Postage Stamp Planes PS5413-2
Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress Diecast Model
USAAF, #42-29782 Boeing Bee |
| 1:155 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress | | 5.75" | | 8" |
B-17F #42-27982 rolled off the Seattle assembly line in early 1943 and was immediately flown to California. It returned to Washington to fly training missions at Moses Lake Army Air Base with the 396th Bombardment Group. In January 1944, it left the U.S. for an unknown destination - possibly England - but returned in March, was withdrawn from service, and shipped to Altus, Oklahoma, for disposal. In 1946, the aircraft was given to Stuttgart, Arkansas, for use as a war memorial. Stripped of its military equipment, it served as a display for the next five years. In 1953 it was returned to flying condition and converted to an aerial sprayer and firefighter.
The aircraft appeared in the 1968 movie The 1,000 Plane Raid, the 1969 movie Tora! Tora! Tora!, and the 1989 movie Memphis Belle. After its Hollywood career, it was delivered to the Museum of Flight in Renton, Washington in 1991 and was restored its wartime look. In 1998, the B-17F, newly christened Boeing Bee, flew from Renton to Boeing Field to complete its restoration. After 20 years of effort, the aircraft was put on display in 2011 and is considered one of the finest B-17 restorations in the world.
Designed to meet a US Army Air Corps requirement for a multi-engined bomber to replace the B-10, the B-17 first flew on July 18, 1935. Best known for its role in the US Army Air Forces' daylight strategic bombing campaign during World War II, the B-17 could fly high and had a long range, and was capable of defending itself from enemy fighters. It was also tough, withstanding extensive battle damage, and was capable of carrying a 6,000 lb bombload. The B-17 became one of the symbols of Allied air power, equipping 32 overseas combat groups and dropping a total of 580,631 metric tons of bombs on European targets. © Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The "Postage Stamp Planes" range presents affordable, ready-made diecast models of military and civilian aircraft.
"Postage Stamp Planes" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Presentation stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Authentic ordnance loads.
© Copyright 2003-2024 The Flying Mule, Inc.
