Republic Aviation's P-47 Thunderbolt, also known as the "Jug", was
the largest, heaviest, and most expensive fighter aircraft in history to
be powered by a single reciprocating engine. It was one of the main
United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) fighters of World War II, and
served with other Allied air forces. The P-47 was very effective in air
combat but proved especially adept at ground attack. It had eight
.50-caliber machine guns, four per wing. When fully loaded the P-47
could weigh up to eight tons. A modern-day counterpart in that role, the
A-10 Thunderbolt II, takes its name from the P-47.
I
needed another break from the last P-47D. So another P-47D would cure
that empty space on the workbench. lol. Tamiya's Jug is just about one
of the best fitting kits in 1/48th. No fit issues so far. I started with
the power-plant, the Pratt & Whitney R-2800 painted in Alclad II
Aluminum with details painted with Vallejo paints as well a acrylic
wash. The ignition harness wires are .010 and .015 lead wire painted
black, lastly I fitted a Pratt & Whitney photo-etch logo on the
bottom of the case.
The cockpit was like any other
project, primed with Mr. Surfacer 1200 thinned with lacquer thinner and
leveling thinner for a smooth surface. Gunze field green was followed up
with Vallejo paints and bits n' pieces of Eduard photo etch from past
Jug projects. I decided to wire up the back of the instrument panel with
lead wire, not knowing it would be unseen by the glare-shield armored
panel. lol. two hours of drilling and screaming for something that will
never been seen. At least I know what's 'under the hood'.
The
kit come with several options for gun-sights; the Mark VII Illuminated
sight was enhanced with a Eduard sight and glass projector masked with
liquid tape for spraying. The pilots seat was further enhanced with
Eduard PE belts and given a pin wash of a mix of AK interactive enamel
wash.
Next, sleep, cockpit dry-fit and fuselage joining...
