Best Crew for 1/18 B-17

YT · Post by YT » Mon Feb 08, 2010 7:04 pm

I bought one of the Memphis Belle 1/18 nose kits and now I need a crew for it. I was thinking P-38 pilots might be a good starting point. Thoughts?

Stug45 · Post by **Stug45** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 8:02 pm

tmanthegreat · Post by **tmanthegreat** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 8:23 pm

I would say the XD P-38 pilot would be your best bet as well. They have the correct high-altitude flight suit and the parachute. You may also want to swap heads between that figure, the regular P-51 pilot, and the retooled P-51 pilot to get some variety.

Have fun with the build

Post by **aferguson** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 8:32 pm

if you can get bbi p-51 pilots those would work great, complete with crusher hats. For the other guys, i guess p-38 pilots would do. Not really the right outfit but as close as you're going to get.

YT · Post by YT » Mon Feb 08, 2010 9:26 pm

I also thought of the BBI mustang pilot, but I think those might be impossible to come by. Those crusher caps sure are sweet though.

fightin · Post by **fightin** » Mon Feb 08, 2010 10:58 pm

wow, that's awesome!

CW4USARMY · Post by **CW4USARMY** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 4:51 pm

Wow! Thats cool! Does it come pre-painted?

YT · Post by YT » Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:06 pm

It's a kit.

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Razor17019 · Post by **Razor17019** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 6:31 pm

Do you have any Patton figs? His BoB coat looks close to what the bomber crews wore.

Of course, change out the head and lose the belt. Might want to keep the dog outside the plane...

CW4USARMY · Post by **CW4USARMY** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 7:05 pm

YT wrote:It's a kit.

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Bummer!! You did a great job painting it!

normandy · Post by **normandy** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 7:53 pm

YT, the kit looks great! You did an awesome job on it.

Is this B-17 nose (kit) part of an entire 1:18 B-17 model made in Germany or somewhere else in Europe? I seem to remember pics from a toy fair a few years ago...and the idea was you could buy the B-17 in sections (kits) and once you had them all, you'd have a 1:18th scale B-17 Bomber. I like it!

Post by **aferguson** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 8:12 pm

no it's just a nose. HPH never did any more of it. Don't think they ever intended to.

YT · Post by YT » Tue Feb 09, 2010 8:21 pm

Good call on Patton Razor, I didn't even think about him. I haven't even built my kit yet, those completed pictures are someone else's.

Razor17019 · Post by **Razor17019** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 10:45 pm

YT wrote:Good call on Patton Razor, I didn't even think about him. I haven't even built my kit yet, those completed pictures are someone else's.

Thanks! I had thought if 21stC ever came out with ANY bomber, that Patton body would work great!
Small Joes does NOT have these available anymore.

Lance Quazar · Post by **Lance Quazar** » Wed Feb 10, 2010 3:40 am

Congrats on finding one of these rare beauties.

And good luck with the construction/painting.

I read an article by some hardcore modeler who said this kit is VERY difficult to assemble.

Not trying to rain on your parade, I think this is a great item and I wish you the best!

CW4USARMY · Post by **CW4USARMY** » Wed Feb 10, 2010 6:08 am

YT wrote:Good call on Patton Razor, I didn't even think about him. I haven't even built my kit yet, those completed pictures are someone else's.

In that case, I withdraw my compliments until you finish it

Post by **aferguson** » Wed Feb 10, 2010 6:19 am

the only problem with the patton figure is it's not wearing a parachute harness.

Razor17019 · Post by **Razor17019** » Wed Feb 10, 2010 6:45 am

aferguson wrote:the only problem with the patton figure is it's not wearing a parachute harness.

Would the BBI reissue paratrooper with removable harness work?

cranedriver · Post by **cranedriver** » Wed Feb 10, 2010 12:54 pm

Just as soon as I get my case of BBI para's in I will let you know for sure I have been wanting some to make some custom P-51 pilots out of Indiana Jones figures.

cranedriver · Post by **cranedriver** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:31 pm

Got the BBI paras in today and slapped together this kitbash right quick and I do believe that the harness looks great. I still need to mod the harness some so the chute hangs lower in the back. As of right now its in the middle of the back and I am fairly certain the chute was lower on the pilot harness. Of course if your pilot is seated the chute position becomes a none issue.

Threetoughtrucks · Post by **Threetoughtrucks** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 9:45 pm

Guys... remember alot of B-17 cockpit crew wore helmets, so a little paint over Pattons stars or sanding then paint and all you need is the chute.

TTT

CENT-ONE · Post by **CENT-ONE** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 12:18 am

Lance Quazar wrote:Congrats on finding one of these rare beauties.

And good luck with the construction/painting.

I read an article by some hardcore modeler who said this kit is VERY difficult to assemble.

Not trying to rain on your parade, I think this is a great item and I wish you the best!

If you haven't already seen it here is a link to the article Lance Quazar is talking about. Hopefully some good tips on getting your kit together with minimal struggle. It's such an impressive model when finished that even with the difficulty I'd love to have one to give it a try. Good Luck! and keep us updated on the build.

http://www.aeroscale.co.uk/modules.php? ... nt&id=3090

Lance Quazar · Post by **Lance Quazar** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 3:25 am

^Yep, that was it. Very cool that you found the article, I couldn't track it down again.

Hope that helps with your cockpit, YT. I can't wait to see your finished efforts!