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World War II
Discuss WWII and the era directly before and after the war from 1935-1949.
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B-17 Academy or Hasegawa?
SgtRam
Staff MemberEditor-at-Large
AEROSCALE
#197
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Ontario, Canada
Joined: March 06, 2011
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Posted: Saturday, July 27, 2013 - 06:46 AM UTC
In the 1/72 scale, who makes the better B-17 model? Academy or Hasegawa? Do they both come with engraved panel lines? detailed? wheel wells? detailed cocpits? optional open bomb bay doors with interior detailing?

Thanks
Kevin
warmonger
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Oklahoma, United States
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Posted: Saturday, July 27, 2013 - 07:28 AM UTC
I've heard the Revell kit is the best in 1/72 scale.
Jessie_C
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British Columbia, Canada
Joined: September 03, 2009
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Posted: Saturday, July 27, 2013 - 07:28 AM UTC

Quoted Text

In the 1/72 scale, who makes the better B-17 model? Academy or Hasegawa? Do they both come with engraved panel lines? detailed? wheel wells? detailed cocpits? optional open bomb bay doors with interior detailing?

Thanks
Kevin


Revell Germany
But among your choices, the Academy kit is about 10 years newer than the Hasegawa. The Hasegawa kit was miles ahead of the Airfix and Revell kits of the day when it was issued, but it hasn't stood the test of time very well. Here's a review of the Hasegawa kit, and here's one of the Academy.

If you get the Academy kit, you'll probably want some aftermarket decals.
SgtRam
Staff MemberEditor-at-Large
AEROSCALE
#197
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Ontario, Canada
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Posted: Saturday, July 27, 2013 - 07:36 AM UTC

Quoted Text

I've heard the Revell kit is the best in 1/72 scale.


Which Revell kit? I have seen a few, but they all seem to have raised panel lines, and seem to be much older?

GastonMarty
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Quebec, Canada
Joined: April 19, 2008
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Posted: Saturday, July 27, 2013 - 08:44 AM UTC

The Revell is a new release riddled with serious problems: Shallow fuselage, resulting in a pointy nose, too deep engraving, too tall turret, worse of all all the nose detail, particularly the nose windows, is largely fictional in appearance and proportions.

I don't know how the other kits are, but a lot of kitbashing is likely needed to get a good result out of the lot.

Gaston
Jessie_C
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British Columbia, Canada
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Posted: Saturday, July 27, 2013 - 08:45 AM UTC
The newish one from Revell of Germany. It's not without its flaws, but once built is looks pretty good. If you want a Cheyenne tail turret you'll need the Academy kit though.
jowady
Joined: June 12, 2006
KitMaker: 1,027 posts
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Posted: Saturday, July 27, 2013 - 01:15 PM UTC
A major problem with with the Academy is the interior. At the very least you need new seats as the seats provided look more like airliner seats, this is especially apparent in the nose section, particularly for the bombardier.
SgtRam
Staff MemberEditor-at-Large
AEROSCALE
#197
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Ontario, Canada
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Posted: Saturday, July 27, 2013 - 02:42 PM UTC
It is looking like I will be going with the Academy as I want to do the F version. So I guess I will need some aftermarket parts.
jowady
Joined: June 12, 2006
KitMaker: 1,027 posts
AeroScale: 131 posts
Posted: Saturday, July 27, 2013 - 05:44 PM UTC

Quoted Text

It is looking like I will be going with the Academy as I want to do the F version. So I guess I will need some aftermarket parts.


Bear in mind that the Academy is a late "F". Even though they sell it as the Memphis Belle", it needs major modifications to the nose to make the Belle, or indeed any early "F".
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