tomprobert Posted October 23, 2019 Share Posted October 23, 2019 The B-17 is my all-time favourite aircraft and I've always wanted to build an early version in 1/48th scale. I bought the excellent Koster conversion a few years ago which gives you a new rear fuselage and stabilisers to convert the Monogram B-17G to an earlier B/C/D model. The conversion also comes with a Cheyenne tail turret and staggered waist gun set up to make a late G-model - parts I'd used previously: DSC_0129 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr The main components are all vacuform, and are molded very crisply. There are crystal clear canopies (the B/C/D models had a different flight deck arrangement as well as a more heavily framed nose piece) as well as decals for an early USAAF B-17C/D: DSC_0123 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr I decided to actually use the Revell B-17F kit, as it requires less modification to the nose than using the Monogram B-17G. However, you still have to do a fair bit of surgery to backdate the F to the earlier models. The nose needs cutting off and a section removed due to the shorter noses on the B/C/D models. The whole rear fuselage also needs removing just aft of the radio room: IMG_E1390 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr The new vacform rear fuselage can then be offered up to the Revell fuselage: IMG_E1388 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Here the shortened nose has been reattached and mods carried out to the cheek windows which were the earlier style without the later enlarged cheek gun windows seen on the late E-model onwards: IMG_E1428 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr It was then a case of painting the interior and gluing everything together: IMG_1633 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr IMG_1632 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr And that's as far as things have progressed so far. All pretty straight-forward as far as conversions go, helped by the excellent quality and fit of the Koster parts. This will eventually be finished as an RAF Fortress MkI as a tribute to the pioneers of daylight bombing very early in the war. Tom 30 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody37 Posted October 23, 2019 Share Posted October 23, 2019 Great start Tom, looking forwards to seeing your progress. Can’t wait for the new Fort from HK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomprobert Posted October 23, 2019 Author Share Posted October 23, 2019 32 minutes ago, woody37 said: Great start Tom, looking forwards to seeing your progress. Can’t wait for the new Fort from HK Cheers, Neil. Me neither - I’ve got about 5 Monogram kits still in the stash which I may well flog off now. The new HK kit looks stunning - I’ve got plans for a 100 Group version to accompany this one. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thom216 Posted October 23, 2019 Share Posted October 23, 2019 Love those early shark tails. I had a couple of those Kosters before I realized I was not going to use them, and that Academy had their 1/72 versions. Your progress is looking great. I'll be pulling up a couch to lay down on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang1989 Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 Nice!! I do love the modern world of modeling. So many goodies out there that weren't available to us decades ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomprobert Posted October 24, 2019 Author Share Posted October 24, 2019 16 hours ago, Thom216 said: Love those early shark tails. I had a couple of those Kosters before I realized I was not going to use them, and that Academy had their 1/72 versions. Your progress is looking great. I'll be pulling up a couch to lay down on! There’s something about the early Forts - they look so sleek with the earlier more streamlined fuselage and tail in my opinion. 8 hours ago, mustang1989 said: Nice!! I do love the modern world of modeling. So many goodies out there that weren't available to us decades ago. Thanks - this conversion is actually quite an old one and has been around for years. I believe Bill Koster has recently retired and therefore I’m not sure how easily his conversions will be to track down from now on which is a shame. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang1989 Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 I hear you on that with folks in the business retiring and then the availability of the parts/ AM kits Tom. I went through that same scenario with Ross Gibson engines for 1/24-1/25 scale autos. This guy made the coolest scale engines....and I mean the coolest!! Very detailed and crisply molded stuff. He passed away suddenly a few years ago and people were scrambling to get the remaining available stock that he had. It's dang near impossible to get your hands ahold of any of those engine kits these days at a decent price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LorenSharp Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 This will be fun. I have this gem buried somewhere in my forever stash. I'm going take notes for this one😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomprobert Posted March 19, 2020 Author Share Posted March 19, 2020 Little bit more done on the Fort of late. Cockpit interior finished off after raiding the spares box of some old Monogram seats - the earlier C-models had four seats on the flightdeck: IMG_1649 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr The engines have been painted and the cowls added. The C-model didn't have cowl flaps so there were removed, replaced with plastic card and then blended in with filler. The vacform cockpit glazing was carefully cut to shape, added to the upper fuselage and given a rough coat of bronze green prior to priming. I also made the nose windows from clear acetate which were carefully cut to shape and secured with Clearfix: IMG_1845 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr On the underside, the vacformed 'bath-tub' under gun emplacement has been trimmed and added, the openings for the oil coolers between the engines banked off and filled, and the small oil cooler intakes added to the outboard sides of the outer nacelles, and just forward of the wheels wells on the inner nacelles. There were all provided by the conversion kit so it was just a case of trimming them to size: IMG_1846 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr I've also settled on a scheme, too: Fortress MkI 3 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr (Used for illustrative purposes only) I now need to add the clear nose piece, and it'll be time for primer. Happy modelling all. Tom 15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAT69 Posted March 19, 2020 Share Posted March 19, 2020 That's an impressive build and will give you something truly unique to display. Bet you see very few of those, either at modeling shows or even on internet modeling web sites. I too really like the early B-17s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted March 19, 2020 Share Posted March 19, 2020 This is cool. I remember there was a movie about the Pearl Harbour attack told from the point of view of a bomber crew, who were flying this model of B-17. I think it might have been done while the war was on, and I can remember thinking what a weird looking tail the early B-17 had Keep up the good work Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob K. Posted March 19, 2020 Share Posted March 19, 2020 Nice conversion. I have a G in my stash and the eduard set(s) to go with it. Have started it, but have trouble finishing. Getting motivated again after seeing your WIP. 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Posted March 19, 2020 Share Posted March 19, 2020 Hi Tom Looks like another stunner! 109ace on Facebook/ eBay is in the process of producing a resin B17C/D conversion in 1/48 to be released soon. Don’t know how much it will be yet (hope the pound recovers against the dollar soon!). Cheers Glen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Smith Posted March 19, 2020 Share Posted March 19, 2020 On 24/10/2019 at 11:32, tomprobert said: I believe Bill Koster has recently retired and therefore I’m not sure how easily his conversions will be to track down from now on which is a shame. Rumour has it someone in the US picked up his masters, there was a thread(s) about this on Hyperscale. I regret not ordering some bits when I still could.... I have a couple of Koster items I picked up elsewhere, and was very impressed by them. I think the vac bits will work better than resin for big bits like this, shame vacforms have become 'old hat'... Great work on the Fortress! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomprobert Posted March 20, 2020 Author Share Posted March 20, 2020 On 3/19/2020 at 5:41 PM, SAT69 said: That's an impressive build and will give you something truly unique to display. Bet you see very few of those, either at modeling shows or even on internet modeling web sites. I too really like the early B-17s. You don't see too many around but I have seen one at a couple of shows in the UK done in the very nice war-games schemes used by the US army in the days leading up to Pearl Harbor. It was a real eye-catcher. On 3/19/2020 at 5:44 PM, Mike said: This is cool. I remember there was a movie about the Pearl Harbour attack told from the point of view of a bomber crew, who were flying this model of B-17. I think it might have been done while the war was on, and I can remember thinking what a weird looking tail the early B-17 had Keep up the good work Tom Thanks, Mike. A flight of B-17s flew right into the thick of the attack - out of gas and out of ammo. One of the pilots was quoted as saying, "What a way to join a war..." On 3/19/2020 at 6:11 PM, Rob K. said: Nice conversion. I have a G in my stash and the eduard set(s) to go with it. Have started it, but have trouble finishing. Getting motivated again after seeing your WIP. 👍 Get cracking! You can never see too many B-17s being built. 23 hours ago, Glen said: Hi Tom Looks like another stunner! 109ace on Facebook/ eBay is in the process of producing a resin B17C/D conversion in 1/48 to be released soon. Don’t know how much it will be yet (hope the pound recovers against the dollar soon!). Cheers Glen Hi Glen, Yes - I had seen that. He's doing/done a Privateer as well I believe. Hope all is good with you - and you haven't got too much unwelcome time on your hands with the lack of flying..? 22 hours ago, Troy Smith said: Rumour has it someone in the US picked up his masters, there was a thread(s) about this on Hyperscale. I regret not ordering some bits when I still could.... I have a couple of Koster items I picked up elsewhere, and was very impressed by them. I think the vac bits will work better than resin for big bits like this, shame vacforms have become 'old hat'... Great work on the Fortress! It would be a shame for the range not to be continued. Koster kits are indeed excellent - some of the best vacform parts out there. I'd dearly love the Privateer conversion one day so I'd be very happy to see them re-released. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Posted March 20, 2020 Share Posted March 20, 2020 1 hour ago, tomprobert said: Hi Glen, Yes - I had seen that. He's doing/done a Privateer as well I believe. Hope all is good with you - and you haven't got too much unwelcome time on your hands with the lack of flying..? I bought the Privateer a couple of weeks ago (sadly just before he retooled it!) and will probably go for a B17 when it comes around and the £ and work have recovered. Unfortunately looks like a lot of unpaid time at home coming up.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tzulscha Posted March 20, 2020 Share Posted March 20, 2020 That looks amazing! Koster did some of the best vac work out there and you are doing it justice sir! (Hmm, I think I have one of those...somewhere...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonC Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 On 19/03/2020 at 14:01, tomprobert said: the earlier C-models had four seats on the flightdeck Interesting. What did the two in the back do? It doesn’t look like they had much space (or kit!) to perform any duties! Lovely build so far Tom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomprobert Posted March 21, 2020 Author Share Posted March 21, 2020 (edited) 10 hours ago, Glen said: I bought the Privateer a couple of weeks ago (sadly just before he retooled it!) and will probably go for a B17 when it comes around and the £ and work have recovered. Unfortunately looks like a lot of unpaid time at home coming up.... Unpaid leave... not good. Let's hope everything gets back to normality as soon as possible. Still, it may give you some extra time time at the bench... every cloud... What's the quality of the Privateer like? Worth the investment? Agreed that it's probably best to wait until the £ recovers a little! 10 hours ago, Tzulscha said: That looks amazing! Koster did some of the best vac work out there and you are doing it justice sir! (Hmm, I think I have one of those...somewhere...) Yes indeed - once trimmed and sanded to shape, the parts fit as good as any injection-molded kit I've built. Transparencies are beautiful, too. 18 minutes ago, JasonC said: Interesting. What did the two in the back do? It doesn’t look like they had much space (or kit!) to perform any duties! Lovely build so far Tom. Thanks, Jason - the extra seats on the flightdeck were, I believe, for the flight engineer and an observer, who used the large astrodome above to act as fire-control and direct the gunners in coordinating the bomber's defensive fire. When the upper turret came in on the 'big-tailed' E-models, there was no longer any room for the two additional seats and they were removed. The rear floor had to be lowered too to accommodate the turret's framing. When you delve into it, the earlier 'shark-fin' models were a very different beast to the 'big-fin' later versions. Tom Edited March 21, 2020 by tomprobert Typos 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomprobert Posted March 27, 2020 Author Share Posted March 27, 2020 I've now added the nose transparency - this was the only part of the conversion that didn't fit particularly well and was a little too large. This is maybe because it's designed for the Monogram rather than Revell kit, but some very careful trimming and filing meant I got there in the end. I did think I was ready for masking and priming, but a ghost-seam has appeared where the vacform rear fuselage joins the injection-molded Revell plastic so another round of filler needed before I can add any paint: S1030196 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr S1030192 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Hopefully, the next update will be reporting on some paint going on! Stay safe out there... Tom 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomprobert Posted April 9, 2020 Author Share Posted April 9, 2020 I've taken advantage of the beautiful weather and have sprayed the Fort. First was a coat of Halford's finest: IMG_0036 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr Followed by Xtracolour's finest: S1030240 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr S1030242 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr And the undersides: S1030245 by Thomas Probert, on Flickr This will have a day or two to harden off, and then it'll be decal time... All the best, Tom 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hewy Posted April 9, 2020 Share Posted April 9, 2020 Thats a smashing job tom, a real eye catcher 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
72modeler Posted April 9, 2020 Share Posted April 9, 2020 Amazing job! I totally agree with the others about the quality of the vacforms that Bill Koster produced- even if they were not in my preferred scale. There's something so majestic about a shark fin Fort in natural metal or RAF colors! Can't wait to see the RFI! BTW, I wasn't aware that the B-17C/D nose was that much shorter than the later variants; I had always thought it was just the more blunt nose transparency. Mike @Mike, Maybe the film you recall was 'Air Force' which was filmed during the war using shark fin B-17's from training units. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Force_(film) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted April 10, 2020 Share Posted April 10, 2020 I must have somehow missed this one, Tom. Lovely work as always. The Kings Arms in Polebrook village has photographs of Clark Gable and B-17's in the bar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted April 10, 2020 Share Posted April 10, 2020 Not sure how I missed this one, but I've just caught up. She's looking great. I must admit I had no idea they were so different from the later models, I'd always assumed it was basically just the tail and armament. The early USAAF ones with the striped tails are certainly eye catching! Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now