The destruction of a perfectly good Monogram (Revell) 1/48 Scale B-17G model

The Monogram 1/48 scale B-17G model, re-issued by Revell.

Monogram made one of the best B-17 models about 30 years ago.  It's always been my favorite.  It's a model that I've purchased and partially built several times over the years.  One of these kits has always been hidden somewhere in my homes at some time or other, waiting for me to start or finish it. 

I got the idea about five years ago to purchase this kit yet again.  This time, the plan was to build it as a B-17D with an aluminum finish. To make this happen, I'd need yet another Monogram B-17G kit, a Koster Aero B-17C/D conversion kit, some research materials and various model building tools (it had been a while since I messed with plastic models).

I ordered the Monogram kit (now distributed by Revell) and it sat, waiting for the Koster coversion.

The Koster conversion kit. It includes tail section,
clear parts and decals

Eventually, I got around to ordering the Koster kit.  The Koster kit provides several vacuum-formed parts that allow you to convert the 1/48 scale B-17G kit (or Revell's B-17F) to a C,D or E model.

For a while I leafed through each kit, checking out the parts and then putting them away.

Time went by while I slowly accumulated research materials. The "Warbird Tech Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress" and "The B-17 Flying Fortress in Detail and Scale" are great sources for interior and exterior details for early to late B-17 models. The books have overlapping content, but enough differences to make it worth having both. I had these books and others for a while.  The kits sat, collecting dust. I'd occasionally talk about my idea with model-making friends.