You always dreamed of owning your very own B-17 FLYING FORTRESS... But cutting wood and building a model from plans seems daunting and the hundreds of hours to build one model seems almost impossible due to time constraints of daily life... Well, LEGEND HOBBY understands your desire to own a legend.... and now your YOUR WAIT IS OVER...
Some B-17 Flying Fortress History:
In 1934, the Boeing Aircraft Company of Seattle, Washington, began construction of a four-engine heavy bomber. Known as Boeing model 299, it first took flight on July 28, 1935. The government ordered production of 13 of these aircraft, now designated the Y1B-17. Delivery of these first production models was between January 11 and August 4, 1937.
The B-17 received the name Flying Fortress from a Seattle reporter who commented on its defensive firepower. The B-17 underwent a number of improvements over its 10-year production span. Models ranged from the YB-17 to the B-17-G model.
Throughout the war, the B-17 was refined and improved as battle experience showed the Boeing designers where improvements could be made. The final B-17 production model, the B-17G, was produced in larger quantities (8,680) than any previous model and is considered the definitive Flying Fortress. With its 13 .50-caliber machine guns – chin, top, ball and tail turrets; waist and cheek guns – the B-17G was indeed an airplane that earned the respect of its combatants. In addition, air crews liked the B-17 for its ability to withstand heavy combat damage and still return its crew safely home.
Between 1935 and May 1945, 12,732 B-17s were produced. Of these aircraft, 4,735 were lost during combat missions.
At one time, more than 1,000 B-17s could be assembled for mass combat missions. Today, fewer than 100 B-17 airframes exist and fewer still are in airworthy condition. Today, approximately 46 B-17 aircraft are known to survive in complete form, approx 10 of which are airworthy, and approx 39 of which reside in the United States.
About the LEGEND HOBBY 125" B-17G FLYING FORTRESS:
The LEGEND HOBBY 125" B-17G FLYING FORTRESS model is an exciting replica of the original WWII Bomber that helped turn the tide of WWII and was loved by its crew. This amazing bomber penetrated deep into AXIS TERRITORY, delivered heavy bomb loads, shot down thousands of enemy fighters and yet managed to bring many crews home to safety thanks to it's rugged airframe, 13 .50 calibre machine guns on board and determined air crews that refused to give up! Legend Hobby proudly brings you this historic bomber in an impressive 125-inch wingspan model that results in a great flying bomber that is easy to see, manageable to fly, but because of its two-piece wing, removable stabilizer, the model breaks down nicely to fit into most vehicles. Though not intended to be flown or built by the novice modeler, experienced modelers will find this B-17 easy to assemble and versatile enough to handle gas, glow and electric power systems with ease!
Features:
- Plywood,balsa wood with fiberglass and clear plastic trim-piece components
- Fully sheeted airframe uncovered and unpainted fiberglass parts
Optional (8) Piece Bomb Set with simulated exploding/separating bomb halves will be available.
Engines ----------- Four Stinger 10cc-15cc Gas Engines, or .55-.60 two-stroke or four .70-.90 four-stroke engines (Pitts-style mufflers can be used), or electric power electric equivalent
If you use electric motors you don't need the (4) throttle servos, if making turrets functional add (1) servo per turret, if adding bomb release add (1-2) mini/standard servos
Servos Required:
(5) Mini or Micro Metal Gear servos: (1) landing gear valve operation, (4) throttle if using gas/glow engines and not electric such as HITEC HS-5245MG or HITEC D89MW or any mini or micro similar servos.
(12) Standard size servos: (2) elevators ,(2) ailerons, (2) flaps, (1) Rudder/tail steering (2) Bomb Bay Doors, (3)Turret Movement/Rotation (metal gear servo with long arm like HITEC HS-645MG or HITEC D645MW)
Long tail moment aircraft and "heavy metal WWII aircraft" usually require a modest amount of nose weight. More weight will likely be required with glow engines. We have designed in a battery ballast tray above the motor/engine area to help place batteries forward of the CG and help to minimize electric motor/ignition wire length. On such a large aircraft ,the weight is really not an issue - but as with all airplanes, the CG is important for proper flight performance. For flight controls, good-quality ball-bearing metal gear servos are recommended. Due to the extra forces on the tail gear/rudder combination, a metal gear servo is also recommend for that. Most of our B-17s only require 2 lbs , that's right, 2 lbs to achieve proper CG and great flying characteristics! Other B-17s in this size require 5-7lbs !!!
* Does not include: radio gear, engines/motors , retractable landing gear, bomb ordnance, adhesives, battery packs or silicone fuel line, finishing supplies, this is airframe kit only.
NOTE THESE ARE PRE-PRODUCTION IMAGES OF THE ARC/UNCOVERED B-17. FINAL MODEL HAS MINOR UPDATED CHANGES INCLUDING 4.5 DEGREES DIHEDRAL!
Next (2) Videos are of RANDY LARSEN's LEGEND HOBBY 125" B-17 SILVER with Callie Graphics and his own airbrushing right over the stock silver covering! Less than 2 lbs needed for proper CG/Balance! Model is a sweetheart to fly in gas, glow or electric configurations!
Looking for Replacement Parts?
Reach out to us via email to find out what parts are available. Send us an email at info@legendhobby.com to inquire about replacement or spare parts.