Search the Community

Hey all, Hope you're all keeping sane-(ish) in lockdown! Here's my latest finish, Tamiya's excellent quarter-scale 'bolt finished with Thunder-cals new ETO set for all things thunderbolt, otherwise the only additions made were in purchasing Eduard's LooK set which include both an instrument panel and a set of their steel seatbelts. The aircraft was painted with Mr. Colour acrylics and finished as 'Snafu' as based at RAF Duxford. Many thanks for looking! Sam

Hy friends, as the end of the year is approaching, it is time to finish the started projects. The model is probably well known to everyone, the casting is nice and I had no problems working. The P-47 is by far my favorite WWII aircraft. This is my sixth P-47, which I completed, but after the New Year we move on. Here are the pictures, enjoy.

Good morning from chilly but sunny South Central Texas! I just now found this footage, and thought some of you might enjoy looking at it. The P-47 razorback footage shows the aircraft in their early markings, and you will notice that many appear to have been waxed, which was fairly common early on for more speed. I think these are early P-47D's from the 56th and 4th FG's. The P-38's I think are from the 55th FG. I have also posted a link to a very nice website that has details of the production variants of the P-47D and other reference material that might be useful for modelers, as well as a third link that has footage of P-38's, P-47's, and P-51's beating up Luftwaffe airfields after being detached from the bombers. Mike https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hz4i1l10OvE http://www.368thfightergroup.com/P-47-2.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEJa9iBPYb0

Hobby Boss is to re-box (with new decals ?) its 1/48th Republic P-47D Thunderbolt kit as ref. 85811 Release expected in China in late September 2019. Source: http://www.hobbyboss.com/index.php?g=home&m=article&a=show&id=143&l=en In box review of the 2012 original boxing - ref. 85804: https://www.cybermodeler.com/hobby/kits/hb/kit_hb_85804.shtml V.P.

Löök Resin Instrument Panels & Seatbelts – January 2019 Eduard 1:32 Continuing their line in the LOOK series of instrument panels, Eduard have released two more sets. These are for the 1:32 Eduard/Hasegawa Curtiss P40N-1, and Republic P-47D. As with the previously released sets, the modeller is provided, in these cases with the main instrument panel. Each set also includes a sheet of etched steel for the seat belts. The panels have all the correct markings and placards painted on them and the faces of each instrument is glazed, making them look very realistic, particularly with a bit of weathering to get away from that newly built look. Conclusion This series is a great resource for those of us who are unable to replicate all the markings on a panel, all in one easy package. They are certainly a neat and innovative idea from the masters of aftermarket. Review sample courtesy of

Here's my Hasegawa 1:72 Republic P-47D-10-RE Thunderbolt which I built back in 2004. It represents 42-75008, “88” flown by Lt. Col. Robert Baseler, of the 325th FG, in Foggia, Italy, in early 1944. It was an OOB build. Thanks for looking Miguel

Pics by Nick Cronin 44-90464 (ex-Yugoslav AF 13056) - Museum of Aviation, Belgrade

Hi everybody, my recent completion: P-47D 42-7937, 62nd Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force, Lt. Anthony R. Carcione, late 1943. The stereotypical USAAF aircraft as we imagine it carried some nose art, so when I decided to do a P-47, I was looking for one with either a cartoon figure or a pin-up. Finding a meaningful photo and the corresponding decal sheet can be frustrating at times, but finally, I settled for this aircraft that even displayed two dames, one more appropriately dressed than the other. This particular aircraft is quite well documented; apart from several photos it was also captured on film and appeared in the wartime documentary „Ramrod to Emden“ (www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_5ELQhzrPA). You can see LM-Q at about 32:05 in this clip. Part of the cowling with the nose art even survived to this day and apparently can be seen in a museum in Suffolk. This aircraft is representative of the moment when the 8th Air Force’s strategic bombing campaign against Germany was still teetering on a knife-edge, and the P-47s and P-38s struggled to protect the bombers during the most crucial points of the campaign. The puny P-51 only took over the role of the Thunderbolts and Lightning later. This is Tamiya’s 1/72 kit, and it is, of course, of the highest quality. The fit of the canopy is actually so tight that I couldn’t remove it again after test-fitting. The decals were included in the booklet Nigel Julian/Peter Randall/Zbigniew Kolacha, 56th Fighter Group. Part 1 (AJ Press), which I highly recommend. The red-bordered stars neither come with the kit nor the booklet, so I used a separate decal sheet by Experts Choice. One of the nice things about modelling is that you really learn new things about your subject. In this case, I learned that early and late D-models differ regarding the cooling flaps. On the later production blocks (and most likely the majority of all Thunderbolts built) the lower two flaps on each side are cut back and therefore narrower than the other flaps. The Tamiya kit and I guess every other kit has this later variant. 42-7937, however, was one of the early production blocks. Unfortunately, I discovered this only when I had already started airbrushing the model. So some meticulous last-minute cutting, puttying, adding of plastic sheet and sanding was due. Otherwise, this aircraft also needed a whip antenna instead of the antenna mast supplied with the kit. Now somebody should build an even earlier 56th FG P-47C with the yellow-bordered insignia without bars. Every comment welcome.

Republic P-47 Thunderbolt Kagero TopDrawings 50 One of the latest books in their TopDrawing series, this fifteen page softback is filled with line drawings and a selection of colour plates. Concentrating on the D-25, D-27, D-30 and D-40 models each drawing is annotated, describing the differences between each model, although admittedly some of the differences, particularly when comparing drawings on the same page are difficult to this untrained eye to make out. The line drawings are very nicely done though, and show all the access panels, panel lines and other details. All the line drawings and colour plates are in 1:48, with the exception of the drawings of the engine, instrument panels and weapons, some of which are in 1:24 scale. The book also comes with an A3 pull out showing the upper and lower views of a D-25 on one side and a D-30 on the other. A nice addition is the small mask sheet to be used with 1:48 scale models. Conclusion This is a very nice, well laid out book. As with other books in the series, this one should be used along with other reference material to ensure the accuracy of your model. Review sample courtesy of

Greetings Folks, Its been a while since i posted anything following the Matchbox GB. Here is my latest effort, Academy's Thunderbolt Nose Art Edition. The option i chose was the one on the box top the well known Big A$$ed Bird 2 flown by Major Howard Parks. Although this is not as perfect a kit as the Tamiya version it built up without any problems whatsoever IMHO a very nice kit. I built it OOTB but used a set of Hobbyboss decals i had in the stash as Academy's aren't the best in my experience. The entire model is brush painted using Revell acrylics. Masking was a bit of a chore but it appears to have been worth the effort in the end. Here's the pics... IMG_2736 IMG_2732 IMG_2734 IMG_2735 IMG_2733 IMG_2731 Well thats it for now, see ya later, and thanks for looking. Cheers Greg

I'm just starting to model an aircraft attached to 135 Sq. RAF in May 1945, a Thunderbolt P-47D-22. And I want to model it on a specific day, May 2, 1945, when 135 Sq. strafed the beaches south of Rangoon in support of the Operation Dracula landing. I'm trying to decide what sort of drop tanks I need on this aircraft. Round trip distance from Akyab probably about 650 miles. No bombs were dropped, so I presume none were carried. Take-off 0445, return 0830. I have photographs of 135 Sq. aircraft with paired 150 US gallon wing tanks, and also of aircraft carrying three 108 US gallon tanks, but none from the day in question. Does the absence of bombing necessarily imply that all three pylons were occupied, or would the fuel load preclude a bomb? Or might there be reasons not to carry a bomb? (It had been established the previous day that the area was unexpectedly lightly defended.) Any other practical reasons that would make one arrangement of tanks more likely than another? Thanks in advance for any thoughts you can offer.

I used Tamiya (No:70) kit. Actually it is a D-25 variant. I modified the fuselage to convert it to D-30 which was used in Turkish Air Force service. Decals are from Tigerhead Decals. I build this for the son of a P-47 pilot. The base is not completed yet. All comments are ok. Thanks for looking. Çetin

I bought this kit few years ago, before Eduard made their Limited Edition P-47 set, but i lost my appetite for this big fish . Now i have new airbrush from Gunze so it was a good time to check how it works. I used these additions for P-47: - Eduard resin wheels, - interior PE set, - RB model gun barrels, - Montex masks/decals

Time to finish another one: Tamiya’s little P-47 Bubbletop. Eduard Zoom PE set added together with Master gun barrels. This is my first natural metal finish after 15 years so please have a mercy on me. I used different shades of Alclad and I like the brand a lot. The decals are some leftover pieces (the "23" number should look a bit different but I wasn’t able to find the right font). Anyway here it is, a French Bubbletop of GC 2/5 "La Fayette" in Colmar, 1945:

Recently I came across this American WWII training movie explaining turbochargers: www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKTSCXRjcmQ. The didactic qualities of these movies (including the cartoon elements like the mountain goat at 3:44 to make things more entertaining) are always remarkable. AFAIK the USAAF was the only air force during WWII to use turbocharged as opposed to crankshaft-driven superchargers on a large scale. The B-17 and B-24 had them and the unusual size of the P-38 and P-47 is explained by the volume and weight of the available turbochargers. Now I wonder, why did the USAAF make this choice and did it pay off? I assume that the availability of heat-resistant alloys needed for an exhaust gas-driven turbocharger played a role. The Americans usually had a much better access to raw materials than other states. At least in the case of the failed German FW-190 C the lack of raw materials is said to have been decisive. But what about Britain? I think in the case of the Spitfire, the small airframe spoke against a bulky turbocharger and in favor of the two-stage supercharger. In the long run turbochargers seem to have beaten superchargers (for example in car engines), but I assume turbochargers were not superior during WWII. At least the 8th Air Force ultimately replaced the turbocharger-equipped P-47 and P-38 in the high-level escort role to a large extent by the Merlin-driven P-51 which had a two-stage supercharger. Even though the turbocharger was thought to be the key to superior high altitude performance, the P-47 and P-38 were pushed into the low-level fighter-bomber role. The situation might have been different with bombers. Maybe the turbocharger was essential for the B-17 and B-24. What do you think?

Hello Modellers Finished this recently. Essentially an OOB build with decals by Eaglecals. I'm pretty happy with it, thought its flaws are quite obvious. I have no references which affirm operational use of the centre tank and wing-mounted bomb configuration, so I will plead artistic licence. Comments welcome.

So it turns out my new (moved jobs to Hereford) hobby store do a great deal! if you by decalfix you get a free model.... that's my story and I am sticking to it!.... their decal fix is expensive, just over £10 anyway I ended up with this Untitled by robert mulvey, on Flickr I am going through a bit of a radial faze at the moment which may need to be addressing at some point in the year, also I never really built US aircraft however since the the MTO GB and completing 'Bottoms Up II' i have become quite keen on US aircraft and their lovely nose art options! I have always loved this one for childish reasons of course, so when I saw it there in the store while I was trying to find something to take me above £5 for a card transaction I thought it must be a sign.... bought it and wanted to start it straight away! Its a nice kit from 1999, my only real complaint looking at the sprue is there is more flash than there really should be and the cowl flaps are not the nicest... and it would have been nice to have a closed option. Here she is in her naked state Untitled by robert mulvey, on Flickr Untitled by robert mulvey, on Flickr Untitled by robert mulvey, on Flickr Untitled by robert mulvey, on Flickr so today I have started with painting the cockpit, it had its base coat detail painting followed by a dry brushing of Sand, and aluminium along with chipping, once all this dried out it got a citadel wash. Untitled by robert mulvey, on Flickr Untitled by robert mulvey, on Flickr Untitled by robert mulvey, on Flickr seat belts are moulded on and hand painted by ones self using a tiny brush of course next was the rather nice engine, this had a coat of mr hobby metal one once dry a good buffing with a big stiff brush Untitled by robert mulvey, on Flickr Untitled by robert mulvey, on Flickr the gear housing(?) was buffed then the dome section painted grey. Untitled by robert mulvey, on Flickr the gear bays were done next and given a base coat of olive green with my own mix of zinc cromate over the top Untitled by robert mulvey, on Flickr Untitled by robert mulvey, on Flickr after that it was back to the cockpit, assembled and then glued into the fuselage Untitled by robert mulvey, on Flickr Untitled by robert mulvey, on Flickr then she got closed up Untitled by robert mulvey, on Flickr Untitled by robert mulvey, on Flickr Untitled by robert mulvey, on Flickr seams will need more work but i will leave them for now. Wings were then added Untitled by robert mulvey, on Flickr Untitled by robert mulvey, on Flickr Untitled by robert mulvey, on Flickr the wing root will get a sand and clean up and i will need to take the flash off the gun barrels next the engine was assembled Untitled by robert mulvey, on Flickr Untitled by robert mulvey, on Flickr the prob shaft is way too long and will need some work when the prop is fitted. after that the cowling was tidied and then added, now if you are building this kit you may find like me that the fit of the cowl round the engine was rather tight and needed a fair bit of force to fit... or at least i hope you do because I did! and here where we are at, now i have to get the kids from school! Untitled by robert mulvey, on Flickr not bad for a few hours work I think! comments welcome Rob

Republic P-47 Thunderbolt detail Set Eduard 1:32 Eduard have recently released their big 1:32 P-47 Thunderbolt, and rather unusually, have also released an etched detail set for it. I would have thought they would have included it in the kit, especially seeing as the kit is so expensive, but there you go. Detail set (32396) Contained on a single large sheet of relief etched brass the set contains parts for both internal and external areas of the model, but mainly external. The only items for the cockpit are for the four piece seat raising and lowering mechanism, for which you’ll have to provide a length of styrene or brass rod, and the foot plates for the rudder pedals. Other internal parts include the internal trunking for the exhausts, the hinge mechanisms for the cooling gills, rocker cover plates and the interior faces of the undercarriage doors. Externally there are new fin boxes for the bombs, along with nose and tail arming vanes, interior pylon fitting, and crutches. The wing drop takes receive the same interior pylon fixture and crutches, whilst the centreline tank is fitted with new a similar fixture, but with attachment hook and crutch plates. The rear fuselage mounted intakes are completely replaced, both internally and externally with brass parts that will need some careful folding and rolling to achieve the correct shape. The rudder trim tab control rod cover and attachment is fitted and a similar arrangement is fitted to the port elevator. The scissor links on the main undercarriage legs are replaced as is the lower outer door along with their respective hinges. Lastly the interior of the flap bays are fitted with a new liner. Conclusion This is very nice set, which although not the most complex will give the kit some useful additional detail. It’s just rather strange that it wasn’t included in the kit. Review sample courtesy of

Bazooka Launchers for P-47 1:32 Brassin Arriving in the cardboard box that are used for the more fragile sets in the Brassin range, this set consists of two complete launchers, four end plates, and four fixing arms. There is also a smallish etched sheet, containing the straps that go round each three tube launcher and a small resin fixture for the straps. Construction is relatively simple, just cut the moulding blocks off the launchers and launcher end sections, for which the modeller has the option of fitting one pair for armed or the other pair for empty launchers. Each of the upright fixtures is then glued to the top attachment points of the launchers. The tubes are then fitted with six straps which go round all three tubes, and a strengthening strap that is fitted between the aft attachment points to one of the binding straps. Conclusion Although Eduard probably expect this set to be used on their new 1:32 P-47, it can obviously be used on any manufacturers kits in this scale. It’s a great set and makes you realise how big these things were. Review sample courtesy of

P-47D Wheels 1:32 Eduard Brassin The wheels are one area of a kit which really do benefit from resin replacement when they are this good. The wheels are individual units with the hubs as separate parts. The solid tail wheel is also included. Conclusion These are really well cast units from Eduard and will enhance you P-47 model. Recommended. Review sample courtesy of

Eduard is to rebox with add ons the Hasegawa's 1/32nd Republic P-47D Thunderbolt kit in 2017?- ref. Source: http://pwm.org.pl/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=78501&sid=2fed11272508b70cc053fe34bdf286c4&start=645 Box art by Romain Hugault. V.P

Does anyone remember the Matchbox P-47 Thunderbolt kit? Here are my two builds of this lovely old kit displaying both of the kits decal options. The bare metal P-47 was built earlier this year as part of the P-47 stgb, while the o/d version was built some time further back. While not the best Thunderbolt available these days it is still a nice kit to build and looks good on the shelf. Sadly the Matchbox Group Build looks like it will miss the boat again this year, but if there is anyone out there that fancies giving a Matchbox kit a go then a few extra votes might just tip the balance.

These are in 1/72. The Bubbletop being a Brazilian machine with aftermarket decals, the Razorback one of the 325th Checkertail Clan using kit decals. For their age, the kits are decent, although lacking in cockpit detail. The Tamiya kit is superior, but the Hasegawa can often be found and swap meets for 5 bucks, in fact that's what dad paid for it about 15 years ago when he bought it for me. It was a 2 in 1 special edition.