Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress – 19th BG USAAF, Malang, Java, February 1942

Corgi Aviation 1/72 scale AA33312: Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress of 19th BG USAAF, Malang, Java, February 1942. Limited Edition of 1,010 models. Model has a superb looking weathered finish, as would have been caused by the tropical climate in the Far East area of Operations.

Length 12.25 inches Wingspan 17.25 inches

PLEASE NOTE: Model box lid has been stored in partial sunlight and caused some discolouration. Also there are a few marks on the box side. Model is new.

By New Year’s Day 1942, 11 B-17s flew to a new base at Malang in Java. Their main target then was Japanese shipping. These B-17s were reinforced in January 1942 by some LB-30 Liberators and some new B-17Es of the 7th Bomb Group.

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.

As of early November 2023, there are six airworthy and registered B-17 aircraft still flying. Five of these are in the US, and one is based in the UK. There are 19 examples that have a current (November 2023) registration with the US FAA. These are not all airworthy, but some have the potential to fly again or have in the past. Note that many of these aircraft have been renamed in preservation – they do not necessarily have their original war names or liveries. Approximately 45 airframes survive in total.