1/72 Academy B-17E Flying Fortress

Gallery Article by Andrew Johnson on July 4 2014

United States of America Independence Day

 

The B-17E was a comprehensive re-design from the C model previously tested and found wanting by the RAF. Now with ventral ball and tail gun positions with a re-designed fin the B-17 was now ready to test the theory of the self-defending bomber group. The main theatre of war for the E model was the Pacific as Europe took priority for the more powerful F model. B-17Es’ took the war to the Japanese Pacific Empire from bases in Australia after the fall of the Philippines and Java.

 

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This is the 1/72 Academy kit with scratch built interior for the lower cockpit entry compartment radio room and rear fuselage. Interior was then dressed up with Eduard photo etch and Quickboost oxygen bottles. Scratch built seats were needed for the Bombadier and Navigator. The wing dihedral was adjusted with plasticard shims and filler. Exterior received rivets and extra panel lines. Quickboost engines and cowlings with added ignition wiring. Squadron Vac-form canopy, nose and turret. Also we have Quickboost 0.50 gun barrels. All other windows were cut to shape from acetate. Landing light lens from ‘Little cars’. 

Painted with Aeromaster paints and decals sourced from Kits World.

Andrew Johnson

      

Photos and text © by Andrew Johnson