HK Models 1/32 B-17F Memphis Belle Kit Review.
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- Опубликовано: 2 окт 2024
- Found this at Hannants for the bargain price of £273 with free shipping so I bought it. Get yours here.. www.hannants.c...
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The Famous 'Memphis Belle' was not actually the first B17 to complete 25 Missions. 'Knock Out Dropper ' was, completing her 25 missions either hours before or a day before the 'Belle' (Cannot recall which...) And yes, there are 2 differing nose glazings. The one with a cutout mounted a .50 cal in the cutout and deleted one of the .30 cals. The other nose (Earlier production series) has 2x .30 cal MGs mounted in the glazing. (A weakness the Germans soon exploited by making head on attacks...) The later F models adapted a metal frame mounting (in the cutout) for the .50 cal and the final F series had the Chin turret. (Early G series and the last F series looked almost identical, and the serial is the tell. I have both this boxing and the first release which also had an E model Fortress (Chief Seattle... of the Pacific North West). I want to make an RAF Coastal Command Fortress IIa (B-17E) based in Iceland
BTW, research the 'Memphic Belle' Markings carefully. All those kill markings and names around the gun poistions were added to her AFTER she returned to the US on a War Bond tour, as was the Hub cover markings on the wheels. (Which were either Blue and White or Red and White - Sources differ). Either way, it is a Lovely F model Fortress.
I assume the nose shown on the box art has the frames for the pair of .50cals in the nose? It was your name I was trying to think of in this review Brett. Always full of info on any given subject.. Thank you!!
Thanks Brett. I recently ordered the HK B-17F in 48th scale . I want to do the Belle at some point in its life, like around its 15 mission or so, and your comment on the names and kill markings helps greatly. I kinda suspected that they were added later. Cheers.
I think it was Hell's Angels not Knockout Dropper. Belle was given the nod because the army didn't want the nose art optics... also there may have been some question as to the crew's credit vs. the airplane's credit as a lot of mixing and matching went on.
I thought Hells Angels was the first B17 to complete 25 missions.
@@rileyk99 yes your right it was hells angels that did it first
Hello, Nigel. I hope you and yours all are well.
Oh, this jolly reveal offers us so much here to see! Such an extraordinary series of vignettes on camera recalling what had embodied amongst the most horrific and grisly fighting in the history of interpersonal combat!
I very much would love to build this Memphis Belle kit airborne in a cloudless, azure sky, the aircraft’s propellers spinning, its undercarriage retracted (I do not recall any landing gear bay doors to close), its engine cowls shut, its bomb bay doors gaping open, its crew figures manning their combat stations at they and their comrades in yet more Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress USAAF four-engine Heavy Bombers-hundreds of them!-steadily slow noticeably, looming round 8,000 metres (over 25,000 feet) over the cold, green heart of Nazi Germany’s industrial sector . . . .
At 19:29, we have our first look at the left and right wing halves, upper and lower (on the upper right of the viewscreen). I first must ask if Hong Kong Models as yet have corrected the position of the engine nacelles erroneously set in the airfoil with respect to the 9-degree dihedral? If not, how is one to effect rectification, toward accuracy? I certainly doubt my capacity for this level of scratch-building! Alchemy and sorcery is what all that is!
Even were an aftermarket firm to devise for us a set of replacement nacelles, 1) its cost would be prohibitive, 2) the transplant surgery to incorporate the replacements into each wing’s leading edge, somehow patch the cavities, re-scribe the surface texture, etc., would be far beyond my grasp. Frankly, such a large, modern, comprehensive kit costing almost 300 USD, plus tax (MSRP is 296.99 USD); £273 (pound sterling) as of this writing converts to 349.39 USD-had Hannant’s or the UK charge you that much in tax?) with errors this glaring is (or certainly ought to be) utterly unthinkable!
Another possibility would be a set of replacement wings (four large parts); the best way all round to effect this (resin would be prohibitively heavy; as for 3D printed parts, having only read of such items, I lack the wherewithal to factor what they might entail) would have to be injection-molded polystyrene. All who bought a kit (or someone had purchased it for another) of necessity would receive such a correction set.
And, for that matter, a set of corrected engine cowls.
Nigel, what else of this kit requires remediation? (including, frankly, the kits’ manufacturer, if you ask me!)
Wow 345 us dollars! That definitely is a lot for a model kit! But I will probably buy one anyway! LOL
Very cool. I grew up in Memphis Tn. and use to pass by the actual Memphis Belle when it was displayed outdoors at the Memphis National Guard Armory. I'm glad it is being preserved now inside at the National Air Force Museum in Dayton Ohio.
Nigel, awesome review!! I believe the “41” In aircraft serial number may have been related to the U.S. Government’s fiscal year that the money to purchase said aircraft was appropriated from.
Thank you. I have been lead to believe it's the year the contract was signed? So, for example a plane carrying "41" could be built in "43"?? However, at this period of the war I assume the order and build dates would be pretty close? It would be interesting to see the actual date the last B-52 rolled off the line as I think she carries the prefix "61"?
Forget the Lancaster and the B-17 for complexity. The B-24 Liberator puts them all to shame. Basically there was almost no two airframes built that matched the one ahead OR the One behind it on the Assembly line (Exaggerated a bit, but close to true!!) There is a large reference book called "B-24 - The Consolidated Mess" which tries to cover all the types, sub-types and one offs of 5 years of production ....
So I guess Hobby Boss made a good job then, because that kit is a bit of a mess too!! lol
Four hundred pounds now. A bit too steep for me.
When you mention fabric padding, what should I use to put that in? I have this model and will be doing a cutaway version. I have the PE extras, just stuck on the fabric padding.
Epoxy putty, foil, filler???
Greetings from Russia!
David R Lentz, Columbus, Ohio, USA (Sunday, 29 September, 2024)
Thank you so much for these video reports, Nigel. I enjoy a good look at this kit (as well as its siblings), and others similar. I have lost quite a bit of weight (that is a long story!), and for a few hours these presentations bring me out of my concerns for my well-being.
At 8:56, you mention that some (a few?) late B-17Fs had the chin turret. I understand that these were field modifications from kits (full-size) that Boeing or a USAAF supply depot had sent). A couple of decades past, I had read that the ground crews servicing the bombers had fashioned plywood fairings, sanded smooth to be as ærodynamic as they could manage; these were visually distinguishable in shape from the sheet metal the factory made.
I again must ask whether Hong Kong Models as yet have devised any sort of correction (or substitution) regarding the erroneous position of the engine nacelles set in the airfoil’s leading edge to offset the 9-degree dihedral? This level of scratch-building corrections would be well beyond my skills!
AFAIK there have been no corrections as yet?
@@NigelsModellingBench thanks, Nigel.
I just bought this kit in Australia and all the extra G parts have been removed from the sprues in the factory. You can only build and F version now. I would advise everyone to check the box before you buy.
Sorry to hear that Max. It would appear that you have bought an old stock kit as this something HKM have stopped doing.
I spoke with Neil at HK and he said they remove the additional parts.@@NigelsModellingBench
Well, that's strange because Neil has stopped making this and the E/F AFAIK so maybe the last few went out with all the parts included? I had noticed that the original release reviews from back in the day had the parts removed.
@@NigelsModellingBench , well, that is good news!
Hi Nigel Out of the hobby for years, is anyone making a 1/32 kit of the B-29 ?? Thank you James
Only a vac formed kit. i have asked HKM to do one, but I wouldn't hold much hope??
Awesome great work hats off man
I'm building the 1/72 old Academy Memphis Belle, doing lots of scrap interior stuff.....for the kicks...finally not to be seen when the fuselage halves are glued together......this 1/32 scale you are showing today is massive impressive so yes great ideas for my project indeed so txs man cool
Sounds great!
Great review Nigel, 90% of my kits are based on your reviews I wouldn’t buy a kit till I see a review and unboxing and surprisingly the kits I love you have ‘made reviews on 😊
41- would have been the fiscal year the contract was let and the rest is the sequence number in that contract.
Belle rolled off the line in July of 1942.
Thanks Riley.
Great review Nigel, and a fantastic model - I'm sorely tempted to get this while it has a third off and stash until my skills improve and I'm brave enough to tackle it! Enjoy all your videos - Cheers Reggie
oh, buy a few dozen! You'll have time!
You’re on fire these days! A review machine!
I do try.
An absolutely spot on review nigel and as I’ve built this kit and haven’t used the wall mount as I don’t trust it.the kit itself is actually surprisingly easy to build for a big bird and glad I’ve built her ❤❤❤❤❤ onto the next review then bud
Nigel,
Thanks for the great reviews of this line f B-17’s! Much appreciated. So besides the difference between the E/F and just the F model, is there a “better” or more updated version between these two HK B-17 kits? Thanks again.
Paul Moore
Cumming, GA
This looks like a beautiful kit that will build up into a fantastic model of the iconic aircraft. Great Review mate and great T-Shirt 😉
It really is!.. the T shirt is pretty good too...
My bad I meant the B17 F
Hi Nigel, another great review, cost wise too expensive and too large good luck when you doo get around to building this kit but where are you going tl display it?☺ best regards from a Kiwi living in Australia
Props shoulda been all the same Hamilton Standard
Hi Nigel - I just received the 1/48 B17F (01F002), and I think close to the last in OZ. The kit does include the propeller blade decals. Lovely looking kit, and it may take precedence over the 1/48 PT Boat in build order. After the delightful Airfix Anson, for which I am about to button up the fuselage..
I have the 1/48 kit too and will be starting it here very soon, like in a few days.
Awesome kit,have loved the 'Fort' ever since I was a kid in the 70's & watched the old movie from the late 40's with Gregory Peck & the old TV show 12 o'clock high,HKM should do a 1/32 B-29 Superfortress me thinks?,now that would be a totally awesome kit with that greenhouse nose & all metal finish on those iconic aircraft,cheers
I agree.
Hi Nigel, Wow, This is quite a kit. Thanks for the review. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day. Jeff
Thanks for watching
I have seen these at shows. There big and build up nice.
If you're going to do the Belle, you could either go to town with the flak and fighter damage she received on her final mission or as she is now in pristine condition. A great kit of a great subject.
Hi Nigel will you be building that B17 G step by step on you tube?
Not in the near future I'm afraid.
Looks very nice with a lot of spares😊
Nigel,
Since your on such a run with these B-17’s and as a follow-up to my previous question, maybe you could do a review of this line of HK B-17’s. What’s the differences, similarities, what’s improved between the kits etc.
Thanks again.
Coming soon... and a Lancaster one too.
That’s very good to hear Nigel. Very much looking forward to it. And thanks again!
I feel your pain about out of print books nigel. Just tried to get the 2 valliant wings FW 190 books. Not a chance. Maybe if I want to spend £70 for a £18 book lol
This one wasn't so bad. I paid about £10 over the new price.
thats good mate. have to be quick these days. books seem to sell out quick.@@NigelsModellingBench
Would be cool side by side with a 1/32 scale Lancaster Diorama, Which model kit of Lancaster is your suggestion.
If you have deep pockets and modelling experience then get the Border model Lancaster, if not the HKM is a good substitute.
Have a great build.
👍
I just bought this kit last Friday... the 2018 version (HKM01E30), I should get it tomorrow. Looking forward to build it. This is also my first HK kit.... Do you have any recommendations or anything I should watch for Nigel? Like errors, faulty parts, fitting issues etc...
Search online and here on You Tube. It goes together well, but has lots of errors.
@@NigelsModellingBench I was afraid of that... but then again, it makes it more challenging. Thank you Sir!
Dear Nigel,
I hope you don’t encounter too many of the adenoidal types on this review! Brett, on the other hand, is a star!
Regards,
Z
Nigel: who does their decals for the B-17 series?
They are all Cartograph.
Im not going to spoil anything for you Nigel.
Just going to say read the January Info from Eduard editorial in its entirety. Pop a Beer 🍺
Cool!! Great news!! I'll see if I can get a review sample.
Hi Nigel,
Wow, another stunning review!
Just a couple of things to mention. I believe that Master Details does give free samples to modelers to review and use on their builds. Also, just wondering if you could ask HK about possibly making a buldged cheek gun nose for the B-17F? I think a lot of modlers would love that option, and are too scared to be cutting up a nose on a expensive kit.
Thank you for your hard work putting out these videos.
Cheers.
So I guess they would just have to add the G nose parts? Have you seen that Eduard have paired up with HKM and will be releasing updated 1/48 kits around August.
That will be awesome. I really want to get the 1/32 F model, but it is going to hard to explain to the wife spending over $400 for the kit and after market goodies.
I better get the 1/48 scale.
hey hey are you showing your build for this one? Keep my two eyes wide open see what comes
No sorry, just the Revell 1/72 and the HKM 1/48 kits.
Nigel where are you going to display all these massive models ? I have a tiny 1 bedroom unit absolutely zero room for my HK Lancaster & B-17G decided to hang mine from my ceiling 😂😂😂
I have a big house
Nigel+ you incorrectly pointed out turbo charges as supper chargers
Does anyone make these with Flak damage ? Because I’m wanting to with mine looking for a video walk through of creating Flak damage on the model 🔥
I just put how to create flak damage into google and the first three were exactly as you ask
Quick question, my workroom doesn’t have access to a window but I did have a strong ceiling bathroom fan vented outside installed, would that be ok for spraying?
I have never heard of an issue doing that Paul, but.. you must remember you are going to be pulling volatile fumes through it and the motor may well have exposed brushes and armature so could cause a fire or even explosion?
@@NigelsModellingBench Yipes….
@@NigelsModellingBench I assume spray booth fans are built differently? There is also the option of venting a spray booth in a 5 gallon drum, I’ve seen that on the internet.
I'm sure you could get a new ceiling fan with a protected motor?
@@NigelsModellingBenchmy feeling though is that I would probably pass out before I built up enough concentration for an explosion 😂
Is there any difference between the 1st issue and this one?
I reckon the resin gun belts? If you are referring to the very first HKM 1/32 B-17, yes, this is an F model, the first was a G model.
Hi, I was wondering the same thing. I have an F from about 3 years ago. Tons of extras and about half way through the build. Would this be largely the same? Thankyou.
Yes, I cant see that much will have changed other than maybe an additional option and an extra nose blister perhaps. I reckon those resin gun belts are new?
@@NigelsModellingBench referring to the E/F model issue 2016 #01E05
I believe the E gives you more parts for the nose area?