EVEN BIGGER BOMBER - 1:32 SCALE B-17 FLYING FORTRESS FROM HK MODELS

SMN Report:

We make no apologies for featuring another World War II bomber from Hong Kong Models - this one adds two more engines, and a lot more size, to represent the famed Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. Manufactured to 1:32 scale, it’s a biggie all right.

Coming soon

The HK Models Boeing B-17 is not available yet, and the pictures here show the assembled prototype, not an on-sale model. But we expect the big beast, which will be available to complete in either ‘F’ or ‘G’ version, sometime soon. When assembled, the Hong Kong Models B-17 will have a wingspan of some 788 mm (31 in) and a length of 988 mm (38.9 in).

Legendary defences

The B-17's multi-gun capacity to repel fighter attacks, while flying on to inflict heavy damage to enemy targets was legendary, making its title ‘Flying Fortress’ a well-earned label. This Flying Fort cartoon was painted in 1944, by Lt Col Ross Greening, while a prisoner of war in Germany at Stalag Luft 1. The splendid drawing was published later in his book Not As Briefed.

Still in the planning stages

HK are really going for it with new and planned kits. There are two more B-25 Mitchells nearly ready, a B-25J ‘strafer’ version, and a B-25H ‘gunship’. Further down the line there’ll be a British Gloster Meteor, famed for being the first Allied jet to see operational service, and a speed record holder at various times, too. We’ll be expecting all sorts of interesting versions of this machine.

Avro Lancaster ahead

The Avro Lancaster is also in the planning stages. This British equivalent to the B-17 actually toted a far heavier warload, and became a household name for carrying out ‘Dambuster’ raids and ‘Grand Slam’ bombs. HK Models, we hope you’re listening - do make sure the fuselage sides of your Lanc are correct. Appearance to the contrary, the sides are not quite parallel vertically - they bulge very slightly toward the bottom. As planned, the HK Models Avro Lancaster will have a wingspan of some 972 mm (38.3 in).

NEW FUNCTIONALITY FOR SMN SLIDESHOWS

SMN Report:
Scale Model News is expanding again, with the addition of a neat slideshow feature.

It's simple to use - after you click on the 'Read more' button, the rest of the article appears on a new page column. Click on any of the pix in the column and you should get a zoom enlargement on screen. Click on that (or press the right arrow on your keyboard) and you will sequence through the show, pic by pic.

Test example
Well, that's the theory anyway, so here are a bunch of Flying Fortress pix to to test it with. The aircraft is that grand old stager from World War II, the Boeing B-17G, the 'G' model generally reckoned as the best of the Fortress line.

Feature-rich Revell B-17
The 1:48 scale kit is by Revell, and for anyone (like me) who has a thing for the Fort, then there are various features that make it an interesting kit to consider. First off is the decent bomb bay, complete with crisply moulded load. The tyres have the correct cross-pattern tread, while the engines cooling gills are set correctly open, suitable for ground running. The exhaust pipes have nice detailing, as do the wheel wells.

Unusual dome - not
Flaps are selectable up or down, and have ribbed structural detail. Turrets are all present and correct, each with enough internal detail to be reasonably convincing. Interestingly, this aircraft Little Miss Mischief has no clear dome ahead of the flight deck windshield. Unusual, but apparently correct, though if any reader knows why, please let us know.

Diorama possibilities
All in all, a handsome model, and one that would look good in a diorama with Hasegawa's 1:48 scale 'Follow Me' Jeep, which we'll have a look at later this week.

Trust the slide show works well for you. If so, have a wander through earlier posts to enjoy the slideshows now available.

Pictures courtesy Revell.