P-47D (Thunderbolts and lightning)
Maj.Gen Kepner. It will be his mount modelled. Real top brass guy. Survived the war, and actually flew some combat missions- so I assume he was a real leader.
Some more references -better clarity
Her name is Kokomo.
Unlike Rio, she doesn’t dance on the sands!…?
Her name is Kokomo.
Unlike Rio, she doesn’t dance on the sands!…?
Close up of nose art - note the yellow spinner paint has come away? Looks like an aiming bead in front of canopy- a job for ‘E’ guitar string implant, also the contrast on the spinner hub- looks like a covering over the metal?
Noting the gun barrels -are those covers? Or to do with flash suppression? Also noting:…there’s no yellow spinner tips on this side!
Good sideways view. This seems to suggest a rear-view mirror, which the kit says not to attach..., and DDay invasion stripes on the underside of wings…perhaps these were removed later?
Cockpit laid out. Decals for belts and dials. Out of the box.
Assembled
Fit is so precise
I fear most of this will be hidden
Tamiya are the market leaders here, the moulds have an almost resin-like dimension to them.
Ready for the closing-up
As stated, previously. The closed-up. Sublime tolerances on this. Why don’t we allow Tamiya to make every kit in 72nd?…..
Kebab-bolt! Ready for the AK Xtreme black base
Viceless fit which I hope won’t show up on base primer. A little Mr S 500 in places, but nothing dramatic
My preferred brand for this job
IPA cleaned and dried then a couple of light coats of "Black base".
Allowing the full 24/24 to cure before the aluminium
Silver ‘bolt (well AK479, aluminium, actually).
The finesse of Tamiya’s moulding and the fit isn’t lost on this overcoat.
Kokomo’s cowel- I’ve used Tamiya lacquer Olive Drab 2 (the lighter one)
Topped off with Olive drab 2- the one they tell you to use around the edges of USAAF wings with the darker one. A little touch up required on a few small places. AK X isn’t always totally robust when it comes to kabuki tape.
Cowling takes on mascot
All decals went on well, thin and in register.
I have added numerous coats of Tamiya’s lacquer flat varnish which doesn’t seem to be reducing the glare. But I’ll keep going until I get the effect I’m looking for
I will need to apply a little more matt varnish to the underside- I am trying to dull the high sheen of the aluminium to that of the reference photos.
The prop blade has black as a matt outer and then is semi-gloss at the base.
Cowel will be attached once I’ve added some smoke/weathering around the fuselage and cowel connection areas
Finals at Mount Farm Air Base, Autumn 1944
Коментари
54 24 February 2023, 10:59
Maciej BellosThough I don't have a kit of the beast, I like seeing it built. I also helped a friend of mine build his desired Thunderbolt by printing his custom decals.
24 February 2023, 12:59
Andy BallThanks Maciej, I'd love to know how you print decals....it's one of those distant projects I have in mind. This project is queued, perhaps will get done this year?
@Pietro: thanks for taking a look.
24 February 2023, 15:10
Andy Ballwelcome Robert....I promise not to polish this one....
welcome Franck, and thanks!!
20 April 2023, 09:46
bughunterThis heaviest fighter aircraft of WWII is a fascinating aircraft. Good luck with your build!
20 April 2023, 12:38
Neil PatrickNice choice Andy. Your stash and mine have a lot of matches. Only difference is mine ain't getting reduced very fast! Looking forward to seeing this nonetheless!
20 April 2023, 15:56
Andy Ball@Slavo: it is my proper office with a lap top and everything…..😉
@ bughunter in plastic it's surprisingly light, probably lighter than the 1970s moulds 😂
@ Neil…"fools seldom differ?…." I have to keep nudging you out of 76th armour into a certain 72nd Typhoon?!!!….
@"Calling Mr Cuajete….gate P47 closing soon"….glad you made it!!!
20 April 2023, 20:01
Neil PatrickThe Typhoon just got sidelined again Andy. My current project has gone up in scale though. From 1/76 to 1/72... 😉
Your 'pit looks fantastic BTW!
23 April 2023, 23:36
Andy BallThanks Mark K for taking a look.
@Neil: the war will be over in Europe before Tiffie's finished 😉, I admire your ambition in the movement from 76 to 72nd without a safety net!! Thanks for the comment!
24 April 2023, 06:54
Andy BallThanks Cuajete, still perfecting the AK Xtreme metallics. But the moulds really pop out under their coverage.
24 April 2023, 20:16
Andy BallThank-you David H and Monte plus others…many!…and a groß vielen dank Bernd!
24 April 2023, 21:44
Pietro De AngelisAndy,
admiring your works is a feast for the eyes,
if you play the guitar as you do modeling lucky who listens to you,
congrats!
5 May 2023, 18:41
Andy Ball@Cuajete, no it's a two-piece decal from the kit, Tamiya do that process of a white under-decal to give some depth to the detail.
@Pietro: that is a very gracious comment, I think my modelling skills are ahead of my guitar playing- I practice the former more than the latter!
8 May 2023, 11:50
Andy BallŁ: you must be making some good money out of those commissions- a Caribbean cruise? 😉😀
21 May 2023, 11:50
Łukasz GlińskiAnother gem in your showcase A, congrats 👍
... Key Largo, Montego ... 😛
10 June 2023, 20:06
Andy BallEdward, thanks for cheering me over the line!
Guy- very very frightening, but jug's got the spark for certain
Cuajete: yes, I take your hint… I'm needing to do some better displays-any advice welcome!
Ł: I can tell you're back from your holidays!, Kokomo sends her regards!
Robert- your words always are motivational, as is your work!
13 June 2023, 22:16
Łukasz GlińskiYou can't be more mistaken A. 😄 Scheduled time of departure is this Saturday and the heading is definitely north-west 😛
It's the countdown time, you know 😉
14 June 2023, 07:34
Andy BallYou're on the Virgin rocket? Wherever you're going hope you have a good time.
14 June 2023, 08:01
Łukasz GlińskiThx, I'm going to - already booked some kits to pick up on the way 😄
14 June 2023, 08:22
