The Legendary Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress of WWII

BOEING B-17F FLYING FORTRESS (1941).
:A bomber designed in 1934, it made its first flight on July 28,1935, but wasn't ready for delivery until March 1940.
Hoisting a deadly load of bombs into the frozen skies, the B-17 Flying Fortress was the United States' workhorse heavy bomber during the WWII. B-17s served around the globe, but they are perhaps most famous for their Eigth Air Force daylight strategic bombing raids on Germany. Flying in close formation and bristling with machine guns, the 'Forts' battled through storms of anti-aircraft fire and swarms of German fighters to reach their targets.
The B-17 was slower than it's counterpart bomber, the B-24 Liberator. It carried fewer bombs and couldn't fly as far as the B-24. Yet, because of the B-17s sturdy and stout design, its crews trusted their aircraft believing that their 'Forts' wouldn't let them down. B-17s returned to England daily with their noses blown open, tails gashed and wings riddled with flack damage. Often they touched down with one or two oil-streaked engines stone cold, with the remaining engines moaning under the strain.Many crews felt that they owed their lives to 'the old bird' that just wouldn't give up.. As many as 12,731 Flying Fortresses were built.

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Purchase Information $14.95 Two intense months were spent to get this model ready. Much thanks goes to Kancho for all his help. Please let us know about any errors you might discover. Back to Bombers

What people say... Thanks for the easy build. Nice design. The FG B-17 is a goodie of the first order. Would I be too far off in saying that FG is positioning itself to give the paper model companies in the old world a run for their money? Surely looks that way from this part of the swamp. Best entertainment money that I have ever spent Thank you so much for publishing this model. Your timingis perfect. My neighbor's Dad was a navigator on a B-17 and hejust published his memoirs: 'Return From Berlin - The Eye of a Navigator' by Robert Grilley,University of Wisconsin Press. I will be building this modelas a gift to honor him. I can hardly wait to get home to download the model and start building. JimGausman Whoooooaaa Chip!!!! I certainly don't want to give you a big head- but you guys did another great job on the '17!!!! My modem is still smoking from the download.... Thanks for another great model.. my real estate agent also thanksyou as I will be shortly looking for a new home with enough roomfor these things!!! Most appreciatively, Von Ric I just downloaded the B-17!! Looks beautiful. Thanks for creatingthis beauty. Your biggest fan, Anthony Sanchez Here I am seeing what mail came in today and, LOL, a big envelope from Fiddlersgreen! Inside the marvelous B-17! Chip and gang (all youlovely assistants) you guys really know how to lift a fella's spirits... James Duckworth I would like to say your B-17 is astounding! That'll really wow them at my model group! I do love your old designs, but seeing the work of late I truly marvel at the skill and craftsmanship that goes into designing your models. . Keep up the brilliant work! Derek I purchased the green B-17. I am enjoying it. I did find one small mistake. The engines on a B-17 are studebaker built wright-cyclone, nine cylinder, R-1820-97 developing 1200 h.p. each. I know this for a fact because I work on the "TEXAS RAIDERS" B-17g, gulf coast wing, caf Colonel Robert W. Oden (7/06)

This B-17 model comes in B&W for those of you who wish to print it on white cardstock or silver paper- It also comes in the well known olive-drab color scheme. There are three additional variations that are just three sheets of markings.This B 17 model-like all your Fiddlers Green models- is easy to build, fun, and informative. It should take about three evenings of TV commercials to complete. Wing span is a whopping 25"..This model comes in just one size at this time and consists of about 15 sheets for each version. Print them all and give one to a friend.
Inkjet silver paper is available from Red River Paper
or order your B-17 Flying Fortress already printed on plain OR silver cardstock from our friends at Paper Models International.
Lots of great instructions all through the printout. Ditto, some interesting facts about the Flying Fortress. Check out the thumbnails above- approx 150k

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Meet Hank Caruso, the Grand Master of Aviation Paintings.	Keith Ferris.. The artist who painted the Smithsonian B-17 mural,
Great fun taking part of a model and creating a new one. OR, parts from a bunch of models and creating a monster..

Tips for the Boeing B-17 Bomber:
Finished regular size B-17. Fit together better than any of yourmodels that I've built. Still find it best to glue all wing pieces together flat, score the entire span at once. Then everythinghas the same curvature, and the pieces fit. Also, the wing fairingis so accurate that I glued the fairing together first and thenjust slipped it over the wing. It got the right shape and matchfuselage and wing perfectly....Dave Finkleman
Went to see my physician yesterday about the tingling in my right hand. Yep - Carpal Tunnel alright. Downloading thislatest round of downloads ain't helpin'. But who cares?! Bring'emon. Thanks for the alternate parts for the Tu-4. And the SB-17G,Coast Guard for B-17G, is a great addition to the FG stable. Passthe word - the Coast Guard version did not carry the macine guns,and the top and belly turrets were removed. Nice job! Now . .. where did I put my wrist brace . . .?