to include paint and glue. The box photos changed, too, on the new box to show a view looking into the finished model's nose bubble (the view showed some amount of detail in the bombardier's area, although I can't remember whether or not the bomb sight is shown). I also recall that whomever built the new photo model didn't paint the outside of the aircraft. I hate it when they skip that step for the pictures. It's like that on the box for the Monogram 1:48 Huey Hog...

I have a couple of the R/M Pro Modeler kits, and they are quite impressive, with lots of detail. Great kits for a decent price. Monogram is also going to release their B-29 again, but I haven't heard if it's a retool or not. I would love to find one of the A/M B-25's, as well. Saw one at the Hobby Shop, but didn't pick it up for fear of it being a bad kit. It also comes with every marking for every plane in the Doolittle Raid! Build a fleet!

demono69

Demono69,

Run, do NOT walk, but RUN back to the hobby shop and get that AM B-25. It is one sweet kit, let me tell you! AM's version is wonderful and goes together beautifully. It's the only B-25 model I've seen which even includes the toilet!

Eric

If you get the B-17, make sure you get the Warbird Modeling book. It has a great and extensive article on superdetailing the Monogram B-17. I am glad I didn't sell my kit as I had intended because the article looks like a lot of fun. It even tells you what resin and PE kits were used and who manufactured them. Monogram also makes a nice PBY in 1/48 and the true details kit goes with it nicely. Panda is promising a B-17 in 1:32 scale. Sweeeeet!

I recently bought Monograms B-17G, the one in that article. Ive been getting the detail sets for it here and there. So far I have the resin wheels, the vacuum formed windows, and I have the interior and exterior photo etch sets on the way. You can get all this stuff from Squadrons website. I even went ahead and got the EZ masks for the windows. The only thing I didnt get, which is out of production and hard to find is the resin conversion for the Cheyenne turret. But I dont want that version anyway. Im going to start on the kit as soon as I get the P/e stuff in. Anyone with me? We can do a B-17 G progress forum. Feel free to email me if your going to start on this kit as well. Im planning on doing some scratch building for the interior as well. Oh, by the way, the Great Models Webstore has this kit for $23.00. Its either that site, Internet Hobbies, or E-Hobbies, I cant remember whih, I just know they have it.

Paragon at one time had aftermarket resin for the Air-Sea rescue version, the YB-40, and the Radar-equipped B-17's. All, unfortunately, are out of production. They still turn up at hobby shows and eBay.

A company called Mirage has a 1/48 B-17 in the works.

monsterarmor:

My brother and I have bought two Monogram B-17G's. He is doing his in bare metal finish while I'm doing a battle damaged camo version. Both are going to be from the same squadron that our grandfather flew with.

I have the Eduard Exterior details, and have seriously considered the interior and the Verlinden resin/PE set (expensive). But haven't decided. Both of us have recently finished the interior painting and some first passes of exterior priming/painting. I'm actually considering on putting in electric motors to turn the props. I've got two motors that I'm giving a try.

I too would love a progress forum on the B-17!
Dmod

Lets see it D!!! :) Im still waiting on my parts to come in. I think I may get the Verlinden set as well. But I wont start until I have EVERYTHING, cause I just wanna be sure :) Its beggining to be a sickness, I cant seem to start a model until I have all the aftermarket stuff. I guess thats why I have so many unbuilt models. Maybe I need to buy the sets instead of more kits. Once I start though I will post pics on here . Have fun with the kits, and goodluck with those motors.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Keyworth Paragon at one time had aftermarket resin for the Air-Sea rescue version, the YB-40, and the Radar-equipped B-17's. All, unfortunately, are out of production. They still turn up at hobby shows and eBay.

The radar-equipped B-17s were the PB-1Ws (developed as part of Project Cadillac w/the TBM-3W)-- and I'd sure be interested in finding one of those aftermarket kits

Paragon also did resin B-17 flaps too. Our hobby shop out here recently had a bunch of the old Monogram bomber kits including both B-24D and B-24J, the B-26 and the visible B-17. The visible '17 was going for $89, so I couldn't get it but my Dad did! I got the Marauder so everything ended up well.

I hear the Revell/Germany is going to re-release the B-24 Liberator in the USA in Oct. 2003. It's out in Europe now. I will be spending the $$ to get that beauty.

I built the Monogram kit a long time ago... that one got distroyed...so I bought another one and built that one with battle damage. Then I got another kit from an old teacher that had been started but un finished. I gave him my battle damaged diorama in return and some 8 years later... I still haven't finished the damn thing. But I have scratch built most of the interior details that were excluded in the kit, including the bomb bay doors and flaps. At least I finally got the fuselage together a coulpe of years ago, only to find Verlindin had just created the detail set I wished I had when I started. Hopefully by the end of this decade I can start painting it!!

ratboy:

Is the release a "rerelease" or a new mold? It would be great to have the B-24 in the collection!

Revell-Germany's re-release of the B-17 is the same old tooling with raised panel lines, and I'm pretty sure the B-24 will be the same. I have the D and J versions and they aren't bad, but they do need some "help" in the interior. I haven't built them yet as I have been trying to decide just how ambitious I want to get. Can anyone recommend a clever idea for making all the oxygen tanks that are stationed throughout these ships? I have seen in many cases where people will borrow from the Monogram B-29, but when you are planning to build a B-17and two B-24's, you're talking about a lot of tanks. Also in addition to the Mirage news release of forthcoming B-17 F and G versions, I have seen a posting on the web that Tamiya might have a B-17 in the works in 1/48 scale. I sure hope this is true.

Hi, Kdappen.
Unfortunately, as of now, there are no plans for a Tamiya B-17.

kdappen, have you considered making a master from a suitable sized bomb and making resin copies? then you would have all the O2 tanks you would need

If you have a 1/48 B-29 (or someone who has one), why don't you make molds of the oxygen tank and pour your own from resin?

Thanks for the replies J-Hulk, roadkill and qmiester. Would love to see a Tamiya or Hasegawa take on some American & RAF Heavy Bombers. I would definitely spend the money. Regarding the tanks, I do have the 1/48 B-29 and have assumed I would probably end up casting my own from resin. But I have seen some VERY clever ideas in this forum and thought I would inquire about a simpler method.

Thanks again.