Tamiya's 1/48 scale
P-47D Thunderbolt

by Damian Andrus

Tamiya's 1/48 scale P-47D Thunderbolt Bubbletop is available online from Squadron.com

The kit is Tamiya's beautiful 1/48 P-47D Bubbletop built as a P-47D-28-RA, ser. no. 228445 of the 509th FS, 405th FG, 9th AF.

The pilot was Capt. Robert Blackburn who named his a/c "Chow Hound (2nd)", apparently the second of his Chow Hound named a/c. The early markings are depicted. Subsequently the colors of the cowling ring and tail stripes changed on this same a/c later in his tour. Capt. Blackburn, promoted to Major, was an outstanding officer and very well liked within his unit, his death, while strafing an airfield near Warnbel, Germany, was deeply felt. The kit was built as an homage to this fine pilot.

My first attempt at an Alclad finish. Takes a little extra work, but worth the result. All comments welcome.

Aftermarket:

• Ultracast Pilot Seat (with belts)
• Ultracast Wheels & Tires
• CMK Ring Gunsight
• Aeromaster Decals
• Eduard Rear Bomb Fusing Props
• Fundekals P&W logo decal
• HGW Wet Transfer Stencils

Scratch:

• Drop tank plumbing
• Front fuse and props for bombs
• Wiring harness on engine
• IFF under-wing antenna
• Brake lines

Weathering:

• Medium heavy due to the high sortie rate and primitive field condition on the continent at the time.

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Images and Text Copyright © 2016 by Damian Andrus
Page Created 25 October, 2016
Last Updated 26 October, 2016

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