Revell B-17G Flying Fortress - 1:72

[Paul A H]

B-17G Flying Fortress

1:72 Revell

 

 

One of the most famous aircraft to see action in World War 2, Boeing’s B-17 nearly didn’t make it into service at all. Despite the fact that it enjoyed clear advantages over the competition, the relatively high cost of the aeroplane, combined with the loss of the prototype in a fatal crash, nearly ended the Flying Fortress’s career before it had begun. Such was the strength of the design, however, that Boeing were awarded a contract for thirteen more development aircraft and never looked back. The B-17 was used by the USAAF mainly for daylight strategic bombing duties over Europe, although it was also used in the Pacific Theatre. The type also saw service with many other air forces around the world, including the RAF. The ‘G’ version featured here was the final production variant.

 

 

 

Arriving in a very large end-opening box (much bigger than the box Revell used for their Lancaster), this brand spanking new kit is made up 237 parts. Inside the box are 8 sprues of silver plastic and one of clear plastic. The quality of the mouldings is very good, as you would expect from a modern kit from this manufacturer. The engraved panel lines look nice and are well executed, although they are quite pronounced around the nose of the aircraft. The transparent parts are thin and clear, but some of them had become detached from the sprue on my copy, so it’s as well that this sprue is sealed inside its own bag.

 

 

The assembly instructions are divided into 91 stages, which gives a good indication of the complexity of the model. The kit has an astonishingly detailed interior, construction of which takes up no fewer than 48 of those 91 stages. It begins with the wing spars and bomb bay, carries on through the cockpit and various crew stations and ends with the beautifully detailed turrets. The amount of interior detail is nothing short of spectacular, particularly so for the scale. All of the interior details, right down to the .50 cal Brownings, are beautifully moulded and I’m willing to bet many modellers will actually think twice before finally gluing the fuselage halves together. Once all of that interior detail is in place, the transparent panels that make up the sides of the nose can be fixed in place. This is a nice touch from Revell, and will help those modellers who don’t like having to work with small transparent parts (I’m sure we’ve all experienced that sinking feeling when a small window pops out of place and rattles around inside a sealed fuselage).

 

 

 

The large wings feature separate flaps and ailerons, but best of all are the engines. Each of these is made up of 6 parts, and once assembled should look good enough to display with the engine cowlings removed. The tail planes also feature separate control surfaces. In keeping with the rest of the kit, the undercarriage is very nicely detailed, and the tyres of the main wheels are moulded separately to the wheels themselves, which will help achieve a nice, neat finish once painted. The wings fit onto the fuselage with the help of spars, which should provide plenty of strength. If the bomb bay doors are to be displayed open (and it would be a crime not to), they will have to be cut in half prior to assembly. Construction then concludes with the installation of the turret guns, airscrews and various aerials.

 

 

 

Two colour schemes are provided:

• B-17G-35 “Little Miss Mischief” of the 8th Air Force, 1st Air Division, 1st Combat Wing, 91st Bomb Group, 324th Bomb Squadron, based at Bassingbourn in Cambridgeshire (depicted on the box artwork; and
• B-17G-30-80 “Nine O’Nine” 8th Air Force, 1st Air Division, 1st Combat Wing, 91st Bomb Group, 323rd Bomb Squadron, also based at Bassingbourn in Cambridgeshire. This aircraft is finished in an overall olive drab scheme.

The decals are nicely printed but have a slightly matt finish, so a splash of decal setting solution might be a good idea.

 

 

Conclusion

 

I’m not sure how Revell manage to pack this much detail and quality into their kits and still sell them at the price they do. This is a great kit and it looks as though it will offer a very rewarding and fun modelling experience. Highly recommended and an awful lot of model for the money.

 

Review sample courtesy of

[The Lazy Builder]

Hope they enlarge it and release it in 48th scale - that would be really tasty.

[jimbuna]

Great review

[Paul A H]

Hope they enlarge it and release it in 48th scale - that would be really tasty.

He he! I don't know if Revell will ever release it in 1:48, but if it packs in as much detail as the 1:72 version it would be a sight worth seeing!

Great review

Thanks chap!

[Mike]

It's a nice looking model - crackin' pictures too Paul

[Shar2]

Nice review of a very nice looking kit. If they did bring it out in 1/48 I'd certainly be getting one.

[daz greenwood]

It's a lovely kit.

I have it on my bench at the moment.

But why quote the whole post with pics and all?

[Obi-Jiff Kenobi]

Nicely done, Paul. If I didn't already want a bomb group's worth, your review would have sold me on it.

[perry]

It's a lovely kit.

But why quote the whole post with pics and all?

What Daz said!

[wellzy]

Thanks Paul great review and yes it would be nice it in 1/48th please

wellzy