Aviation

[donbmw]

Check this out

http://theballybomber.com/2013-c.html

[nhmaf]

Quit impressive!
 I don't know if it is my eyesight, but somehow it appears to me that the engine nacelles are a little too close together, or the engine nacelles are a little too large in diameter, or something.    But, it is quite impressive in any case!

[Tony Smith]

Surprisingly (or perhaps not), 50% and 30% scale models were frequently used int he days before computers to test out full sized designs. Below is a link which details the scale models used to develop the Short Stirling bomber
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_Stirling

Other aircraft for which scale (but manned) models were prodcued include the Avro Vulcan (search on Avro 707) the General Aircraft "Fleet Shadower" and many more that I cannot recall at present.
 
That said, the B17 is a truly wonderful effort. Were would be be without eccentrics willing to spend years of their lives following a dream? After all, we cannot all ride r65s, they didn't make enough of them.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I love the internet.  Thanks for the post!