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Bill Koppos
119 articles

Pacific Fortress-a Big 'un...

August 14, 2013 · in Aviation · · 15 · 2.2K

Done about 4 years ago, was this Fort. This represents a Boeing B-17F that flew in that other theatre, the Pacific. It survived 101 or so missions including skip-bombing and strafing, to be returned home to be put out to a training pasture. Man, is this kit OLD. The fit of the big parts just ain't great, needing lots of sanding equipment. But in the end it turned out to look right. I detailed the cockpit and gunner stations some, Zotz decals were used out of a large set they sell. Pics aren't so great as it swamped my photo area.Also included is a bonus shot of me in the custom painting area and the conditions it was painted in with my trusty Paasche H. (yes it's a staged pic).

Reader reactions:
9  Awesome

13 additional images. Click to enlarge.


15 responses

  1. Looks pretty good from here, Bill...I still got my old build hangin' from the ceilin' out in my "model room". Must have a quarter inch of dust on it by now - 🙁 I like the stepladder bit.

  2. did you make that little figurine or did you find it online, I'd love to know where you got it!

    • He is from an Eduard "USAAF Personnel" set. Has an Airacobra on the box. It's kind of a generic set, but that is suitable for cutting and modifying, as I did with these guy's arms. Just cut, reglue, a little filler. The ladder is in there, too.

  3. Bill, Beautiful work and finish on that old kit. I built all of the 2 and 4 engine bombers Monogram put out as a kid and had them all hanging from the ceiling in my room-Great memories indeed!

  4. That's a beauty, Bill, way to gut it out- the open pilot's window is a nice touch that adds alot of interest. Gotta love all those missoin markings and girly art too!

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    said on August 15, 2013

    Superb Bill - love the Fort!

  6. totally awesome

  7. Very nice. I have one I did as a pb-1w, and two more to be built...
    Great f conversion of the monogram g.

  8. Thanks all, glad you liked the big bird!

  9. Well, Bill, this looks just great, especially like the guy doing the paint job!

  10. Bill,
    Very nice job. You have done a great job on this very old, tired, but the only game in town kit. I wish that someone would do a 1/48 B-17 up to todays standards. This is a beauty.

  11. WOW, what a beauty! I'm currently working on 909 and her sister ship Outhouse Mouse. Inspiration to get them finished!

  12. Nice. No other choice for a B17 at this scale if you can find one! Unless you go HKM 1/32 scale. It looks pretty good. Interior a tough one as it's one of the worst planes for being able to see interior detail.

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