tomprobert Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 (edited) It's hard to know what Airfix are thinking regarding possible future releases of this kit. The fuselage sprues seem to suggest that an extended earlier tail piece could be an option, however would this also require the non-staggered waist gun positions from these earlier versions? If that's the case, then (and I'm no B-17 expert) we may also need new fuselage halves as well as the extended tail. The clear sprues also suggest a H2S dome, so one would surmise that a 100 group RAF version is also planned. 2016, saw a number of 2015 new tool kits re-released into slightly different versions - He111H, B5N1 Kate, Late Beaufighter, Car Door Tiffy, perhaps a RAF Fortress III is on the agenda for 2017? Cheers.. Dave I'm no B-17 expert but the staggered waist guns came in earlier than the Cheyenne tail. If Airfix give is the standard tail there's plenty of B-17 that can be built from the kit. As Tbolt says the staggered waist guns were introduced quite a while before the Cheyenne tail turret was introduced. An ideal scenario would have been for Airfix to provide both versions of tail turret, but leave the modeller the option of opening which ever waist window configuration they wanted to depict in the starboard fuselage half. This would mean they'd have to provide two different types of waist window glazing, but there'd be almost endless options of building any early/mid-production block B-17G onward. However, doing it as they have means Airfix can then go on to release numerous other versions of the kit in various 'new editions' (such as earlier Gs, Fs, Es etc) forcing us B-17 fans to spend more of our cash Edited August 15, 2016 by tomprobert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mungo1974 Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 Both tail turrets would have made things alittle easier. Even the Douglas camouflaged ones Tom mentioned rolled off the Long Beach production line with the original turret in place and unstagged waist guns as did all the later NMF ones too....because that's what the Army Air Corps had paid for. All the upgrades to turrets etc took place post production Some of the Douglas -30DL aircraft were later fitted with the "Cheyenne" turret at the Wyoming Modification Center others had the swap done once the aircraft was assigned to a Bomb Group using field kits....others never got them...Welcome to the minefield of B-17 research...LOL Workers cutting off original turret to fit a Cheyenne position. Rosie & pal removing the nose windows ready for cheek gun install. And the new parts ready to go on....like a big Airfix kit...LOL 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 Showing as "add to basket" instead of pre-order on airfix.com http://www.airfix.com/uk-en/shop/pre-orders/boeing-b17g-1-72.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie_c67 Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 And now out of stock.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckb1 Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 In stock and on its way apparently to ChuckB Towers. P40 is taking precedent though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted October 31, 2016 Share Posted October 31, 2016 Nah out of stock again,......bummer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Headroom Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 Coming soon to Wonderland Models! https://www.wonderlandmodels.com/products/airfix-172-boeing-b-17g-flying-fortress-2016/ Trevor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trickydicky210 Posted November 1, 2016 Share Posted November 1, 2016 (edited) Back in Stock at Airfix HQ http://www.airfix.com/uk-en/shop/new-for-2016/boeing-b17g-1-72.html Edited November 1, 2016 by trickydicky210 link added 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhantomBigStu Posted November 4, 2016 Share Posted November 4, 2016 tempted to get this though I might as well go for the revell seing as I want to build an OD B-17G..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chuckb1 Posted November 4, 2016 Share Posted November 4, 2016 Its arrived. Problem they have sent me two and only billed me for one.......... ooops and thanks Airfix 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
593jones Posted November 4, 2016 Share Posted November 4, 2016 4 hours ago, chuckb1 said: Its arrived. Problem they have sent me two and only billed me for one.......... ooops and thanks Airfix If I were you I'd have kept that to myself! (Jealous, me?) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stever219 Posted November 5, 2016 Share Posted November 5, 2016 (edited) Got mine too. Looks like Airfis are planning an SB-17 or versions fitted with H2X or Mickey radar installations: radomes are in the box already (sorry, no photos at present). C'm'on chaps; you know you WANT to do a 100 Group RCM version, don't you? First impressions are good: panel lines are quite fine, but not as many round the nose as on Revell's kit; lots of interior detail, most of which won't be seen; pilots' seats are five parts and two transfers each; three-part seats for navigator, bombardier, wireless operator(s); separate rear door; full depth tailwheel well (a first?); full detail for retracted undercarriage legs and jacks; separate main wheels and tyres. Some of the painting instructions look a bit sus: Dark Earth cockpit side walls & roof? Night cockpit floor? Aluminium ("Aloominum" ?) fuselage interior and wheel wells throughout? No delineation of de-icing boots on flying surfaces (they were removed from/not installed on some late-war aircraft, which had thermal de-icing instead IIRC). Transfer sheet looks very nice; effectively three options (one subject served with two units and both are covered) and future issues will probably feature de-icing boots if required, a bit like the yellow leading-edge stripes on the 1/72th Typhoon for example. The B-17 isn't one of my favourite aircraft (I prefer the B-24), but I enjoyed building Airfix's original B-17 a long time ago (and I stil have an unbuilt example in the loft in the horrid Palitoy box) but this kit looks like it will provide plenty of enjoyment and a bit of an AMS bust as well as a reference source for sprucing up an Academy Flying Fortress B. Mk. I. One note of warning: it looks like the Airfix packaging gremlin has struck again. One of our local Club members got a kit with two sets of upper wing surfaces and no undersurfaces. Two other kits from the same retailer, mine included, have been checked and are not deficient in this respect, having the correct number and selection of mainplane parts. Edited November 5, 2016 by stever219 Additional info. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mungo1974 Posted November 5, 2016 Share Posted November 5, 2016 27 minutes ago, stever219 said: Some of the painting instructions look a bit sus: Dark Earth cockpit side walls & roof? Night cockpit floor? Aluminium ("Aloominum" ?) fuselage interior and wheel wells throughout? No delineation of de-icing boots on flying surfaces (they were removed from/not installed on some late-war aircraft, which had thermal de-icing instead IIRC). Transfer sheet looks very nice; effectively three options (one subject served with two units and both are covered) and future issues will probably feature de-icing boots if required, a bit like the yellow leading-edge stripes on the 1/72th Typhoon for example. Cockpit area should be dark bronze green,the black cockpit floor will be the non/slip/skid coating applied over the wooden flooring under/behind the cockpits seats extending back to the FE/Top Turret gunner position...and yes WW2 B-17's were unpainted bare aluminum thru out the fuselage and wheel wells...restored aircraft are painted green for anti-corrosion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mungo1974 Posted November 5, 2016 Share Posted November 5, 2016 Really want to see the tail turret built up so i can see just how bad the seam will be...would have been much better if Airfix had molded the clear glazing as a seperate part and the left/right sides of the turret along with the gunslot pumpkin in the grey plastic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stever219 Posted November 5, 2016 Share Posted November 5, 2016 Thanks mungo1974: faux pas averted, noted for when building starts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tbolt Posted November 5, 2016 Share Posted November 5, 2016 5 hours ago, stever219 said: Got mine too. Looks like Airfis are planning an SB-17 or versions fitted with H2X or Mickey radar installations: radomes are in the box already (sorry, no photos at present). C'm'on chaps; you know you WANT to do a 100 Group RCM version, don't you? First impressions are good: panel lines are quite fine, but not as many round the nose as on Revell's kit; lots of interior detail, most of which won't be seen; pilots' seats are five parts and two transfers each; three-part seats for navigator, bombardier, wireless operator(s); separate rear door; full depth tailwheel well (a first?); full detail for retracted undercarriage legs and jacks; separate main wheels and tyres. Some of the painting instructions look a bit sus: Dark Earth cockpit side walls & roof? Night cockpit floor? Aluminium ("Aloominum" ?) fuselage interior and wheel wells throughout? No delineation of de-icing boots on flying surfaces (they were removed from/not installed on some late-war aircraft, which had thermal de-icing instead IIRC). Transfer sheet looks very nice; effectively three options (one subject served with two units and both are covered) and future issues will probably feature de-icing boots if required, a bit like the yellow leading-edge stripes on the 1/72th Typhoon for example. The B-17 isn't one of my favourite aircraft (I prefer the B-24), but I enjoyed building Airfix's original B-17 a long time ago (and I stil have an unbuilt example in the loft in the horrid Palitoy box) but this kit looks like it will provide plenty of enjoyment and a bit of an AMS bust as well as a reference source for sprucing up an Academy Flying Fortress B. Mk. I. One note of warning: it looks like the Airfix packaging gremlin has struck again. One of our local Club members got a kit with two sets of upper wing surfaces and no undersurfaces. Two other kits from the same retailer, mine included, have been checked and are not deficient in this respect, having the correct number and selection of mainplane parts. As I thought when I first saw the built up pictures, that a lot of the panel are missing on the nose section - Airfix added panel lines where there aren't any on the P-40 and missed them here! Oh well a bit of careful scribing required. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homebee Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 (edited) New boxing expected in Q2 2017 - 1/72nd Boeing Fortress MK.III - ref. A08018 Source: http://www.airfix.com/uk-en/shop/new-for-2017/boeing-fortress-mk-iii-1-72.html Scheme 1 - “Take it Easy”, No.214 (Federated Malay States) Squadron, No. 100 (Bomber Support) Group, Royal Air Force Downham Market, Norfolk, England, 1944. Scheme 2 - KJ121 44-8624 6G-B 223 Squadron V.P. Edited January 4, 2017 by Homebee 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 Looking forwards to this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shatters Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 Are all the raf specific parts supplied in the current b-17g or will another sprue be add for the fortress III ? Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modelldoc Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 What a pitty, last year I finished the Paragon conversion for a Fortress III on a Revell B-17, and now that, But I think that comes more in the future (Mickey Mouse!) modelldoc 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyot Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 I`m just building the new Fortress as a 100 Group machine but I think that the H2S radome in the kit is located too far forward and doesn`t look right,......so I`m using the Paragon vacuformed one. The glass dome under the nose behind the radome is provided on the clear sprue, but I couldn`t find anything else. Cheers Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mungo1974 Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 Doesn't look too bad,the ECM aerials look alittle clunky. Flame dampers,Chaff chute & waist gun bumpstops look good. Can't tell if we'll get the black out curtain for the nose...only other negatives i see with the CAD are the nose check guns(not fitted on RAF Fortress III) and it still has its ball turret which should be romoved and plated over like the colour scheme side profiles.. Will be adding to the stash no doubt...here's hoping for a early 'G' or B-17F in 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mungo1974 Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 (edited) Also noted the B-17G/8th Air Force Resupply combo for £49.99 With decals for 'Thundermug' one of the few Camouflage Douglas built aircraft with the staggered waist and late tail for those who dislike NMF. http://www.airfix.com/uk-en/shop/new-for-2017/eighth-air-force-resupply-set-1-72.html Edited January 6, 2017 by mungo1974 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tbolt Posted January 6, 2017 Share Posted January 6, 2017 On 04/01/2017 at 10:57 PM, mungo1974 said: Doesn't look too bad,the ECM aerials look alittle clunky. Flame dampers,Chaff chute & waist gun bumpstops look good. Can't tell if we'll get the black out curtain for the nose...only other negatives i see with the CAD are the nose check guns(not fitted on RAF Fortress III) and it still has its ball turret which should be romoved and plated over like the colour scheme side profiles.. Will be adding to the stash no doubt...here's hoping for a early 'G' or B-17F in 2018 Didn't some Fortress III's have the ball turret fitted? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truro Model Builder Posted January 7, 2017 Share Posted January 7, 2017 On 1/4/2017 at 7:56 PM, shatters said: Are all the raf specific parts supplied in the current b-17g or will another sprue be add for the fortress III ? Phil No, there will be extra parts in the RAF boxing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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