Revell B-17G Flying Fortress 1:48 #85-5600 Review

Are you looking for a fun and challenging project to flex your model-building skills? Look no further than the Revell B-17G Flying Fortress 1:48 Scale kit! With 148 pieces, this impressive kit is perfect for scale modellers seeking a challenge. So get ready to unleash your inner hobbyist with this incredible kit!

This B17 model kit features a fully detailed interior with rotating gunner stations, landing gear, and a five-member crew. You’ll have everything you need to create a stunning replica, including a colorful decal sheet, instructions, and tips on building dioramas. The decals are correct and nicely colored. Also, the cockpit and the bombardier station parts look pretty good too.

Although some of the sub-assemblies inside the fuselage are not easily visible or entirely concealed once the model is assembled, those who prioritize the accuracy and authenticity of the model may not find this to be a significant issue. The bombardier’s station in the nose is quite visible, and the cockpit and pilots’ deck can be seen relatively well. However, for those who want to showcase the bomb bay, it may take some creative modifications to make it visible.

Overall, this model is huge and will take up a lot of shelf space. It’s a great display piece that is highly detailed and fairly accurate for the scale. However, it will take a lot of time and work to make it so, as it is not a toy to play with. It’s for display purposes only, but the moving parts, such as the ailerons, elevator, and rudder, make it more dynamic.

While this may not be the easiest kit to get started on, with some experience, you’ll be able to make a beautiful model even without many aftermarket parts. The pieces fit together quite well overall, and you’ll need to use liquid cement and some clear glue for the clear parts. The decals settle down pretty well, but you might want to use some of the decal setting solutions to conform to rivets and panel lines.

Top Coolest Features:

• Detailed interior: This model kit comes with a super-detailed interior that is pretty accurate for the scale. While most of it is not visible once the model is assembled, it offers an excellent opportunity for creative battle damage to showcase some of the intricate detailing.
• High Detail Mold – Despite being an older kit, the molds are still in good shape and provide a high level of detail.
• Highly detailed instructions: The kit’s instructions provide great detail on which optional parts to use, what paint colors to use on various components, and the proper selection and placement of decals. The pictographic and schematic assembly instructions are easy to follow, and notes about symbols and codes are provided to ensure proper assembly.
• Moving parts: This model kit features several moving parts, including gun turrets that rotate and propellers that spin, making it an interactive display piece.
• Size: At 1/48 scale, this kit is huge, taking up a lot of shelf space. This makes it an impressive sight in any collection, but it also requires a lot of time and work to make it display-ready.
• Good fit and finish: The parts of the kit fit together quite well overall, requiring very little putty to fill in gaps. The final finish is worth the effort, making it a great addition to any modeler’s collection.

Top Reasons You’ll Simply Love the Revell B-17G Flying Fortress 1:48

• Attractive price: Despite its size and level of detail, this model is offered at an attractive price, making it accessible to both experienced and novice builders. It’s a great value for those who want a high-quality replica of the B-17 Flying Fortress.
• Customization options: The kit provides a lot of customization options, including two possible B-17s with different optional parts and colors. This allows you to add your own personal touch and make the model uniquely yours. You can also experiment with different painting techniques or weathering effects to achieve a more realistic look.
• Authentic replica of an actual WWII plane: If your goal is to make a replica of an actual plane that saw WWII service, then the Revell B-17G Flying Fortress 1:48 is the perfect model kit. The instructions provide detailed information on which optional parts to use, what paint colors to use on various components, the proper selection and placement of decals.
• Inspires creativity: The “Revell B-17G Flying Fortress 1:48 Scale” model aircraft kit offers plenty of opportunities for customization and creativity. Assembling and painting the model can be a great way to exercise your creative skills and imagination as you experiment with different paint colors, weathering techniques, and other finishing touches.
• Perfect for display: This model kit is massive, and at 1/48 scale, it will take up a lot of shelf space. It’s not a toy to play with, but rather for display, making it a great addition to any collection. With the level of detail and authenticity of the replica, the finished model will be an impressive sight to behold.

Important Things to Know Before Buying the Revell B17G Flying Fortress 1:48

• Skill Level: As indicated by the manufacturer, this model kit is recommended for advanced builders, which means that it may not be suitable for beginners or novices. So, it is vital to assess your skill level to determine if you can assemble the kit before purchasing.
• Size: It is important to note that this model is quite large, measuring 26 inches wide. Therefore, you need to ensure that you have enough space to accommodate the finished model. Additionally, its size may also impact the cost of shipping, so you may need to factor this into your purchasing decision.
• Time and Effort: Building and finishing this model will require significant time and effort. It is not a quick and easy project, and you will need to invest time and energy to achieve a high-quality result. Therefore, it is important to assess your own level of commitment and patience before purchasing.
• Parts Visibility: Although the kit includes a detailed interior, some of the sub-assemblies inside the fuselage cannot be seen once the model is fully assembled. This may be a drawback for some hobbyists who want to showcase the interior details. Consider whether this aspect will affect your enjoyment of the finished model.
• Fragility of Parts: Some of the smaller parts of the model, such as guns, turrets, and wheels, are fragile even in this scale. It may be prone to breakage if you plan to handle or move the model frequently. Therefore, you may need to take extra precautions to protect the fragile parts or consider purchasing a protective display case.

Our Experience with the Revell B17G Flying Fortress 1:48

Overall, we had a great time with this kit. It’s an excellent replica of the rugged and dependable B-17 bomber that brought many crews home safely during WWII. The kit has some impressive features, including a fully detailed interior with all gun positions, a bomb cart assembly with bombs, rotating gunner stations, and even five flight and crew figures.

The kit was easy to assemble, and the parts fit together quite well with little need for putty. The instructions were clear and provided great detail on the necessary info for two possible B-17s regarding which optional parts to use, placement of decals, what paint colors to use on various components, and the proper selection.

One thing to note is that some of the sub-assemblies inside the fuselage cannot be seen once the model is assembled. For those who want to see the intricate details, we recommend being creative with some battle damage or using a Dremel tool to cut away the bomb bay doors from the fuselage and fabricating new ones to glue into place in the open position.

So, we highly recommend this kit for experienced model builders who want a highly detailed replica of the B-17 bomber to display in their collection. It’s not a toy to play with but rather a model to be painted, built, and finished for display. It’s a great choice for those who have built models before and are looking for a challenging yet rewarding project.

In conclusion, if you’re looking for a high-quality model of the B-17 bomber, we suggest you go ahead and purchase this kit. We are confident that you will have a great time building it and will be proud to display it once completed. So what are you waiting for? Get your hands on this kit and start building your own piece of history!

Revell B17G Flying Fortress 1:48 #85-5600 Specifications

• Skill Level: 4
• Scale: 1/48
• Wingspan: 26
• Length: 19.2″
• Parts: 148

Final Thoughts

Although the kit may not be suitable for beginners due to its level of complexity, it provides a great challenge for experienced builders who enjoy putting in the time and effort to create an impressive model. Overall, the Revell B-17G Flying Fortress 1:48 Scale is an ideal choice for advanced model builders who are looking for a highly detailed and accurate replica of the iconic B-17 bomber.

In conclusion, if you are an experienced model builder looking for a challenging and highly detailed kit, the Revell B-17G Flying Fortress 1:48 Scale is an excellent choice. With its impressive attention to detail, accurate design, and easy-to-follow instructions, this model will be a fantastic addition to your collection. So if you’re up for a challenge and looking to add an iconic piece of history to your collection, we highly recommend this Revell B-17G Flying Fortress mode kit. Purchase this kit today and start building your own B-17 Flying Fortress!

Additional Resources

• Airfix B-17 Review: 1/72 B-17G Flying Fortress Model Kit
• What Makes a Model Airplane Kit a Good Model Airplane Kit?