Reviews : Revell-Monogram B-17G Flying Fortress Bomber Plane

I just finished this classic kit having started it back in February. This is the old Monogram kit that dates back into the 70s and that was the last time I had built one as well. The age of the kit shows in the surface detailing, raised panel lines as opposed to engraved being the biggest ' fault with the kit. There was a bit of flash on my kit but this was easily trimmed away and you will deal with ejector pin marks and the small tabs on the windows that help hold the clear pieces in place are visible on the completed model. The overall fit is pretty good for such an old kit and size. Extreme care must be taken to align all the interior sub assemblies in order to ensure that the fuselage halves go together properly. If you are going to build your kit with the bomb bay interior completed you will have to trim both the bomb racks and the wings locking tabs in order to get the wings to slide into place. Without the trimming it may very well be impossible to attach the wings properly. There is a large tab with two extensions on each wing that you insert into the fuselage and then slide forward into position. I ended up cutting away the leading protrusion on each wing in order to get the wings to slide into place.I personally do not like this method of wing attachment as I have had trouble with both this kit and the F model of the B-17 that used the same method. The landing gear is plenty strong enough to support the aircraft. Use extreme caution when cutting away the cockpit windshield from the sprue. It is moulded in a single piece and could easily be damaged due to its shape. There is a cross piece to trim away which helps. I would recommend the purchase of canopy masks as the curves of some of the glass would make it very difficult ( not impossible ) to mask off using masking tape. The instruction booklet is adequate but there were a couple of places where having reference material came in handy to obtain proper placement of interior pieces. The interior is fairly detailed keeping in mind the vintage of these moulds. There are plenty of aftermarket products one could purchase to upgrade the interior but other than the bombardier's position nearly all the interior work one does disappears once the aircraft is closed up. Revell would be smart to look at changing the decal sheet. IIRC the markings that come in the box were the ones that were being used when I first built this kit back in the mid to late 70s. Fear not though as there are dozens of B-17 decal options available and the two supplied are fine, they have been around for a long time. I did build my model as ChowHound as I like the squadron colours and the Pluto figure. The bomb cart and bombs is a nice touch and while I have yet to assemble mine it makes good starting point for a diorama and will go good with the tow tractor that one can get in the 1:48 scale B-24J kit by Revell. Painting a model this large is made easier if one has an air brush. ChowHound flew many missions before being shot down so the air brush also allows for better weathering than one could achieve with brushes. I know I have pointed out a few negatives but do not let these dissuade you from purchasing this kit. With patience and a moderate bit of skill a very nice model can be achieved straight out of the box. At the purchase price which is quite reasonable for a kit this large, one may have some money left kicking around for after market products which would greatly enhance the overall finished product. As an out of the box build I would score this kit as a 7.5 out of ten and would recommend it to a moderately skilled modeller. A beginner may experience some difficulty and become frustrated. It is the only kit in this scale that I am aware of, of this classic American bomber I put somewhere in the area of 75 hours into the building of my kit. Jeff

I have built this kit about two or three times in the past and it’s absolutely one of my favorites. Without doing any after-market bashing, this kit is still a great addition to any modeler’s collection. As stated in other reviews the plastic is molded in dull aluminum, the instructions are pretty clear, although I chose to go in a different order a couple of times, and the overall fit is good. More experienced modelers will probably want to eliminate the gaps where the wings connect to the fuselage. Assembly went without a hitch but…be prepared for a tricky effort connecting the fuselage halves together with all the interior parts. I highly encourage dry-fitting two or three times as I had some small issues with the radio room which is also connected to the belly turret. I did not remember the locking tabs for the wings but this is a great feature for support the weight. My only other issue was putting the windows in. I have used regular glue but decided to try Elmer’s white glue to avoid any marring of the clear plastic. Well, Elmer’s did okay but didn’t secure one of the windows (one the left side of the fuselage near the front of the aircraft) and it came out after everything was put together. This was quite a problem to fix so…make sure the windows are secure. The decals are okay, but the selection HobbyLinc has will allow you to model many different G model aircraft used during the war. Even though you might not be able to see your work (I didn’t glue the windscreen or radio operators window in which allows me to show the detail and painting) the finished product is superb. I highly encourage you to build this kit, at almost any level of modeling skill, and you will be impressed. Have fun!!!

This is an older kit but still pretty good if you put in the effort to dress it up. I got that metallic look by actually cementing aluminum foils to the outer surface. It was really time consuming. The interior details are very good for a kit in this price range. The outer surface though leaves a lot to be desired. Generally, the B-17 skin is devoid of details. I hand pressed thousands of rivets to give a more realistic look. The leading edge of each wing has a glassed in compartment for lamps. There was nothing there so I scratch made landing lamps for each. The engine nacelles have lumps for air scoops and exhaust outlets. I drilled and scraped holes for each. The upper wings have air exit slops and I had to removed plastic to create slots. Consistent with old moldings, the guns were solid and I had to drill and bore each barrel. The dorsal gun turret didn't fit well enough to rotate and some modifications were needed. The overall fit was generally good except for the clear plastics windows and wind shield around the cockpit. In summary, a relatively simple kit that leaves a lot of room for adding flourishes.

This has got to be one of the best B-17 models made.The interior detail is out standing, and with the available after market parts, he possibilities are almost endless. I just started mine, it was a Christmas Gift from my daughter. I will be lowering the flaps on mine and opening the bomb bay doors. As the bomb bay is detailed but alas the doors are modeled shut. The decal sheet is of good quality, but a little bland, you think with all the famous B-17s the decal sheet could of been a little more colorful.I have noticed that since Revell models have begun coming out of China, detail has not decreased, but the plastic seems softer and I have experienced fit problems, that I have not previously had. I just finished an F-106 and I have built several before, and this one did not go together as well, it required quite a bit of filler and sanding, the parts just did not want to fit together right. It still turned out to be a nice model. I am looking forward to The B-17 build,I also have a B-29, and a B-25 waiting to be built, and will be buying the B-1B this payday. I still remain a fan of Revell models.

i built the revell 1/48 mitchell bomber to re-introduce myself to aircraft modelling, and loved it. that great experience led me to order this similar but larger bomber, and it also offered all the great details and quality parts i now remember from my earlier years of modelling. the bomb bay details would have been hidden by the molded shut doors, so i cut them open and installed them in the open position. i saw some aftermarket replacement parts available, but found that the kit's parts made for a nice display, and am quite happy with the results. parts fit on engine nacells was challenging, requiring some bodywork attention, but that's the stuff that i love. the fit was good enough that someone with less experience could still be proud of their efforts, even without bodywork. stretching your modelling skills keeps the interest high and makes me want that next kit all the more! i would recomend this kit to any level of modeller, confident they would be proud of the results, and admire the finished product as much as i do mine. terrific value.

A couple of years ago, when I could afford it I bought a few kits at once from here. I opened the B-17 kit first and was pretty disappointed at what I found; the detail wasn't up to snuff, and I didn't like how the kit layed out, so I put I aside and gave it a bad review, thinking the G kit looked better and thought of it for another day. So, a year or so later I pulled out the F and built it. it was a much better kit in assembly than I thought it would be; it fit together well and didn't need a whole tube of filler to finish off. Mea culpa for my review of the F Now for the G; I was very right about the detail between the two kits; the G model is one of the aircraft kits I have ever build. The detail I superb (it should have been, in that Monogram (this is Monograms kit, the F being Revell's going back to the Fifties. Monogram always had an edge on detail and fit (I go back to the Fifties), but I am really pleased with this build. The F isn't bad; the G is superior.

This was the first of (then) Monogram's series of 1/48 WW-II multi-engine bomber series. It is molded in a dull aluminum, which works as the late-war no paint color scheme, as well as black sprues which make for a nice contrast and makes an attractive and reasonably accurate color scheme right out of the box. The clear window parts complete the kit, and they are molded thin enough that they do not give a clunky feel when the interior is studied. It has a very detailed interior, so good that there is also a version of this kit with a clear half-fuselage to fully display the interior. The plane is big enough that you will want to paint the interior -- the cockpit, the bombadier's nose position, the waist gunners' positions, and the turrets are all big enough to justify a lot of attention to the interior. It is also a decent deal price-wise -- it costs about as much as a typical 1/35 tank (which I build far more frequently) and you get a lot more for your money.

This has always been my favorite plane and I've built several from different companies. This is actually my 3rd time building this specific model/brand/item and the usual issues occur like some pieces not fitting perfect but a little sanding and effort yields an amazing result. The instructions could be a little more clear on the exact positioning of the interior. I really wish you could see more of the interior, it seems like almost a waste to build any of it since it all pretty much gets covered up when you glue the halves together but it's still a blast to complete all the details....and the interior details are beautiful. My best recommendation is to get some aftermarket decals and do a different paint scheme than the 2 options it comes with. I'm doing this current build as the famous Nine-O-Nine with the red and green scheme.

I have always chosen this bomber as my favorite of all WWII aircraft. I have travelled to see actual ones flying and never miss an opportunity to see them in person. Last October 2016 I took a flight on one these beauties, the Collins Foundation Nine O Nine, a lifetime dream of mine. After finding Nine O Nine decals, bought this kit to remember my experience. It is the biggest one I have built, took my time and it came out gorgeous. Enjoyed this, did not encounter any problems. Did not spend much time on the interior since most will never be seen except for the nose, the cockpit, and parts of the waist. Great price for the size of this model and one should not be disappointed with the results. One better look at the instructions closely for the clear parts since some go before the halves are glued and some after.

This bomber is big. As with most big models this one is done very well with every detail painstakingly reproduced. From the bomb sight to the moveable ball turret, the details are amazing. In the bomber's compartment there is a table with wood grain details. There are bullets in belts around the ball turret. These little extra details may go unnoticed by some but the fact that they went through the trouble to include them says a lot about the manufacturer. As with most models there is good and bad, but in the case of this B-17 the bad isn't really that bad. The only complaint I have is with how the ball turret just barely hangs in its two prong housing. But other than that this kit is awesome and this bomber gets 5 stars for being the BOMB.

Very few kits get a 5 star from me but I have to in this case. The detail outside is good but the inside is even better. It was so good that Revell released a Visible version that had 1 side molded in clear. Good luck finding that kit anywhere! There are some gap issues but so what ...we're modelers!. After I completed 1 of these, All I could think about was cutting big holes on one side to show the interior or maybe using magnets to allow the removal of one side of the fuselage. This kit really has no limits. Its gorgeous out of the box or with aftermarket resin parts or photo etch from Eduard. This kit deserves attention, so its a long term build in my experience and opinion.

I would recommend this model. I am a kid and this took me about 2 to 3 hours with out any breaks. The guns are very fragile. It was definitely the biggest model I ever built. It was a vary complicated model. The decals won't come off so you need to soak them in hot water. You will need a big bowl. The decals are vary big. The inside is very complicated. I have very unsteady hand so I skipped panting the inside but i know it looks amazing. I am 12 years old and i say this model is worth the money. The only things you need is some good glue, a good knife and a vary good chair with good lumbar support. I really recommend this model. This is the best model i have ever had.

Way back in 1975 I was 14 when this kit came out. I got it for Christmas that year but dummy me ruined it before it was even finished. So over the years after that I must have built at least 25 to 30 kits of this. Each one I did was different but easy to build. Yes now you can add extra detail items to this kit to really bring this kit to life. I am planning real soon to go the extra task to add all these details in my next B-17G. By the time I did all this it would be just the cost of the 1/32 HK kit without the extra detail. I say go slow and enjoy this beautiful model of the famous Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress. It is really worth your time to build one.

I have built many of these, this specific kit... I am not too much of a fan for this one, have been looking for other B-17 kits, i have done many of this kit due to options and cost. This kit is a great starter kit, its easy and the parts are not too difficult to place, but i believe it is not very detailed. I find it to be a cheaply made product, its a bit brittle and can fall apart easily. Overall, this is a good starter model for someone new or just getting into building bigger planes. If you're a more experienced builder i suggest getting a more detailed, stronger, and challenging kit.

this kit comes with markings for 2 aircraft and has spars molded into the insides of the wings and fuselage so it can be built damaged. it also come with a diorama guide so that's pretty nice. it has complete compartments, bombardier, cockpit, radio and bomb bay even ammo boxes for the waist gunners. with all those sections you would think there would be fit issues. that's not the case. it goes together surprisingly well. its pretty big so I like to cut the Bombay doors out and build it bombing. it has a full Bombay, why hide it?

The B-17 does have a well detailed interior but with it being a big plane you have to tape it together to keep it from coming apart while gluing the fuselage halves together and the gaps need filled in but expected from a Revell model but no big deal take your time and the paint you can go to your local hardware store pick up either a can of chrome silver krylon or krylon flat olive camouflage spray paint whatever color you choose to paint it they work just as well as the hobby paints no problems .

Building the B-17 was a complete joy for me. It was one of my first models that I completed after really getting into the scale modeling hobby. The detail is great, and the construction is firm. I, personally, would love to built another one, to fix any mishaps in my first attempt, and/or to try another paint scheme. Off to a side note, Revel Monogram make the best scale models I have tried. They are within a reasonable price range, and are highly detailed, and are good models over all.

this aircraft by default is molded with the bomb bay doors closed. This means that all of the detail on the interior of the bomb-bay is hidden inside where you can't see it once the aircraft is completed. This means that the fire extinguishers, bombs/bomb racks etc are all sealed out of site unless you painstakingly cut the fuselage to expose the bomb bay. The kit itself fit together perfectly and looks great when painted with the polished aluminum paint availble here at HobbyLinc!

Built this kit in honor of my Dad who flew the B-17 in World War II as a First Lieutenant pilot. I used photos of his plane as a guide and letter it with the call letters of his plane. Very enjoyable to build and and great reminder of my Dad's service. I took my time building the kit and painted it using the paint scheme from the photos mentioned. I did to the interior but you can't see all the inside when done. Very good kit and enjoyable to do.

This was my first ever airplane kit, and its giant. I have it hanging in my room. It was a little bit of a hard build, but it still looks excellent. There is a nice interior, and a cool bomb cart that comes with it. The model does take a lot of paint to paint it up, but it looks nice afterward. The top and bottom ball turrets move, which is a cool addition. I would recommend this kit to anyone who is looking for a nice B-17.

The 1/48 scale B-17 model, particularly from HK Models, is highly regarded for its impressive detail and build quality. With 278 parts, it features finely recessed rivets, clear windows, and excellent decals. The assembly is user-friendly, with a tight fit that often requires no glue. Despite minor drawbacks like ejector-pin marks, the model's overall presentation makes it a standout choice for enthusiasts

I built the Monogram version of this kit when I was a kid and was surprised to find this kit has been updated with more details. I enjoyed this build with very few problems. Having said that I did have to do a little extra sanding to get the cockpit windscreen to fit and I had to clip off a few bits to build it in a wheels up pose. All in all, this is an excellent kit, well worth the money and time.

This is one of the many kits I built (and left behind) as a kid and have had the pleasure of rebuilding in retirement. Just throw it together and paint it and you would have an impressive model. However, taking the time to paint all the interior detail can yield a masterpiece. The kit decals are perfectly fine and the aftermarket decal selection is amazing. The crew would be a good addition.

The Revell kit of this aircraft is pretty much the 'bar' that other B-17 models in this scale are measured against. The parts have a good fit and detail is pretty nice. A great value for the price. Consider using some of the 'rub and buff' silver products for the body sheen. You can also find many aftermarket decals available for this model, should you want to create a specific aircraft.

I highly recommend this kit for anyone who wants to build a large bomber in 1/48 scale. The interior is highly detailed and comes together nicely. I cut my bomb bay doors out and glued then in the open position so you can see the payload from the exterior. I'm waiting for Revell-Monogram to reissue the rest of their large scale bombers so I can purchase them (B-52, B-36, B-29 and B-24).

Overall, this was a great kit. Very detailed interior allows for great cutaway models. Instructions were very clear, and made such a big build easy. There were some problems with fit, particularly around the windows, and the ball turret has a tendency to fall out if not reinforced. Having crew members and bomb cart added to the ability to make a good diorama scene if that is desired.

If you have some more money (like over $20), then this is a good option for a airplane kit. It's not too difficult, although the molding can be better, and the detail is decent. What makes it good is the decals of the WWII poster girls you can put on the side-front of the plane. It's cool to show it to people because that model would then be a replica of an actual plane.

I love this KIT!!! it is nicely done and looks really good very realistic and very fun to build if you buy this kit the box is going to be really big but don't be intimidated cause it is smaller then the box but other then that i made it with ease and had a lot of fun with it and so will you it did take me a while but i slacked a little so have a lot of fun

Honestly this has been the most fun build I've ever done, even though I've only done a few. To start off with this plane is massive at least in my perspective. Windows fit in perfect, joints fit perfect. Everything fit perfect. You just have to take your time and really read your instructions if you don't you're screwed before you even open the box.

This model is a great value for the money. No issues with fit of parts. I built the monogram version back in the 80s....seems like pretty much the same model today. Only shame is that the bomb bay is fixed closed unless you are willing to perform surgery on it; this makes the bomb-bay detail useless, since you can't see it after assembly.

Finished the interior, loads of details for this scale. My only problem is that all that detail will become invisible once the two hulls are glued together, take pictures of your work before enclosing the interior. There is enough detail that it is not a quick project, which is good. Excellent project, well worth the purchase.

I finished this one and I can't believe how well it turned out. The instructions were flawlessly clear, and the pieces fit together very well. Considering this is an older kit, it still is better than most other model kits out there. This is my favorite model kit that i have ever put together! I highly recomend this item.

Have built 2 or 3 of these and have three more still in their boxes . Have one on tap to start this Fall. Great kit though I will make some mods to the next one. Cheyenne -type tail perhaps. My favorite airplane. Flew on Sentimental Journey a few years ago. Experience of a lifetime! No disappointments with this kit!

for the money, it is a great deal. the details are nothing to write home about, but with a few tricks you really can make the kit look good. fit was pretty good, but lacking a lot of detail in the wheel wells and in some of the gunner sections. excellent to practice weathering and all that.

this is a wonderful kit i have built several over the years , the detail on the interior is awesome , although alot of the detail is covered up after the plane is finished, but its a great project to improve your detail painting skills . pick up one or two you will not be disapointed

I built the Memphis Belle version of this model and had a great time with the interior painting and detailing. The kit went together very well with little or no fit problems. As the kit goes with any other WW2 model aircraft it is sure to make a great addition.

Pros: Looks great, easy build Cons: Revell pieces don't always fit together the best, some sanding or cutting is usually required. Also the halves of the fuselage don't match up well and have significant gaps. Some putty is recommended to fill these in.

This is the best b-17G model available from Revell,as it has great detailing and looks great when fully assembled. This is my one of my favorite models that I enjoy assembling. I would recommend this to any modeler looking for a model like this.

I built one of these a few years ago. Unfortunately it did not survive my last move. I do have one more of these in my stash. It really builds up well. This would be a good kit for a younger builder who knows basic techniques. Highly recommended

I built this model as a teenager, and again 40+ years later. It is the same kit I remember. Good fit and detail. It even had the glossy diorama article in the box. It looks as good on the ceiling as the first time I built it, a true classic.

This kit was really fun to build. It's the largest model I've built recently and goes together very well with minimal seam-filler. it looks great and my only problem now is to build a big enough shelf to fit it on. Recommend this highly.

this was my first bigger model plane i put together, it went together really well. there were a few small pieces but they also went together well. i enjoyed putting this model together, now i have to build a big enough shelf to put it on.

No option for Bombay doors to be open and gear up without significant fabrication. Is the only real complaint I have so far. The details are really good and fitting parts together has been minimal trimming at this time.

A big model from Revell. The fit of the parts is OK. The detail is OK, and it looks pretty good when finished. Make sure you have a place to display this model as it is big, did I say that already? It is big.

I loved doing this model! I bought it and was looking at the model and it was sodding huge! Its looks are deceiving though. it may have a wing span of 2 feet, but the build over all was pretty easy.

I spent almost a month building this, but it was worth all the effort and strife to see the finished product. Definitely worth the money. Might not be ideal for a novice builder, though.

The interior has lots of details, but few decals. So it is great if you want to start learning(or mastering) the skill of painting and detailing on cockpits and interior on aircraft.

Its a great begginer's kit for those who want a large project without the intricacies of ships. The only issue i had was gaps at the seams, this was easily solved with filler putty.

This was my first model i have ever done and i have to say its perfect for beginners the large pieces and excellent instructions make this a must for modeler of any experience

The parts have a good fit and detail is pretty nice. A great value for the price. Consider using some of the 'rub and buff' silver products for the body sheen.

This is a great model if you are into the detailing aspect. Very good detailed instructions on painting of all parts. Very high detail present on the pieces.

I landed up using a combination of this kit, and the old Revell F model kit to make a custom B-17. This kit has interior detail that the F kit lacked.

This is a good kit from Revell. Easily put together, with easy to follow instructions. The plane is pretty big, so be sure to have plenty of room.

Take your time and do a good job painting this model and you will have a real beauty of a plane to display. I display this model with pride!

This is an older kit of the famed Flying Fortress, but it is still a top of the line Kit that I would recommend in a heart beat.

This model of the B-17 was everything I looked for...detail, size, and price. Didn't go wrong on the quality of this.

Great plane but does not assemble easily. Need putty for gaps. Sanding required. Revell could do better.

I highly recommend this to any model builder. Revell does a great job in all their models A+++

Fun model to build. Great for adults or teens looking for a hobby. Fun for kids to look at.

I always loved the B-17 flying fortress the air craft helped win the war in Europe.

very detailed, very big model (i like 1/48 scale). very nice to assemble and paint

Can't wait to get started. Package arrived in a very timely manner.

Everything in the box looks beautiful and should become a great model

inside is great put grain of wheat blubs in side to show off inside

lots of fun putting together. looks great and may get another one.

Just got it today but I can't wait to get started. 🤠

This is no different than o scale and is worth your money!

This was a cool model to build i really enjoyed it