Republic P-47D “8th Air Force Thunderbolts” decals

[Paul A H]

Republic P-47D “8th Air Force Thunderbolts” decals

1:72 LPS Hobby

Hot on the heels of their new decal sets for the Messerschmitt Bf110, LPS Hobby are releasing a selection of decal sets for the Republic P-47D Thunderbolt. This particular set contains decals and painting guides for three Thunderbolts of the 8th Air Force:

• P-47D-5-RE s/n 42-8545 369th Fighter Squadron, 359th Fighter Group, flown by Lt. Lawrence Bouchard, East Wretham, England, June 1944. This aircraft is finished in Olive Drab and Neutral Gray;

• P-47D-15-RE s/n 42-75855 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron, Boxted, England, June 1944, also finished in Olive Drab and Neutral Gray;

• P-47D-25-RE s/n 42-26535 82nd Fighter Squadron, 78th Fighter Group, flown by Captain Richard Lewitt, Duxford, England, July 1944. Interestingly, this aircraft is finished in RAF colours – Dark Green and Sky.

The decals themselves are nicely printed. Colours are good, printing is nice and crisp and they look thin and glossy. In common with other LPS Hobby sets a comprehensive set of stencils is included. The decals are designed for the Tamiya kit, although this is probably only relevant if you intend to build your model as 42-26535 with its chequerboard engine cowling.

Conclusion

This is another nice set of decals from LPS Hobby and as usual they have picked three interesting schemes. They have another set on the way for RAF Thunderbolts, which looks very interesting indeed.

Review sample courtesy of