1/48 B-17 Group Build...ALL INVITED TO JOIN!

http://www.liberatorcrew.com/15_Gunnery/05_ball.htm

http://tripatlas.com/Ball_Turret

http://freepages.military.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~josephkennedy/sperry_ball_turret.htm

Just a couple of the many that I found in a five minute search...

Did anyone look at the link I posted?! We all know the 17's ball was non retractable BUT if you look at the link I posted, it clearly shows a YB-40, which is still a B-17 with the ball partially retracted.

It looked to me like they might have added structual supports for the radio turret which made the ball look like its retracted, course I could be wrong and it could actually  be retracted.  It is the first picture I've seen of what appears to be a retracted ball.  All the YB-40 pics I have show the ball in the normal position just like on a regular 17.

Hi gents, though I'm not a part of this particular group build, I've been following along. Really nice work here but B-17s are far to big for my tastes or the room I have to display them.

Your conversation about ball turrets has inspired me to do some research and chime in. Though it certainly isn't definitive, I read in this discussion that the YB-40 had a semi retractable turret to reduce drag from all the additional weight in armor and ammo.

Also, and most interestingly enough, the ball turret was statistically the safest position to be manned on the B-17. Though it was certainly exposed, the fact that it was extended beneath the length of the plane meant that it suffered less of the brunt of fighter attacks which tended to rake the fuselage and the men inside. This is just one source that states this though you can find plenty more. It also makes mention of the B-17's non retractable ball.

Sorry if I've interrupted! Carry on gentlemen.

GOOD LORD!!!! With all this talk about B-17's this and B-17's that ....

... it's gonna make me pull mine out of storage and get back to work on it!!!! HAHAH!!!! I don't think that I've posted anything on it since like page 20!

... I got a B-17 itch .....

modelchasm

GOOD LORD!!!! With all this talk about B-17's this and B-17's that ....

 

... it's gonna make me pull mine out of storage and get back to work on it!!!! HAHAH!!!! I don't think that I've posted anything on it since like page 20!

... I got a B-17 itch .....

Scratch that itch!

Airbrush parts finally arrived so now I can redo that OD coat I f-ed up

1st Post........

I just ordered a visible B-17G & an F model "Memphis Belle"

I am thinking about a diorama with both, the one where you can see in the other solid......

I built a G model when I was in Jr High back in the mid 70's

I hadn't seen a visible model till the 1st of the year in the TBI clinic @ Ft Knox after being med-evaced.... They suggest we do models as therapy....

I have been working on a 1/32 scale Apollo Command Module for my son...... 

Maybe another month and I'll have the 17's in to start working on.......

Any suggestion will be greatly appreciated...

That's awesome Bell ..... can't wait to see these get started. There's PLENTY of reference pics here to get you goin'! ....

Oh .... and welcome back to the modeling party!!!!

Bell...like modelchasm said, there is a plethora of info in this thread. If you have the time sometime, scan through this group build and look at all the builds.  You can also inquire the resident fort experts B-17Guy and b17pilot...they should be able to answer any and all questions you may have.  I myself found it a VERY wise decision to join this build to help me with my project.

Hey liberty bell, glad to have  you aboard. Feel free to ask questions whenever you need, there's alway's someone here to give an answer. For what it's worth, sorry about the TBI, it's a b!tch. Gotta chuckle at the med docs suggesting models for therapy cause sometimes they are my undoing. Where were you before the medvac? OIF or OEF? 

Hey oddmanrush, no interuption at all, good info in the thread from arc, thanks for the info.

to the build LibertyBell!  has stated before don't be afraid to ask questions.  Thanks for you service!

B-17 Guy

Did anyone look at the link I posted?! We all know the 17's ball was non retractable BUT if you look at the link I posted, it clearly shows a YB-40, which is still a B-17 with the ball partially retracted.

According to the arc post and then further research confirmed it, the only 17 with a retractable ball turret (though it was only a partial retraction) was the only XB-40 (which never went over seas).  The next in line YB-40s (all of them) used the standard exposed ball turret, again to save weight since the partial retraction on the XB-40 didn't reduce drag all that much as hoped for.

B17Pilot

 

B-17 Guy:

 

Did anyone look at the link I posted?! We all know the 17's ball was non retractable BUT if you look at the link I posted, it clearly shows a YB-40, which is still a B-17 with the ball partially retracted.

 

 

According to the arc post and then further research confirmed it, the only 17 with a retractable ball turret (though it was only a partial retraction) was the only XB-40 (which never went over seas).  The next in line YB-40s (all of them) used the standard exposed ball turret, again to save weight since the partial retraction on the XB-40 didn't reduce drag all that much as hoped for.

Your right pilot, I spent about 2 hours looking for info last night. Found the same as you, it was done on the sole XB-40. Every other had the standard B-17 set up.

I got to thinking and I think the XB-40 didn't have a "retractable" turret.  I believe that they set it into the fuselodge half way permenately.  I mean they where trying to reduce drag by putting the ball further into the fuselodge in an effort to compensate for the increased weight from the extra guns and armor, so why increase the weight even more by putting in a retracting mechanism for the ball just to extend it in flight creating more drag.  Since it didn't reduce drag all that much and if I'm thinking right by permenately having the ball half way in the body, the field of fire for the ball was reduced, they reverted back to the standard configuration on the YB-40.

Just a thought.

I did come across a forum a couple days ago where some vets were talking about the issue, including a couple former ball turret gunners and said that the first prototype B-40 did have a semi retractable turret but that was the only plane to have one.

Stripping paint is a b***h

Note to self:  DO NOT go out and buy a B-24 and B-26 when trying to focus on a B-17 project

Hey guys.......This entire build, I have not been happy with the direction I was going.  I've added a lot of detail on the inside but no real plans on how to show it off.  The side walls have details that would be destroyed or missed if I cut holes out.  I should have done that from the very beginning.  Plus I was not happy with the navigator/bombardier compartment. 

............Lesson learned I guess.......

So I'm starting over on the fuselage.  I purchased another kit from Hobby Lobby today for $19.99.  ($31.99 less 40% coupon).  Most of the parts on the first fuselage should be salvageable.

Well.  Time to get back to the shop.  I need to cut the holes in the fuselage first, then relocate the waist gunner with stringers.

Cheers

Lancair IV

Hey guys.......This entire build, I have not been happy with the direction I was going.  I've added a lot of detail on the inside but no real plans on how to show it off.  The side walls have details that would be destroyed or missed if I cut holes out.  I should have done that from the very beginning.  Plus I was not happy with the navigator/bombardier compartment. 

............Lesson learned I guess.......

So I'm starting over on the fuselage.  I purchased another kit from Hobby Lobby today for $19.99.  ($31.99 less 40% coupon).  Most of the parts on the first fuselage should be salvageable.

Well.  Time to get back to the shop.  I need to cut the holes in the fuselage first, then relocate the waist gunner with stringers.

Cheers

been there done that

How about a B-24 or B-26 group build ? I am currently working on B-26 and have the 24 on the shelf.  It will take over a year before I start on the B-17.  : )

Lancair IV

I've added a lot of detail on the inside but no real plans on how to show it off.

You could go get one of those Vis B-17 and use the clear port side on your Fort.  The Vis kit as a regular port side in addition to the clear side, so you get a whole another kit of the 17

Little J

How about a B-24 or B-26 group build ? I am currently working on B-26 and have the 24 on the shelf.  It will take over a year before I start on the B-17.  : )

You could build your B-24 for the 8th AF group build that starts in november....thats what I'm doing

The B-26 is going to be done in the markings of the 323rd Bomb Group and they were part of the mighty eighth for summer of 1943, so does that count for the 8th AF group build ? 

it got quiet in here ......

..don't worry it'll kick in again ,I have at least a coupla grand into next years airfield dio,also a years work on my Vis B-17.

i resume work on my christmas break from college.....im close to getting the plane done and am getting all 16 of my figures done for the figure group build.  

but then again ill be pretty busy, having 2 planes for the 8th AF GB and then 2 other bombers for a show, and now i have an urge to buy a P-51

Couple grand? dollars?

yeah sorry i've been busy with class and my other builds...but once I get done with my other build and figure out my reference photos I will finish this GB.

But Everyones work is coming along great

I need some help with some rsearch for anybody with some reference books but it may be a tall order.  I need to find the names of some planes from the 322nd BS, 91st BG, but all I have is the last 3 digits of the tail numbers, and these digits may have been recorded wrong by the historian who transcribed the mission dailies too.

Like I said, these planes were from the 322 BS, 91 BG, and I need at least 1 name.  Here are the partial tail numbers I have:

_ _ _ 634               _ _ _ 027

_ _ _ 090               _ _ _ 073

_ _ _ 673               _ _ _ 070

_ _ _ 333               _ _ _ 095

_ _ _ 996

I'm doing research myself too, but just thought I'd ask here too

Lol I already found one, so I might have all I need.   I listed # _ _ _ 634 and that is #231634 and was the B-17G  "Texas Chubby"