1/72 B-17G Airfix, Released. New boxing Fortress MK.III also released. New B-17G boxing for 2021

[Dave Fleming]

Wouldn't bet against Airfix supplying that as a decal - like the intakes on the Sea King

[Homebee]

Source: http://www.primeportal.net/models/thomas_voigt10/airfix/

V.P.

[Homebee]

Source: http://www.ipmsdeutschland.de/Ausstellungen/Nuernberg2016/Bilder_AT/Bilder_AT_1.htm

V.P.

[Mr T]

Not impressed by the transparency of the clear parts (Tongue firmly in check. Looks very nice, shall I continue with my Revell 100 Gp Fortress III.

[sroubos]

I'm sure a dip in Future will sort that out!

[Jas Madahar]

I wonder why nobody has done a new B17, B24 or 29 in 1/48th? I appreciate that the Monogram versions were good for their day (I built all of them!). I cannot see that there wouldn't be a decent new model of the B17 as I'm sure it would sell. Maybe that's why I'm a modeller and not a model manufacturer. But as someone once said, 'give the consumer what they want!'

[occa]

Not impressed by the transparency of the clear parts (Tongue firmly in check. Looks very nice, shall I continue with my Revell 100 Gp Fortress III.

They are certainly not final

[Homebee]

Source: http://www.ipmsdeutschland.de/Ausstellungen/Nuernberg2016/Bilder_JLF/Bilder_JLF_1.htm

V.P.

[Homebee]

Release expected in late September 2016.

Source: http://www.airfix.com/uk-en/boeing-b17g-1-72.html

Schemes

As one of the most famous US aircraft of the Second World War, the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress has always been a source of fascination for aviation enthusiasts and military historians alike. Flying from bases in the UK, the US Eighth Air Force flew these mighty bombers deep into enemy occupied units and pounded targets during daylight hours. Originally not able to rely on the protection of friendly fighter aircraft for the duration of their mission, B-17 crews would be forced to use the concentrated firepower of their many defensive guns to either fend off or destroy attacking Luftwaffe fighters. It is difficult to imagine just how frightening these missions must have been for the bomber crews, with swarms of enemy fighters making repeated and determined attacks against the mighty US bomber streams, accurate flak barrages exploding all around them and an aircraft full of bombs that needed to be delivered accurately on their latest target. All the time this carnage in the sky was taking place, they knew that if they did not destroy their target, they would be sent back into this cauldron to try again.

The announcement in Workbench edition 4 that Airfix would be producing a brand new 1/72nd scale version of the Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress (A08017) came as a very pleasant surprise to many modellers and we have seen unprecedented levels of interest around this model. Featuring the same incredible levels of detail found on the latest crop of new Airfix model offerings, we are pleased to be in a position to bring you details of the scheme options that will accompany the release of this kit.

Scheme Option 1

Boeing B-17G-65-BO Flying Fortress, 43-37521 EP-K ‘Skyway Chariot’, 351st Bomb Squadron, 100th Bomb Group, US Eighth Air Force, Thorpe Abbots, Norfolk, March 1945.

The nose art that adorned many of the US bomber aircraft of the Second World War are an absolute fascination for many and were the reason behind many people turning to modelling in the first place. The particular aircraft detailed above was delivered from the United Airlines Modification Centre at Cheyenne, Wyoming and was assigned to the 351st BS/ 100th BG at Thorpe Abbots on 30th May 1944. ‘Skyway Chariot’ was lost on a mission to Berlin on 18th March 1945, after coming under concerted attack from a number of Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighters. On the first attack, a 262 took out the tail gunners position and shredded the vertical stabilizer – the next attack effectively knocked out all the bombers control lines, rendering the mighty bomber completely helpless. The order was given to abandon the aircraft, which later exploded in mid-air, with wreckage coming down near the German town of Tangermunde, west of Berlin. Tragically, three of the crew were killed in action, with the other six becoming prisoners of war.

The USAAF 100th Bombardment Group became known as the ‘Bloody Hundredth’ due to the relatively high loss rates the Group suffered during operations over occupied Europe. Although they were not the highest loss rates for an Eighth Air Force Group during WWII, they did illustrate the terrible dangers that faced daylight bomber crews, particularly during the early stages of the campaign. Sent to attack some particularly heavily defended targets such as Regensburg, when the strength of the Luftwaffe had not been affected by attricional losses, the Bloody Hundredth suffered terribly at the hands of German fighters and showed exceptional bravery in carrying out their orders in the face of such fearsome opposition. It was only when Allied fighters had the ability to escort the bombers much further into Europe that Luftwaffe losses began to mount and bomber crews could rely on some much needed protection.

Scheme Option 2

Boeing B-17G-75-BO Flying Fortress, 43-37993 DF-N ‘Mah Ideel’, 324th Bomb Squadron, 91st Bomb Group, US Eighth Air Force, Bassingbourn, Cambridgeshire, Early 1945.

Again, this particular Fortress was delivered from the United Airlines Modification Centre at Cheyenne in June 1944. She was originally assigned to the 401st BS/91st BG (coded LL-U), before later joining the 324th Bomb Squadron at Bassingbourn in Cambridgeshire. Despite sustaining battle damage on a number of occasions, ‘Mah Ideel’ was always patched up and managed to complete an impressive 72 combat missions over enemy occupied Europe.

The 91st Bomb Group were colloquially known as the ‘Ragged Irregulars’ and flew 340 combat missions between 7th November 1942 and 25th April 1945, comprising of no fewer than 9,591 individual sorties. Dropping some 22,142 tons of bombs, the Group lost 197 aircraft during this period, which was one of the highest loss rates for any USAAF Bomb Group during the Second World War. They were also the first 8th Air Force Bomb Group to complete 100 missions flown (on 5th January 1944) and claimed at least 420 enemy aircraft destroyed.

The new 1/72nd scale Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress (A08017) is scheduled for a late September release, but please keep checking the Airfix website for the very latest information.

V.P.

Edited July 20, 2016 by Homebee

[Sobby_23]

Maybe just me, but I'm a little disappointed by the schemes on offer. I've no doubt that the kit will be a cracker and an enjoyable build, but it would have been nice to see some variety in the schemes provided. I guess aftermarket might solve that.

[mungo1974]

As i said in the Airfix decal thread....the Bomb Group schemes are a bit yawn...seen it all before. And it not like with a small amount of research on their part they couldn't have come up with a nice Olive Drab Douglas built B-17G-35-DL...

The nose art they've choosen is a little bland too...but i guess they have to keep it PG rated thesedays...and leave the cheesecake nudes to the aftermarket.

Still all that being said i can't wait for the kit to arrive.

[PhantomBigStu]

Disappointed theres no olive drab option in the box, that's I want to build

[Bear Paw]

I like the schemes. Bog standard bomb groups. It is what it was in the 8th Airforce. A good testimont to the young men that are in Madingley

https://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries-memorials/europe/cambridge-american-cemetery#.V4lLTfR4WJJ

[Max Headroom]

First release schemes may be the usual suspects but this will sell by the container load in the USA. Someone pointed out a H2S radar on the sprue shots, so a 100 Group release is a good possibility.

Trevor

[Vicarage Vee]

Looking forward to the kit certainly. The choices of markings are indeed, how to say, "safe". All Bomb Groups deserve utter respect but it really isn't pushing the boat out to do the 91st and 100th again. But I suppose there's no shortage of aftermarket, and mix and match gives most unit markings.

Having said that, there's plenty of reference material for something a bit different and neither of these are particularly famous B-17s, so why not something a bit more out of the ordinary. at least as one of the options?

[Mark4700]

I think I'll wait to judge until it's been released and some of us have built it. Is it going to be so much better than the revel kit?

[Tbolt]

I think I'll wait to judge until it's been released and some of us have built it. Is it going to be so much better than the revel kit?

I think it will be a good improvement over the Revell kit as long as Airfix don't make a mistake, but then again it is a different version. I'll be picking one up as soon as it's available, it would be nice if they did a few more versions as well.

Edited July 22, 2016 by Tbolt

[Dave Fleming]

At least the test shots don't suggest a surface texture on par with a tiled wall!

[Dave Fleming]

As i said in the Airfix decal thread....the Bomb Group schemes are a bit yawn...seen it all before.

I've had a search and I can't find any refernce to either of those being done in kit or aftermarket decals before. As far as I can work out, both are new options.

[mungo1974]

I've had a search and I can't find any refernce to either of those being done in kit or aftermarket decals before. As far as I can work out, both are new options.

Not the individual airframes just the fact its the same two common Bomb Groups we always get in decal form..... when others who served get little or no love.

30 different Bomb Groups flew B-17's with the 8th AF...if you include the 97th & 301st prior to there transfer to N.Africa and the Pathfinder 482nd PFF @ Alconbury, yet another B-17 kit comes along and somebody think's....Oh i know lets do a red tail Bassingbourn 91st aircraft......cuz nobody ever does them....right?

Just hope the aftermarket guys step up and give us some more interesting 8th/15th AF options.

I may sound negative but really can't wait to get hold of this kit.

Edited July 22, 2016 by mungo1974

[Byron Boyd]

First release schemes may be the usual suspects but this will sell by the container load in the USA. Someone pointed out a H2S radar on the sprue shots, so a 100 Group release is a good possibility.

Trevor

Unless it ends up like the B5N2 Kate, which only hits our shores about a couple dozen a time, and then are sold out for the next 3 months until the next couple dozen hit, etc....

But yes, if it arrives in the US in quantity, it should sell in quantity. Here's hoping.

Byron

[fightersweep]

I agree with Mungo. Some other choices for Bomb Group markings would have been nice. Seems like the 91st was the only group in the 8th sometimes, just as the 4th and 56th are with the Fighter Groups.

Very rarely see 401st BG markings for example.

Regards;

Steve

[Wez]

Whilst I understand people's wishes that other Bomb Groups were featured, what are the options for a late B-17G with staggered waist guns and a Cheyenne tail turret? Are there decals available for aircraft in this configuration?

I'm not trying to be provocative, I'd just like to know so I can make my own mind up what scheme to make the kit in. Personally, I'm disappointed that we have two USAAF schemes, I would liked to have seen a 100 Group RAF aircraft myself.

Edited July 23, 2016 by Wez

[Vicarage Vee]

There are colour photos available of 486th, 379th, 331st, 388th, 306th, 447th, 34th, 490th, 94th, 401st, 385th... actually, it's unlikely that any Bomb Group wasn't covered, I've only had a quick look and amongst them are plenty of late G models there. There's a wide selection of PG-rated nose-art to choose from too.

Really pleased to see a(nother) new B17 kit, but can't help thinking that there is a very well thumbed copy of Marion Havelaar's book being passed around various manufacturers!

[Greenshirt]

It'll be a boon to the AM decal makers. I'll certainly get a set of decals for a different BG, I've got a 91st already on my shelf. And if it's a very good and varied sheet, I may buy a second kit...

Tim