Academy B-17E in the Hawaiian Air Depot Scheme in 1/72 Scale
Here is another Flying Fortress in the Hawaiian Air Depot camouflage, this time serial 41-2437. This is one of two HAD scheme Fortresses seen in John Ford’s documentary film of the Battle of Midway. The U. S. national markings were modified by ALNAV97 on 06MAY42 which directed that the red centers of the insignia should be painted over in white and that the tail stripes be removed. In this case the rudder was painted over in black. If you look closely at photographs taken during this period many of the white stars show signs of overpainting.
The kit is the Academy E model Fortress. I didn’t spend a lot of time detailing the interior of this one as very little can be seen inside. I did replace the engines with Quickboost resin which look much better. I also enclosed the wheelwells and added some detail there. The big change which is needed is the kit comes with a ball turret in the belly, and the Fortresses which fought at Midway were all still equipped with the Sperry remote turret at the time (not the Bendix turret as most references erroneously state, which is different). For this model I used a Kora resin belly turret and scratchbuilt the sighting blister for it.
For those who want to see more references, color screen captures and photographs of 41-2437 are here: https://inchhighguy.wordpress.com/2018/12/02/hawaiian-air-depot-b-17e-flying-fortresses-part-iv/
The differences between the Sperry and Bendix belly turrets are described here: https://inchhighguy.wordpress.com/2018/11/18/the-b-17e-and-the-myth-of-the-bendix-ventral-turret/
16 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Chuck A. Villanueva said on July 17, 2019
Beautiful very rare scheme of the B-17E. This is the first time ever seeing it modelled by anyone. What I find interesting or caught my eye is the Neutral Gray wrap around. And nice research in regard to the ball turret. Excellent model. Love it. Thanks for sharing.
Robert Royes said on July 17, 2019
That’s one eye catching Fortress! I love the color scheme.
Pedro L. Rocha said on July 17, 2019
Uau, never saw such colourful scheme in any USAF plane before, let alone in a B-17! Very nice indeed, great job
Allan J Withers said on July 18, 2019
Another good looking B17 Jeff, a well done different scheme !!
bob mack said on July 18, 2019
very nice
Ian Foulkes said on July 18, 2019
I love the camouflage scheme, you’ve made a little gem there !!!!
Dirk Derks said on July 18, 2019
Hello Jeff,
First time I get a good explanation of the color schemes on these planes.
The model looks fantastic. Thanks for sharing all your knowledge with us.
Regards, Dirk / The Netherlands.
Greg Kittinger said on July 18, 2019
That’s got to be one of the most colorful camo schemes on a US WWII aircraft! Very nice.
Jeff Groves said on July 18, 2019
Thanks for the kind words guys! I got fixated on the HAD scheme B-17s, they make a nice alternative to the usual NMF or OD/NG camouflage.
Tom Cleaver said on July 18, 2019
Definitely encouragement for the H-K B-17E I have here.
David Hansen said on July 19, 2019
That is one cool looking model, Jeff.
I always liked the B-17E and F and their combat service in the Pacific seems to get overlooked a lot. The Hawaiian Air Depot B-17s at Midway represent a “Missing Link” in the history of one of the most iconic planes in history.