1/700 Boeing B-17C/D Heavy Bomber - (x2) 3D Printed - Pearl Harbor, Philippines!

Description

NO RESERVE. We're offering here a beautifully detailed set of two 1/700 scale Boeing B-17C/D models that have just come out of the 3D printer! When the Second World War commenced in Europe in 1939, the Army Air Corps possessed just twenty-three early model B-17s although orders for the newer B-17C and D models were already in place. The pace of production picked up in 1940 with fifty-three B-17C and D models delivered and, in the spring of 1941, twenty B-17Cs were allocated to the RAF under Lend-Lease which dubbed them Fortress Is. Thought by many to be the most beautiful of the B-17 variants, the defensive armament of these early models was patently inadequate for combat against modern fighters. Still, between 8 July to September 1941, the RAF Fortress Is flew some twenty-two bombing raids on targets like Wilhelmshaven, Bremen, Kiel, Emden, Oslo and Rotterdam before European operations were abandoned. Four Fortress Is were sent to the Middle East where they made night attacks on Benghazi and Tobruk through May 1942 with the few remaining machines being transferred to RAF Coastal Command where they operated in the maritime reconnaissance role with No 206 and 220 squadrons. In the meantime, the Army Air Corps had converted its B-17Cs to B-17D standards which included the installation of self-sealing fuel tanks, electrical system improvements
and more extensive armor. Thirty-five of these upgraded B-17D models were sent to Clark and Del Monte Fields in the Philippines in May 1941. Sadly more than half of this force was destroyed on the ground in the initial Japanese attacks there on 8 December 1941. Interestingly, a force of twelve unarmed B-17Ds and Es on their way from California to the Philippines, arrived in Hawaii as Pearl Harbor was being attacked. The only B-17D in existence, the 'Swoose Goose', is currently under restoration at the National Museum of the US Air Force.This is the only model of the B-17C/D variant ever produced.
Models of the late variant B-17G have previously been offered in 1/700 scale by WEM (resin) and by Pit-Road (injection molded) but t
his is the only model of the early B-17C/D variant ever produced in that scale. We believe that the 3D printed models offered here compare very favorably with the WEM and Pit-Road models but we've posted high resolution photos so you can judge for yourself. While photography of these little gems is a challenge for our equipment and limited skills, check out the well proportioned model including the fuselage with detailed cockpit, nose blister, dorsal rear gun position, ventral gun bath and the tear-drop waist gun windows; that distinctive early tail assembly; the wings with well defined engine cowls and retracted landing gear.
While the surfaces are not perfectly smooth (3D printing is done in layers), the plastic used can be sanded and painted much the same way you would handle resin or styrene. The models may still have some powder and oil-like agent on them that needs to be removed by washing in warm water with a drop of detergent in it. While the landing gear is represented in the retracted in-flight position, it should be fairly straight forward to add photo etch parts for a "gear down" rendition, perfect for an air base diorama.
These outstanding B-17C/D models should be a welcome addition to any wargamer's or 1/700 modeler's collection, particularly those interested in early USAAC and RAF bombing operations . Please take a look at the other 1/700 scale aircraft models that we have on auction as well. We're always happy to combine shipping for multiple purchases to save whenever possible. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions whatsoever.