The Boeing PB-1W was a conversion of the B-17 bomber.

It was designed to provide US Navy fleets with airborne early warning against Japanese kamikaze attacks but did not enter service until after the end of the war.

In 1945 the US Navy was suffering heavy losses from Japanese air attacks and decided to equip aircraft with radar to warn against them.

The B-17 was chosen because it could carry the necessary radar and retain its heavy defensive armament and 24 B-17s were transferred from the USAAF for conversion to this role.

The war ended before any PB-1Ws could be deployed and they began entering service in April 1946.

They remained in service until they were replaced by the Lockheed EC-121 conversion of the Super Constellation airliner.

This model represents a PB-1W flying with US Navy squadron VX-4 in 1950.

Hasegawa 1/72 kit with Uncle Les’s conversion parts and decals from various sources, completed by Leigh Edmonds in September 2008.