32scalelover Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 Any idea how hard it would be to convert the HK B-17G into a YB-40? I know it had an extra top turret and the waist guns were twin 50's instead of the singles. Any other differences i am missing? Any ideas welcome. Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis7423 Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 (edited) You would essentially need both B-17 kits, as she has the stinger tail and unstaggered waist are only available (currently) in the E/F kit. You would need a Martin top turret for the radio compartment, too, which isn't currently available. The top turret in the Hobby Boss B-24 is kind of a Martin, however :-) So, if you cobble together parts from three $200+ kits, plus some scratch building, you could most certainly build a YB-40! And I, for one, think you should do it. - Dennis S. . Thornton, CO USA Edited October 22, 2019 by Dennis7423 LSP_K2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
32scalelover Posted October 22, 2019 Author Share Posted October 22, 2019 Thanks for the good info guys. It sounds like a little more expense than I am willing to commit for the project. Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis7423 Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 Did the YB-40 have a retractable ball turret? The one in the photo sure is tucked up into the belly pretty far. It doesn't appear to be a remote turret, either. I also noticed that the tail gunner's position seems to have some additional armor, or improved field of vision going on. Pretty neat stuff! - Dennis S. Thornton, CO USA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobster Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 If I am understanding correctly, the b-17G kit would need the back half of a B-17F grafted on, plus (the best we currently have) Martin turret from the B-24. Seems kits are parted out on E-bay all the time, making it reasonable to get fuselage and turret separate. Maybe could get parts from manufacturer as well. Don't give up. What an awesome idea. The result would be impressive ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
do335b6 Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 Other than the additional turret I have masters for most of the stuff almost finished. Some of the YB-40s had a chin turret with 6 .50 s in it. I'm hopefull to have all the masters done before the end of the year. https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fpbs.twimg.com%2Fmedia%2FClLFVQeUYAAqwBu.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fghqhomeforces%2Fstatus%2F743873860915716097&docid=wfe_bo-1m5RruM&tbnid=QhRufvq7Lsf5FM%3A&vet=10ahUKEwjH3NOFqrDlAhWEuZ4KHWEkChUQMwiGASgnMCc..i&w=800&h=600&bih=1218&biw=2400&q=yb 40 pics&ved=0ahUKEwjH3NOFqrDlAhWEuZ4KHWEkChUQMwiGASgnMCc&iact=mrc&uact=8 nmayhew 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seiran01 Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 Greg if you go ahead with this I can send you the Martin turret from my B24- won’t be using it. Dennis7423 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis7423 Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 Greg, don't shelve this yet! Looks like we might be able to collectively find everything you need. - Dennis S. Thornton, CO USA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandiego Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 Don't you mean UB 40. What a band!! Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seiran01 Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 2 minutes ago, Dandiego said: Don't you mean UB 40. What a band!! Dan ..... I’d need a few large bottles of red red wine to listen to then Bill_S and Lee White 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patricksparks Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 I don't think you need 2 kits, the YB-40s were base on "F" airframes and most photos I have seen show no "Cheek guns" with the "G" fairings and the chin turret on the YB-40 is not the same shape as the production chin turrets. Hope this might help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
32scalelover Posted October 22, 2019 Author Share Posted October 22, 2019 Well the only kit I have at this point is the B-17E/F. Would it be easier to modify an G chin turret or just try to build one from scratch since they are slightly different? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis7423 Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 1 hour ago, 32scalelover said: Well the only kit I have at this point is the B-17E/F. Would it be easier to modify an G chin turret or just try to build one from scratch since they are slightly different? I think modifying one would be easiest, as the overall dimensions are pretty much the same. To boot, I have an extra I'd be happy to send your way. Drop me a PM and I'll get it in the mail to you. - Dennis S. Thornton, CO USA LSP_K2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
32scalelover Posted October 23, 2019 Author Share Posted October 23, 2019 (edited) One last question. Any ideas on where I would get the twin waist guns? I assume they would be of a different configuration from that of a SBD or SB2C? I was thinking of trying to cast copies if I could find something close. Does anyone know if there are any scale drawings of the YB-40. All I have seen is around 10-15 pics on the internet. Greg Edited October 23, 2019 by 32scalelover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomprobert Posted October 23, 2019 Share Posted October 23, 2019 On 10/22/2019 at 5:53 PM, do335b6 said: Other than the additional turret I have masters for most of the stuff almost finished. Some of the YB-40s had a chin turret with 6 .50 s in it. I'm hopefull to have all the masters done before the end of the year. https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fpbs.twimg.com%2Fmedia%2FClLFVQeUYAAqwBu.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fghqhomeforces%2Fstatus%2F743873860915716097&docid=wfe_bo-1m5RruM&tbnid=QhRufvq7Lsf5FM%3A&vet=10ahUKEwjH3NOFqrDlAhWEuZ4KHWEkChUQMwiGASgnMCc..i&w=800&h=600&bih=1218&biw=2400&q=yb 40 pics&ved=0ahUKEwjH3NOFqrDlAhWEuZ4KHWEkChUQMwiGASgnMCc&iact=mrc&uact=8 That’s not a YB-40. It is in fact a standard B-17G named ‘West End’ of the 384th BG with an experimental fixed battery of 6 x .50cals and was installed at Wright field. It was flown operationally from Grafton Underwood on a few occasions in July ‘44. The guns were actually fired by the pilot! Sadly it was badly damaged and written off after a crash landing on July 7th ‘44. In regard to a YB-40 conversion - the E/F would definitely be an easier starting point in regard to nose window arrangements, but as others have said a chin turret would need to be sourced - although this is different to the standard G model turret and has a small sighting window between the guns. The YB-40 retained a similar cheek gun window arrangement to the standard F model, whereas the earlier XB-40 retained the early three small nose windows on either side. YB-40s actually had staggered waist guns, so it does complicate things a little if you plan to use the F-kit. The earlier XB-40 retained the opposite waist window arrangement, but had a longer turtle deck which reduced the Martin turret’s range of motion. The YB-40 has the turtle deck reduced in length, enabling a full traverse for the turret. It’s a bit of a minefield doing a conversion like this! The B-17 is never an easy subject! Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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