P-47D (Thunderbolts and lightning)
![Album image #1 Album image #1](/albums/img/1/4/7/1409147-36121-88-pristine.jpg)
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.
![Album image #2 Album image #2](/albums/img/1/4/0/1452140-36121-84-720.jpg)
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!…?
![Album image #3 Album image #3](/albums/img/1/4/1/1452141-36121-50-pristine.jpg)
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?
![Album image #4 Album image #4](/albums/img/1/4/2/1452142-36121-87-pristine.jpg)
Noting the gun barrels -are those covers? Or to do with flash suppression? Also noting:…there’s no yellow spinner tips on this side!
![Album image #5 Album image #5](/albums/img/1/4/3/1452143-36121-20-720.jpg)
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?
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Cockpit laid out. Decals for belts and dials. Out of the box.
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Assembled
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Fit is so precise
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I fear most of this will be hidden
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Tamiya are the market leaders here, the moulds have an almost resin-like dimension to them.
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Ready for the closing-up
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As stated, previously. The closed-up. Sublime tolerances on this. Why don’t we allow Tamiya to make every kit in 72nd?…..
![Album image #13 Album image #13](/albums/img/3/0/1/1455301-36121-97-720.jpg)
Kebab-bolt! Ready for the AK Xtreme black base
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Viceless fit which I hope won’t show up on base primer. A little Mr S 500 in places, but nothing dramatic
![Album image #15 Album image #15](/albums/img/0/0/2/1456002-36121-50-720.jpg)
My preferred brand for this job
![Album image #16 Album image #16](/albums/img/0/0/1/1456001-36121-69-720.jpg)
IPA cleaned and dried then a couple of light coats of "Black base".
![Album image #17 Album image #17](/albums/img/0/0/3/1456003-36121-64-720.jpg)
Allowing the full 24/24 to cure before the aluminium
![Album image #18 Album image #18](/albums/img/0/6/5/1456065-36121-60-720.jpg)
Silver ‘bolt (well AK479, aluminium, actually).
![Album image #19 Album image #19](/albums/img/0/6/6/1456066-36121-20-720.jpg)
The finesse of Tamiya’s moulding and the fit isn’t lost on this overcoat.
![Album image #20 Album image #20](/albums/img/9/8/5/1456985-36121-19-720.jpg)
Kokomo’s cowel- I’ve used Tamiya lacquer Olive Drab 2 (the lighter one)
![Album image #21 Album image #21](/albums/img/9/8/6/1456986-36121-88-720.jpg)
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.
![Album image #22 Album image #22](/albums/img/3/2/8/1464328-36121-43-720.jpg)
Cowling takes on mascot
![Album image #23 Album image #23](/albums/img/9/1/5/1472915-36121-49-720.jpg)
All decals went on well, thin and in register.
![Album image #24 Album image #24](/albums/img/9/1/6/1472916-36121-78-720.jpg)
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
![Album image #25 Album image #25](/albums/img/9/1/7/1472917-36121-21-720.jpg)
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.
![Album image #26 Album image #26](/albums/img/9/1/8/1472918-36121-99-720.jpg)
The prop blade has black as a matt outer and then is semi-gloss at the base.
![Album image #27 Album image #27](/albums/img/9/1/9/1472919-36121-20-720.jpg)
Cowel will be attached once I’ve added some smoke/weathering around the fuselage and cowel connection areas
![Album image #28 Album image #28](/albums/img/7/3/3/1488733-36121-30-720.jpg)
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Finals at Mount Farm Air Base, Autumn 1944
Kommentare
54 24 February 2023, 10:59
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Though 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
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Thanks 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
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welcome Robert....I promise not to polish this one....
welcome Franck, and thanks!!
20 April 2023, 09:46
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This heaviest fighter aircraft of WWII is a fascinating aircraft. Good luck with your build!
20 April 2023, 12:38
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Nice 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
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@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
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The 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
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Thanks 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
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Thanks Cuajete, still perfecting the AK Xtreme metallics. But the moulds really pop out under their coverage.
24 April 2023, 20:16
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Thank-you David H and Monte plus others…many!…and a groß vielen dank Bernd!
24 April 2023, 21:44
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Andy,
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
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@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
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Ł: you must be making some good money out of those commissions- a Caribbean cruise? 😉😀
21 May 2023, 11:50
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Another gem in your showcase A, congrats 👍
... Key Largo, Montego ... 😛
10 June 2023, 20:06
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Edward, 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
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You 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
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You're on the Virgin rocket? Wherever you're going hope you have a good time.
14 June 2023, 08:01
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Thx, I'm going to - already booked some kits to pick up on the way 😄
14 June 2023, 08:22