1:48 Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress nose interior

The real subject

The Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress was an American four-engine heavy bomber of the Second World War. The glazed nose was among its identifying features: part of the crew worked in it and through the large areas of glass you can see inside even on a finished model. That is exactly why an empty nose on a kit gives itself away at first glance.

What the set contains

This Eduard photo-etched set in 1:48 scale concentrates on the interior of the forward fuselage. The metal parts have a thickness far closer to the real subject than injection-molded plastic, so even small cabin fittings read more faithfully and do not look oversized. The range of parts and the places they are fitted are described in the manufacturer's instructions enclosed with the set; it pays to compare them with the kit you are building.

Building and painting tips

Fit and paint the interior before you glue the fuselage halves together, because after that you will no longer reach it. Separate the parts with a sharp knife on a hard surface and make the bends along the scored lines in a bender or between two blades. They are glued with cyanoacrylate in a vanishing amount applied on the tip of a toothpick. Degrease the surfaces before painting; light shading will bring out shapes that would otherwise be lost in the shadow of the cabin.

Who it is for

The set is for modelers who want something to show in the glazed nose of a bomber and do not mind working with small metal. The reward is a view into the nose where, instead of an empty shell, you see the crew stations fitted out. The kit, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.