HK Models 1/32 B-17F Memphis Belle Kit Review.

You’re on fire these days! A review machine!

Quick question, my workroom doesn’t have access to a window but I did have a strong ceiling bathroom fan vented outside installed, would that be ok for spraying?

Is there any difference between the 1st issue and this one?

Im not going to spoil anything for you Nigel.
Just going to say read the January Info from Eduard editorial in its entirety. Pop a Beer 🍺

Nigel+ you incorrectly pointed out turbo charges as supper chargers

The Famous 'Memphis Belle' was not actually the first B17 to complete 25 Missions. 'Knock Out Dropper ' was, completing her 25 missions either hours before or a day before the 'Belle' (Cannot recall which...) And yes, there are 2 differing nose glazings. The one with a cutout mounted a .50 cal in the cutout and deleted one of the .30 cals. The other nose (Earlier production series) has 2x .30 cal MGs mounted in the glazing. (A weakness the Germans soon exploited by making head on attacks...) The later F models adapted a metal frame mounting (in the cutout) for the .50 cal and the final F series had the Chin turret. (Early G series and the last F series looked almost identical, and the serial is the tell. I have both this boxing and the first release which also had an E model Fortress (Chief Seattle... of the Pacific North West). I want to make an RAF Coastal Command Fortress IIa (B-17E) based in Iceland
BTW, research the 'Memphic Belle' Markings carefully. All those kill markings and names around the gun poistions were added to her AFTER she returned to the US on a War Bond tour, as was the Hub cover markings on the wheels. (Which were either Blue and White or Red and White - Sources differ). Either way, it is a Lovely F model Fortress.

Forget the Lancaster and the B-17 for complexity. The B-24 Liberator puts them all to shame. Basically there was almost no two airframes built that matched the one ahead OR the One behind it on the Assembly line (Exaggerated a bit, but close to true!!) There is a large reference book called "B-24 - The Consolidated Mess" which tries to cover all the types, sub-types and one offs of 5 years of production ....

Hi Nigel,
Wow, another stunning review!
Just a couple of things to mention. I believe that Master Details does give free samples to modelers to review and use on their builds. Also, just wondering if you could ask HK about possibly making a buldged cheek gun nose for the B-17F? I think a lot of modlers would love that option, and are too scared to be cutting up a nose on a expensive kit.

Thank you for your hard work putting out these videos.
Cheers.

Hi Nigel, another great review, cost wise too expensive and too large good luck when you doo get around to building this kit but where are you going tl display it?☺ best regards from a Kiwi living in Australia

If you ever want to sell/donate a lanc……think of me please.
We can do a live buddy build. 😃

Would be cool side by side with a 1/32 scale Lancaster Diorama, Which model kit of Lancaster is your suggestion.

Nigel: who does their decals for the B-17 series?

Props shoulda been all the same Hamilton Standard

41- would have been the fiscal year the contract was let and the rest is the sequence number in that contract.

Belle rolled off the line in July of 1942.

Nigel where are you going to display all these massive models ? I have a tiny 1 bedroom unit absolutely zero room for my HK Lancaster & B-17G decided to hang mine from my ceiling 😂😂😂

Does anyone make these with Flak damage ? Because I’m wanting to with mine looking for a video walk through of creating Flak damage on the model 🔥

This looks like a beautiful kit that will build up into a fantastic model of the iconic aircraft. Great Review mate and great T-Shirt 😉

An absolutely spot on review nigel and as I’ve built this kit and haven’t used the wall mount as I don’t trust it.the kit itself is actually surprisingly easy to build for a big bird and glad I’ve built her ❤❤❤❤❤ onto the next review then bud

If you're going to do the Belle, you could either go to town with the flak and fighter damage she received on her final mission or as she is now in pristine condition. A great kit of a great subject.

I feel your pain about out of print books nigel. Just tried to get the 2 valliant wings FW 190 books. Not a chance. Maybe if I want to spend £70 for a £18 book lol

I have seen these at shows. There big and build up nice.

Dear Nigel,
I hope you don’t encounter too many of the adenoidal types on this review! Brett, on the other hand, is a star!
Regards,
Z

Hi Nigel will you be building that B17 G step by step on you tube?

Hi Nigel, Wow, This is quite a kit. Thanks for the review. Thanks for sharing. Have a great day. Jeff

Have a great build.

My bad I meant the B17 F

👍

Awesome kit,have loved the 'Fort' ever since I was a kid in the 70's & watched the old movie from the late 40's with Gregory Peck & the old TV show 12 o'clock high,HKM should do a 1/32 B-29 Superfortress me thinks?,now that would be a totally awesome kit with that greenhouse nose & all metal finish on those iconic aircraft,cheers

Great review Nigel, and a fantastic model - I'm sorely tempted to get this while it has a third off and stash until my skills improve and I'm brave enough to tackle it! Enjoy all your videos - Cheers Reggie

Great review Nigel, 90% of my kits are based on your reviews I wouldn’t buy a kit till I see a review and unboxing and surprisingly the kits I love you have ‘made reviews on 😊

Greetings from Russia!

Nigel,
Thanks for the great reviews of this line f B-17’s! Much appreciated. So besides the difference between the E/F and just the F model, is there a “better” or more updated version between these two HK B-17 kits? Thanks again.

Paul Moore
Cumming, GA

Nigel,
Since your on such a run with these B-17’s and as a follow-up to my previous question, maybe you could do a review of this line of HK B-17’s. What’s the differences, similarities, what’s improved between the kits etc.

Thanks again.

Looks very nice with a lot of spares😊

Hi Nigel - I just received the 1/48 B17F (01F002), and I think close to the last in OZ. The kit does include the propeller blade decals. Lovely looking kit, and it may take precedence over the 1/48 PT Boat in build order. After the delightful Airfix Anson, for which I am about to button up the fuselage..

When you mention fabric padding, what should I use to put that in? I have this model and will be doing a cutaway version. I have the PE extras, just stuck on the fabric padding.

Awesome great work hats off man
I'm building the 1/72 old Academy Memphis Belle, doing lots of scrap interior stuff.....for the kicks...finally not to be seen when the fuselage halves are glued together......this 1/32 scale you are showing today is massive impressive so yes great ideas for my project indeed so txs man cool

hey hey are you showing your build for this one? Keep my two eyes wide open see what comes

Nigel, awesome review!! I believe the “41” In aircraft serial number may have been related to the U.S. Government’s fiscal year that the money to purchase said aircraft was appropriated from.

I just bought this kit in Australia and all the extra G parts have been removed from the sprues in the factory. You can only build and F version now. I would advise everyone to check the box before you buy.

Very cool. I grew up in Memphis Tn. and use to pass by the actual Memphis Belle when it was displayed outdoors at the Memphis National Guard Armory. I'm glad it is being preserved now inside at the National Air Force Museum in Dayton Ohio.

Wow 345 us dollars! That definitely is a lot for a model kit! But I will probably buy one anyway! LOL

Four hundred pounds now. A bit too steep for me.

I just bought this kit last Friday... the 2018 version (HKM01E30), I should get it tomorrow. Looking forward to build it. This is also my first HK kit.... Do you have any recommendations or anything I should watch for Nigel? Like errors, faulty parts, fitting issues etc...

Hi Nigel Out of the hobby for years, is anyone making a 1/32 kit of the B-29 ?? Thank you James