Flying Fortress. Just say that name to any aircraft enthusiast and visions of 12 O'clock High come to mind. Dangerous missions over occupied Europe with minimal escort and maximum flack. Hundreds of aircraft droning on in the stratosphere toward targets heavily defended by a determined enemy.

Kits of the Fortress have been around probably as long as the aircraft. In 1/72 there are several good kits, albeit a little long in the tooth, of the F and G models by Hasegawa. For the E and earlier, you have Academy to thank for several very nice models. Only the very early Y and Y1B-17s are unavailable in injected kit form.

Which brings us to this decidedly elderly Microscale sheet. You have a choice of three B-17Gs or a YB-17. Now where to get a YB-17 conversion set is beyond me, but those who are adventurous can always bash something out of the Academy B-17B.

The first three aircraft are from the 91st Bomb Group. One each from the 323rd, 322nd, and 401st Bomb Squadrons. All three are overall natural metal with OD anti-glare panels and red tail patches. All are named; the first is 'Priority Gal', then comes 'Hikin' for Home' and finally 'Time a Wastin', each with appropriate nose art. 

The odd aircraft is the YB-17 from the 49th Bomb Squadron, again in overall natural metal. This one has yellow engine cowlings. The cowlings and yellow tail bands will need to be painted on.

The detail on the sheet is not bad, but not as crisp as modern sheets. You get all the peculiar markings, but no national insignia or other maintenance markings other that prop logos .

Overall, it looks like a nice sheet and one that includes aircraft that are probably not on some of the newer sheets.

Review copy courtesy of me and my wallet! 

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly by a site that has over 900 visits a day, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.