Which is the best B-17 available?

[Rubenandres77]

Hello friends.

I would like to know your opinions on the currently available paper B-17s in the market.

I know we currently have the following:

• printed 1:33 B-17G by FlyModel "Chow Hound" (old and reissued)
• printed 1:33 B-17G by Maly Modelarz "Nine-O-Nine"
• printed 1:33 B-17G by GMP "A bit o' Lace"
• digital 1:48 B-17G,F,E,C by John Dell (several liveries)

And there's also the smaller Fiddler's Green B-17, some freebies, and older printed kits.

I've seen building threads of the GPM Bit O'Lace, and John Dell's, but haven't seen threads of the others.

I haven't build any of them yet.

If any of you know more details about them, I'd like to ask the following:

• Which do you consider to be the most accurate in terms of overall shapes?

• Which is the most detailed one? But not in terms of painting (I know John Dell's fortresses are the most excellently painted -there's no doubt about it) but in terms of parts included for interior accessories, exterior details etc.

• Are there any other kits of the Flying Fortress available worth mentioning, whether paid or free, that build into a decent model between 1:50 - 1:33?

Thanks a lot for your advice!

[Tim Crowe]

Couple of threads for the Maly version:

WWW.KONRADUS.COM - FORUM MODELARZY KARTONOWYCH - [R/G] Boeing B-17G MM 1-2-3/2012 skala 1:33

WWW.KONRADUS.COM - FORUM MODELARZY KARTONOWYCH - Odp: [R] B17 na bazie Malego Modelarza 2012

Tim

[Don Boose]

John Dell's B-17s are incomparable for accuracy of research, precision of fit, inclusion of detail, and quality of art work. The only shortcomings are the lack of detail in the engines and the flat wheels. The engines are mostly hidden, and any model builder experienced enough to build the model can modify the wheels.

I defer to others on the best of the pre-printed B-17s.

Don

[Burning Beard]

I think it depends on what you are looking for in the model. I have built John Dell's Boeing 299 (prototype of the B17) and the fit of the parts were excellent. I modified that one to have 3d engines. I have since purchased two of John's B17s (a C and a G) they have superb textures and detailed bomb bays with lots with other added features for dioramas. He has also given you the size to print the model for other common scales (a nice touch). They do not however have interiors.

Beard

[Richschindler]

I'm going to have to get on the bandwagon and go along with the others, the John Dell kits are the best in my opinion.

[smithdr]

Dell! Of course, I haven't built any others so I'm a bit suspect. But...my only "complaints" are flat wheels, engines and there are no cockpit interiors/windows. As Don said, the modeler can fix any of those "flaws" if they like.

The ease of building, accuracy and very pretty textures (not cartoon-like or simple ink drawing) make them a winner in my book.

Bandwagon Jumped Upon

Dan

[Don Boose]

I forgot about the lack of interiors, but I would not be surprised if John, having already worked out the details of the bomb bays, does not one day provide them as an optional item.

Don

[Swampfox]

Excellent fit and amazing Graphics, enlargable!!

John Dell is who you want, no Doubt....


Swampfox

[smithdr]

Swamp...I just ordered "Dragon and His Tail", "Tinker Toy" and "Boiler Maker II".

Haven't told my wife, yet...

Love these kits.

Dan

[dako]

The Fiddlers Green B17 printed in the larger size is side by side the same as my Monogram 1/48 scale plastic model. Without getting the feeler gauges out you can't tell the difference in size. The tail wheel is the only wheel that is flat so its only a matter of cutting another wheel side and wrapping a tread around them to make a 3D wheel. Looks like you will have a B 17 production line going there Dan.
Daryl