Sonic Modell (HobbyKing) 1875mm B-17 "Liberty Bell" remade into "Sentimental Journey"

[Grossman56]

I love this airplane!
Now, as a matter of interest, are you leaving the stock landing gear in her, or changing it out for something a little more scale like?

Grossman56

[crxmanpat]

Leaving it stock on the mains, and already added the FMS 1400mm Bf-109 tailwheel. But I did paint all the hubs and struts silver, so it looks a little better than stock.

[crxmanpat]

Placed my order with Callie last night for the Sentimental Journey nose art, which will complete the graphics for my bird. She'll be ready for the Apollo Warbird Squadron get together next weekend!

[crxmanpat]

She's finally done! Got my nose art in from Callie today, and put it on there. She's all ready for the big fly-in next weekend in LA!

[Aros]

Beautiful! Great job Pat! What a beauty!

[F106DeltaDart]

Looks great! I am sure it will look even more impressive in the air. Great work on the mods and repaint!

[TiredIronGRB]

That makes my sticker peck up...

[crxmanpat]

Thanks guys!

[Grossman56]

Way to go Pat!
Now, the timing for getting the new trailer was just right!!
Don't forget pics and vids of the flights.

Grossman56

[crxmanpat]

Oh wow, what a great flight I had this morning! I know this plane has gobs of power, so on my first flight today I tried a little experiment. Got her lined up on the runway, and slowly fed in power. At under 1/4 throttle the tail came up very nice, and she tracked well with just rudder. About 50' later I brought her up to 1/2 throttle for a very nice scale takeoff. Most of my flight was at half throttle or less, that's how much power she has. Very nice scale low passes, and presentation passes.

The only bad thing is my cameraman did not show up today, so no pics or vid. But hopefully we'll get some next weekend at Apollo.

[Jody Shaneyfelt]

This is My Sonic Models B-17, formerly painted as Liberty Belle. I repainted it as my Dads B-17 called "Michigan Air Force" from the 385th bomb group. I was a G model, but I haven't been able to make a realistic looking chin turret yet that I like for it. They flew 5 missions and were shot down on the Munster raid of 10/10/43. I only fly it about 3 times a year because its so hard to find parts. It has around 40 problem free flights and was an excellent kit and has the best scale features I've seen in a B-17 foamy yet. sucks they quit making it. It's an awesome flyer

[Jody Shaneyfelt]

She's finally done! Got my nose art in from Callie today, and put it on there. She's all ready for the big fly-in next weekend in LA!

Great looking Sentimental Journey model, I've seen the real one in person many times and can't get enough of her... Great job on the re-paint.. :)

[crxmanpat]

I'm lucky to have the full scale here at home. I get to see her flying around my house most weekends during the winter.

[Jody Shaneyfelt]

I'm lucky to have the full scale here at home. I get to see her flying around my house most weekends during the winter.

I lived in Tucson years ago and seen her a lot. I moved to Ohio in 2000 and her at Thunder Over Michigan off and on and she was in Toledo last summer.

[Aros]

Hey Pat, please pick up the white courtesy phone (that's HobbySquawk speak for check your PM's! LOL)!

[Jody Shaneyfelt]

Great B17! I like the idea of an 1800mm size, but how is it for transport?

Grossman56

Grossman56, I have a 98 Olds 88 and my 1875 mm B-17 transports fine. The fuselage fits door to door across my back seat. The wing I have to take in and out upside down through the back passenger side door and place the wing tip under the back window and rest the wing on the passengers seat head rest with the other tip facing the windshield. The wing has 2 screws and isn't a problem removing or installing.
I love this bird, but only fly it a few times a year since there aren't many places selling it or parts.
I would love to see Motion RC get it, then I'd fly mine almost every day.

[crxmanpat]

So my cameraman and I finally got on the same page. We now have video!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Nm4m5OPMhs

[TiredIronGRB]

She looks great!

[wvrailfan]

For those of us, like me, that missed out on this large B-17, it looks like HK will be releasing a V2 of the model in the near future. They had them on display at an event and mentioned them on their FB page. https://www.facebook.com/HobbyKing/?fref=ts

Scroll down, look for the video posted July 30 at 9:30AM

[F106DeltaDart]

It's actually out now: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...product=100637 Just ordered mine yesterday.