Guillow'sBoeing B-17G Flying Fortress Model Kit

Very challenging project.

Fun kit. Lot's of pieces. Good instructions. Should start on easier projects first and build up to the B17. Have fun and take your time.

Regarding this order that I returned to Amazon, there was nothing wrong with the plane or Seller's service. However, the plane - which was bought for my 92 year-old Dad - was a little too complicated for him to assemble. Here's my dilemma: My Dad found two small parts of the model plane on his dresser this morning! Where and how can I return these parts to Amazon? I am happy to pay for their return. Please let me know.

This is not my first Guillow's kit, I have done several so I knew what I was getting into. This kits is pretty advanced, it has a ton of parts that need a delicate touch. It is extremely easy to break the balsa then cutting, also some of the softer stock has some crush marks from the die-cutter. I highly recommend getting a x-acto knife with a bulk pack of blades and CA modeler's glue along with activator and debonder, this stuff is pricy but worth every penny when dealing with the small parts. I fully intend to mod this kit for electric motors and micro RC, I haven't got that far yet but so far so good. I have added my unpacking the box photos for reference.

If you are a beginner to balsa models, do not get this! With all the gun turrets, you cant just put streamers anywhere and it is just harder alltogether, but it does pay off and then some, the wing span is about my height. And at the end, little mistakes are hard to see. The instructions only tell you how to make "U-Control" and the display model, no RC or rubber powered. Its very rewarding at the end, but frustrating while building. I would not recommend this to beginners but highly recommend this to an advanced balsa builder.

Lots of parts are crushed in the precutting. Cutting slots is critical and often need to be glued back together before proceeding. I use a plastic butcher table for all my cutting and foam board with pins to hold parts in place. I use small scraps of butcher paper when gluing errors so they don't stick to the table. I have a tube of plastic clamps which help a lot and fine emory to sharpen my knife blades.

I BUILT THIS MODEL IN 1974. I PAID $17.00 FOR IT. WHY IS THE PRICE SO HIGH NOW? I KNOW ITS WAY OLD, BUT THAT MUCH DIFFERENCE? COME ON!

I purchased this airplane model because my father was part of the manufacturing of these airplanes during WWII. I have build models of each of the airplanes he worked on during the war and have them hanging in my workshop as a constant reminder of the contribution and sacrifice that he made during World War II. I would recommend this build to anyone who would like a challenge and possibly a fun together project between father and son.