1:48 B17 F/G Flying Fortress

From the F Fortress to the G Fortress

The Flying Fortress went through a visible change during the war. Version B-17F still relied on defensive fire from hand-operated nose positions, whereas the later B-17G received a twin-barrel turret under the nose, which closed off the most vulnerable direction of attack for German fighters. Both versions flew in the same formations for a while, and this item therefore covers them together.

There are four designs: Old Faithful, Lady Luscious, Two Beauts and Iza vailable. The names speak of two different moods in which the crews approached their machines. One nickname appreciates the reliability of a machine that came back every time; the other three belong to the period genre of female epithets. The printing is supplemented by small marks recording the results of combat activity. Nicknames also changed along with the crew, so one and the same fuselage could in the course of its service carry two entirely different drawings in turn, and surviving photographs confirm it.

Before you reach for water

Decide first which version you are building, because the nose of the two machines has a different shape and the design is laid on it at a slightly different height. Good photographs of the particular aircraft will save you re-sticking things later. Separate the drawing from the sheet with a narrow margin, dip it in lukewarm water for a few seconds and let it rest on the paper for a while until it starts to slide freely. Only then carry it onto the model. On the seams of the skin, pressure with a cotton bud helps, and once dry a final clear coat.