Boeing B17G Flying Fortress "Rose of York" - Limited edition (RESTOCK)

Hong Kong Models' imposing 1/32 B-17G first appeared in 2013 and caused quite the stir on its release. It was so large that it came with a bracket so you could mount it on a wall. The tooling has been re-released after HK's owner was so moved by the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II, he vowed to remember her in his own way. The result is kit 01E044 Rose of York

HK's kit offers not just the standard parts, but new decals to represent Rose of York, an asset of the 367th Bombardment Squadron, 306th Bombardment Group. A second livery is provided too, this being for the same airframe but with red and yellow bands on the vertical stabiliser, as seen from August 1944. Also supplied is a superbly detailed 1/32 resin figure of the then Princess Elizabeth, clutching a bouquet of roses as depicted in the famous USAAF photo of the occasion. This thoughtful release is limited to 500 kits

The titular airframe found the limelight during a visit by the Royal family to RAF Thurleigh, Bedfordshire, on July 6, 1944. On the day, the then Princess Elizabeth was photographed with B-17G 42-102547 Rose of York, its nose art added as a tribute to the future monarch. A bottle of champagne (although one source, British Pathé, states English cider) was suspended from the aircraft's nose and smashed against a steel plate mounted between the chin turret guns, as part of the christening ceremony. Sadly, this machine was lost over the North Sea during its 63rd mission on February 3, 1945, with its entire crew led by Lt Vernor F Daley.

One of the most combat aircraft, America's first all-metal, four-engine heavy bomber aircraft - Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress was primarily conduct in the daylight precision strategic bombing campaign of WWII against German industrial and civilian targets. Participated into War of the Pacific against Japanese airfield and shipping.
Because of their long-range capability, formations of B-17 often flew into battle with no fighter escort, The model G carried 13 0.5 calibre machine guns. It's own defensive capabilities to insure a successful mission.
By 1944 the B17's also had fighter protection in shape of Mustang fighter. Then B17 could concentrate on Luffwaffe's factories and Berlin.
The bombing raid on Germany by 8th Air Force and RAF's Bomber command took the heart out of Germany's industrial production. By September 1944, out of the 1.5million tons of bombs dropped on Germany, B17 dropped 500,000 tons. And they fired 99 million rounds of ammunition during flights, that 20,000 German planes were destroyed, in total, over 12,000 B17 were built in the war and nearly 250,000 Americans experienced flying in them, 46,500 were either killed or wounded. However B17 is the significant bomber aircraft of WWII.