32nd Scale Hasegawa P-47D - Little Bunny

[11bravo]

Just some random pictures of my ongoing build.   Subject is "Little Bunny" based in Italy at the end of the war.   It's got some interesting colors, it was an ex-Brazilian machine and when the US took possession of it, they used fresh Olive Drab to paint out all the Brazillian insignia and unit markings.    Over a very faded and weathered OD base coat, this made for a pretty unique look.

 

Here's the original (I disagree with the conclusion below that the other color is RAF Dark Green):

 

Since Little Bunny was based on a pretty primitive dirt strip and subjected to the harsh Italian summers and winters for over a year, she was definitely showing signs of wear and tear.   I did my best to replicate this.

Cockpit is MDC's amazing resin / PE set. 

 

 

Engine is from True Details, a quick (and cheap) upgrade over the basic kit one.   I didn't spend any time painting / detailing aft of the first bank of cylinders, nothing would be visible.

 

Wheel bays are typically the filthiest part of an aircraft.   I added all the hydraulic lines and then a bunch of grime.

 

Painting starts:

 

I added the brake lines to the LG legs and Barracuda's fantastic resin wheels.   I also added the hydraulic lines to the inner gear doors, along with the characteristic soot from the nearby exhaust stack. 

 

Much more to come, especially on the weathering side.  These aircraft were filthy.   

 

John  

[11bravo]

Next set of pictures.    Weathering continues, especially on the underside.    I used a mix of oil washes, Florey Washes (great stuff BTW), a silver artists pencil and pastels.   I tried to accurately replicate the 1,000 lb bombs.  Nothing more amusing than a hard working combat vet from WW2 with immaculate bombs.   Most bombs were simply dumped into the dirt / mud at massive "bomb dumps" before getting assembled and mounted on the aircraft. 

 

Only part of the bombs that were typically immaculate were the tailfins which were stored separately. 

 

Just need to add the arming wires. 

 

75 gal drop tank is from the Tamiya Mustang kit. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sturmovik]

Neat looking Thunderbolt. 

[Josep]

Very good work!!

I like the weathering...! very realistic.👏👏

[11bravo]

Added a 75 gal centerline tank from the Tamiya Mustang kit.   Added a bunch of cables and bits to try to replicate the emergency jettison system on the canopy.   Touched up the weathering, added some additional small bits.   Getting there lads!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for looking.