I'd really like to get an early model B-17: what it lacked in effectiveness it made up for in lovely lines. For a plane this size 1/72 scale is okay - maybe even good. Academy has a B-17B out there on eBay - it was originally made by Mini-Craft. Italeri has a B-17 MkI which in theory should be a B-17C according to my sources. However, I've been told it's the same old Mini-Craft by one person. Owner of LHS says he remembers a Hasegawa early mark B-17, (Eduard makes a mask for it) so I suppose that could be it. Anyone know who made the Italeri MkI?

The only early B-17 kits in 1/72, were made by Academey/Minicraft. Bill Koster did make, and perhaps still does make, vac conversions in 1/48 for the Monogram B-17G

As mentioned, it's Academy. If you can find it, there was a Rareplanes vac kit of the granddaddy of them all, the Boeing 299.
Don't be put off by the Academy kit; it builds into a wonderful early B-17.

Thanks for the info. I can get an Italeri from Japan for a very decent price. If it's the same kit I'm guessing that Italeri would have better decals - I know they have six different schemes. Such a beautiful plane - pity about the war messing the thing up.

Beautiful, effective. Pick one.