Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress – A Bit O Lace, 709 BS USAAF & Nose Art Panel DISPLAYED

Corgi Aviation Archive 1/72 scale US33306: Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress #42-97976 A Bit O Lace of the 447th BG, 709th BS, USAAF, RAF Rattlesden, England, 1945, Complete with separate superb large scale Nose Art Panel. Limited Edition of? 2,100 Pieces Worldwide, intended primarily for US issue.

Length 12.25 inches Wingspan 17.25 inches

PLEASE NOTE: Model has been on display and has sun misting to some of the clear plastic window parts. Box has damage to one of the ends. Photos of actual model. Please do not purchase if the defects will not be to your standards

A Bit O’Lace was based on a popular Army cartoon strip, “Male Call.” Armourer Nicholas Fingelly painted it in 1944 and in July 1945 the Bomber returned to the U.S. after having flown 83 missions.

During WW2, young airmen separated from home, family, loved ones and a familiar way of life often sought ways of escaping the harsh reality of war by personalising their aircraft with what has become known as nose art. Humour, slogans, nicknames, cartoons, girls; all were used to bring a touch of light relief to their deadly day-to-day existence. The Corgi Nose Art range aims to capture some of the superb works of art that adorned aircraft on all sides of the conflict. Each model includes a diecast body panel featuring the art in colourful, large-scale detail.

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.