The B-17E was the first really combat capable version of the Fortress. It
included a revised tail section to improve stability, had upgraded engines,
self sealing fuel tanks and was the first to use a ball turret on the
underside of the aircraft. There were also a raft of other changes to both
the airframe and equipment. It first went to war in the Pacific operating
mostly in the southwest theaters of the Solomons and New Guinea.
It also operated out of bases in both England and North Africa where a few
additional deficiencies manifest themselves, resulting in additional
upgrades. Like most warplanes of the time, the aircraft was continually
improved based on experience and needs. A total of 512 were built between
September 1941 and May 1942. There are four E model B-17s extant in the US
with three of them under restoration and the fourth at a museum in
Louisiana.
Premium
Hobbies is a distributor out of New York that apparently reboxes Academy
kits. This boxing was released in 2024. The original tooling was
released in 1994 so it isn't exactly a new tool. However, the Academy
kit is still a very nice one and as far as I know, is the only E model
to have been released.
Looking as the sprue layout diagram, you can see that there are quite a
few parts that are not used. Interestingly, this trend also appears to
be true of the decal sheet. Overall external detailing is quite good.
Engraved panel lines and all that. The cockpit is nicely appointed with
the required seats, controls, and instrument panels. There is a
bombardier/navigator's position with seats, tables and a bomb sight.
Decals provide instruments and seat belts. The next subassembly is the
bomb bay witha full load of eight 500 lb bombs with decals for the
stenciling. Other small subassemblies are the upper and lower turrets.
All of the various fuselage windows are installed from within as are the
waist guns and the tail gear. With all those bits attached, the fuselage
halves can be joined together and set aside. Construction then moves to
the wings which are upper and lower halves. The main landing gear need
to be installed prior to joining the wing halves together. Next the
turbosuperchargers, main wheels and landing light lenses are attached.
I'd hold off on all those until after painting.
The kit has a separate tail gun position, undoubtedly to allow for the
different style in later variants. The engines are simply faces molded
onto a backing plate and these fit into the cowlings. If you want the
prop to spin, you'll need to install it prior to attaching the engines.
The
seventh of 8 steps has you attacing the tail planes, tail gun piece and
all the rest of the clear bits to the fuselage. Then the wings. Finally
the engines, bomb bay doors and the DF antenna are attached. There seems
to be no way to install the bay doors closed so you'll have to do some
work if you wish that option.
Instructions are nicely drawn and provide color references for several
paint brands. There are three markings options provided. The first two
have the very nice Hawaii Depot camouflage scheme as shown on the box
art. One is 'Miss Fit' from the 88th RS/7th BG in 1942 while the scond
in this scheme is 'Old Maid' of the 431st BS/11th BG also in 1942. For
those who don't like complex camo schemes, there is 'Tokyo Taxi' also
from the 431st BS/11th BG in 1942. The decal sheet looks very nice and
for some reason, there are red/white rudder stripes on the sheet. You
also won't be using the red dots. A full stencil guide is provided. Note
that the U.S.Army markings are on the first two options. Since these two
planes were repainted before they were sent overseas, I would expect
them to not have many, if any, stencils on the repainted areas. Note
also that all three options have black de-icer boots and you'll need to
paint those on.
As is often the case, this purchase was inspired by a book, in this case
it is one on the Solomons campaign that covers these plane's operations
during late 1942. There was an original Academy B-17E kit being offered
at a club sales event, but the seller refused to budge on the price
stating it was a rare kit. Well, not as rare as he thought as I quickly
found this one and ordered it. Well worth picking up if the price is
reasonable.
Premium
Hobbies is a distributor out of New York that apparently reboxes Academy
kits. This boxing was released in 2024. The original tooling was
released in 1994 so it isn't exactly a new tool. However, the Academy
kit is still a very nice one and as far as I know, is the only E model
to have been released.