HANG THE EXPENSE

Outstanding work you have done to this model and I applaud your attention to detail.I rebuild the real thing these days and if I can help with a detail picture do not hesitate to ask.I am rebuilding the top turret tub for a G model in the mighty eighth museum along with a litany of other parts for several B-17s.

They should have done the F model to begin with so as to broaden market appeal instead of that late model.I'm sure more people would already be on the hook for 1 or 2 instead so many of us are waiting till april or march.

I'm of the same mind.

Have you picked up the model yet?

The fuselage is not straight from nose to tail.Seems as if the model is.The production break is right aft of the wing called sta 6.From sta1 to 6 is on a straight line.6 to 11 has an upward sweep.Is that what your thinking?

I doubt they will change it but maybe one of the aftermarket guys will address the issue.The 48 scale birds got it right.I will wait on the F model and I already have an idea for the fix.The other issue is that the fuselage may not have the upward sweep from frame 6(ball turret bulkhead.The fix for that will require cutting the fuselage and adding the upward angle for the back half.

I know Steve and we converse over at aerovintage about SWP B-17s early in the war. The man knows his topic better than any other. The nose at the windscreen on the model is perfectly round and that is not the case on the real bird.It is flattened out significantly between the upper longerons. The top of the nose flattens out from station 2(astrodome location) to the windscreen. When you get the model you will notice how scrunched the windscreen looks. Thats because the fuselage is round at sta3 and not flat. Look at your 48 scale bird and compare the two. Friends of mine explained to the company making the molds but they didn't care or were too far into the molds to change it. Its a shame because all they had to do was ask and my friends would have helped them in any way possible to ensure the model turned out the very best. Just the way monogram did back in the 70s.BTW I think Pride of Seattle is about the first 300 F models IIRC.

They modded some aircraft while others were left alone.I guess it could have been how long they were in service.F models served in combat units up till march of 44 which at that time they were withdrawn.Sooner or later they were lost in crackups or combat with a good number making it back to training units.The real Memphis belle made it back to a training unit as did hells angels and knockout dropper to name a few.I believe they served as gunnery trainers or at least the belle did.There are post war pics of hells angels with no turrets which leads me to think she was used in pilot training.

Yes, would be my guess. I am now working on the cockpit enclosure. I also found out that the astrodome assy that was retrofitted to early F models is different from production versions but not by much. A friend of mine is rebuilding a 17 called lucky13 from the 384th that has the mod. Oh and yes we are insane.

From what I understand in the conversation the nose will be offered with a panel that includes the four windows across the top for the E and early F model.That will also make it so much easier to fix the nose correctly right at the windscreen. If you could see what I see every day it would scream at you.

I have just heard that the E and F models are to be released around march of next year.The nose is supposed to be in multiple sections to accomadate the various versions.I will wait for the F model.Just thought I would let everybody know.

Well its been a month now. Anything new on this monster?

Really nice work you are doing there.I see the problem with station #3.Looks like its about an 1/8 to 3/16 too tall at the top dead center