Matchbox 1/72 B-17G (Bomber Command GB)
Matchbox first released this kit in 1979. This is a very basic kit with the typical little details that goes with many of the Matchbox kits. This kit does offer two different tail gunner types that were used on the B-17G and it comes with markings for three different B-17s, one from the ETO theater and two from the Mediterranean theater.
The silver/aluminum paint came from a rattle can of Testor's chrome silver, I did not follow the kit's paint instructions because it did not match the actual photos of the aircraft. The actual aircraft did not have its wing tips and tail planes painted red and the cowlings were not white.
I used pencils and water colour markers to lightly make the different shades on the panels, exhaust systems and heat discoloration on the engine nacelles and cowl flaps. Near the end of the build, flat clear coats were applied to seal the final engine/nacelles dirtying first with water color markers done earlier. Then again after shaved dry pastels were brushed onto the surface.
I used the decals that came with the kit, the set for "Hikin for Home" was used. When it was time to apply the decals I had to use Microscale's Decal Film to protect them. I also used clear Elmer's glue to hold the decal into place and also minimized the silvering. Using Elmer's glue really did a great job.
I usually enjoy my builds but this one as time went on it became tough to enjoy. I've built Vacuform kits, kit bashed kits together, scratch built many different parts and larger sections. This is one kit I should have not taken too seriously. Anyway I am happy to add this to my collection of Matchbox builds and happy on how this turned out.
If you want to read the work in progress of this build, click on the link below and thank you:
https://imodeler.com/groups/bomber-command/forum/topic/matchbox-1-72-b-17g/?topic_page=1&num=15
Great build & finish, Bob, on this aging kit. We could get a bag-full of Matchbox kits for $20 in the 1970s.
Thank you Bob @bails. Yes I remember the 70's, I used to work in a Hobby shop in 1977.
Bob @v1pro , you did a fantastic job building this classic old kit ! It looks wonderful. I like the nose art, I’ve never seen that one before. Too bad it was scrapped after the war.
Thank you Jay @ssgt! I like the way this plane looked with its nose art and the Red tail. I agree, too bad it was scrapped after the war. This plane had 2 landing crashes and survived the war!
Amazing work, Bob (@v1pro), and it was a real pleasure to follow along on the build. It takes a lot of skill to pull something like this together.
Thank you George @gblair for following my build and the good support, I needed it! You know how I felt about this build but I am already starting to enjoy it. Here's a group shot I took earlier today of my B-17 with my other USAAF bombers.
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
Lovely bomber group ! (@v1pro)
Well done! You produced a fine result with that old kit.
Thank you very much Chas @chasbunch.
Congratulations Bob! An excellent result from the beloved but old and simplistic Matchbox kit!
Thank you Spiros @fiveten. Spiros I'll be honest with you, this is one kit I will never want to build again. Even though I am a big fan of the Matchbox kits, this is not a good kit. But at least I am very happy to have it done and displayed with my other builds.
Absolutely amazing, Bob @v1pro
You definitely got the best out of this oldie and doesn't look simplistic at all this way.
It was a pleasure to see you working on this one.
Thank you very much John @johnb. 👍 I am happy to see this build done! 😊
Bob, this is a SPECTACULAR model. You are a true master of the modeler's craft. You manage to get the most out of these old models and prove that a new tune can indeed be played on an old fiddle. Well done!
Thank you Morne @mornem! I am glad this build is done and happy to see it displayed with my other builds. 😊
Bob @v1pro, this one fantastic looking Fortress! Love the paintjob!
Thank you very much Felix @fxrob! I always like how B-17s look in the silver/aluminum scheme, I tried not to go too heavy with the weathering.
Great job on a tough kit, Bob @v1pro! 👍 That is one handsome Fortress! 🤩
Thank you Gary @garybrantley, she's a keeper!
With that paint job it's very easy to overlook the kits falls. Nice result!
Thank you Chris @champagnecrc!
Great looking Fort, Bob @v1pro. The choice of nose art is fantastic.
Thank you Eric @eb801!
Nicely done Bob, nose art looks good.
Allan @kalamazoo, thank you!
Just a superb build on and old classic. Great work salvaging old decals too.
Thank you Bob @bobd56az! Most of my builds are the older kits from the late 50's to early 90's, about half of them have decals that were unusable so for this build I am pretty happy with how the decals worked out.
Great result, Bob!
Thank you John @j-healy!
A real beauty, Bob. Well done!
Thank you Gary @gwskat, she's a keeper!
That looks awesome to come from that old kit! Well done.
Greg @gkittinger, thank you! 🙂
I always wondered what this kit looked like built. You did a great job on her.
Thank you Robert @roofrat. Mine is the first time I ever got to see this as a completed kit in real life! A not so great kit but I am pretty happy with the end results and happy to see it with my other Matchbox builds.