Republic P-47D Thunderbolt
![Album image #1 Album image #1](/albums/img/6/2/3/183623-16684-81-720.jpg)
The kit comes with a nicely detailed resin cockpit.
![Album image #2 Album image #2](/albums/img/6/2/4/183624-16684-48-720.jpg)
Test Installation of the cockpit will hopefully save some aspirin later on.
![Album image #3 Album image #3](/albums/img/6/8/9/186689-16684-80-720.jpg)
There is a big difference between the kits oil cooler control door and Eduard’s replacements.
![Album image #4 Album image #4](/albums/img/9/9/2/186992-16684-59-720.jpg)
A simple but very effective improvement of the intercooler door.
![Album image #5 Album image #5](/albums/img/2/0/8/187208-16684-60-720.jpg)
Base coat consisting of a mixture of Tamiya green/yellow acrylics applied to the cockpit.
![Album image #6 Album image #6](/albums/img/4/1/7/187417-16684-97-720.jpg)
A subtle dark overall wash and black details painted.
![Album image #7 Album image #7](/albums/img/3/5/6/188356-16684-61-720.jpg)
Almost done.
![Album image #8 Album image #8](/albums/img/5/3/7/189537-16684-57-720.jpg)
The finished cockpit.
![Album image #9 Album image #9](/albums/img/5/3/8/189538-16684-16-720.jpg)
![Album image #10 Album image #10](/albums/img/5/3/9/189539-16684-81-720.jpg)
![Album image #11 Album image #11](/albums/img/0/9/0/190090-16684-40-720.jpg)
During the assembly of the canopy track I realised I needed some better tools for handling etched parts. Now a photo etched bender tool from RP Toolz and a couple of tweezers from Adam Wilder is ordered.
![Album image #12 Album image #12](/albums/img/6/1/1/190611-16684-68-720.jpg)
Where there is hard to reach with any sanding tool I prefer to use a piece of plastic sheet or strip instead of putty. Saves a lot of time and Aspirin.
![Album image #13 Album image #13](/albums/img/9/1/5/190915-16684-55-720.jpg)
It's beginning to resemble a P-47 Thunderbolt...
![Album image #14 Album image #14](/albums/img/9/1/6/190916-16684-29-720.jpg)
![Album image #15 Album image #15](/albums/img/8/0/0/191800-16684-57-720.jpg)
The engine ready for paint.
![Album image #16 Album image #16](/albums/img/4/4/2/193442-16684-90-720.jpg)
Engine and propeller painted and weathered. The prop needs a coat of matt varnish to be completed.
![Album image #17 Album image #17](/albums/img/1/7/4/194174-16684-77-720.jpg)
Almost ready for the paint booth.
![Album image #18 Album image #18](/albums/img/1/7/5/194175-16684-47-720.jpg)
![Album image #19 Album image #19](/albums/img/3/4/1/195341-16684-35-720.jpg)
Back from the paint booth.
![Album image #20 Album image #20](/albums/img/6/4/4/196644-16684-90-720.jpg)
All decals in place.
![Album image #21 Album image #21](/albums/img/6/4/5/196645-16684-98-720.jpg)
Next step is a subtle overall oil paint wash.
![Album image #22 Album image #22](/albums/img/5/5/7/198557-16684-15-720.jpg)
Raw umber oil wash done.
![Album image #23 Album image #23](/albums/img/4/3/9/199439-16684-97-720.jpg)
Ready for a couple of coats of varnish.
![Album image #24 Album image #24](/albums/img/4/4/0/199440-16684-87-720.jpg)
![Album image #25 Album image #25](/albums/img/2/4/3/200243-16684-87-720.jpg)
![Album image #26 Album image #26](/albums/img/2/3/7/200237-16684-67-720.jpg)
Finished
![Album image #27 Album image #27](/albums/img/2/3/8/200238-16684-14-720.jpg)
![Album image #28 Album image #28](/albums/img/2/3/9/200239-16684-40-720.jpg)
![Album image #29 Album image #29](/albums/img/2/4/0/200240-16684-29-720.jpg)
![Album image #30 Album image #30](/albums/img/2/4/1/200241-16684-30-720.jpg)
![Album image #31 Album image #31](/albums/img/2/4/2/200242-16684-36-720.jpg)
Comments
30 May 2015, 19:13
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Thanks Carlos. Yes, the Academy kit is nice (I built the N version back in the late nineties) and the Eduard addition makes it great. I'm having a blast so far 🙂
16 June 2015, 19:12
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Thanks Guido. I have a Tamiya Razorback and another Eduard Jug waiting in my stash but I'll probably squeeze in a Spitfire or two in between 🙂
16 June 2015, 19:31
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Nice work... I have the Jugs over Germany kit on the bench... Need to finish deacaling 🙂
Do not forget to drill the holes for the pylons under the wing 😉
19 June 2015, 21:32
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Thanks.
And thank you Christian for reminding me about the holes for the pylons, I had totally forgotten about it.
20 June 2015, 08:30
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Thanks a lot fellas.
Kerry, I haven't seen it but I will most definitely do it. Thanks a lot for sharing this interesting video.
26 June 2015, 04:45
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You have done a great job on all you have touched here, well done Mats. 🙂 👍
3 July 2015, 22:34
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Ist time for warm up the engine! I'm watching for final result Mats.
15 July 2015, 20:17
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Mats, a question: What do use as an adhesive applicator for affixing the little PE bits?
16 July 2015, 03:13
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Thanks you fellas.
Leif, I normally use a thicker cyanoacrylate glue (it is like a gel) and I applicate the glue with a needle or a sharpened toothpick. Another advantage with the thicker glue is that it has quite long drying time (10-25 sec) so there is a bit of a time frame to correct the placement of the part (unless it accidently sticks to your finger; if so the drying time for the glue is 0,0001 sec…).
16 July 2015, 08:56
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The engine doesn't seem to be large enough to spin a prop that size, or am I imagining that ?
23 July 2015, 22:10
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The engine in your model looks smaller than it should, and have a look at these images and you will understand my statement.
google.com.au/url?sa..ust=1437781816777070
23 July 2015, 23:47
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Thanks fellas.
This Academy kit has been around since the mid-nineties and is far from perfect but once everything is in place it will look like a Thunderbolt 🙂
24 July 2015, 08:25
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Matts, My mentioning of the engine size was by no means a criticism of your build and I failed to mentioned the build and detailing. Sorry mate. 🙂
It is obvious, now I have come back for an other look, that you have put a lot of energy and research into it and the results are in and the work you have done is tribute to your skills. 🙂.
25 July 2015, 21:58
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Thanks guys, much appreciated.
Kerry, no worries mate 🙂
The bubbletops were designated P-47D, M, and N. The P-47 Wikipedia page is a good starting point for anyone that wants to read more about 'The Jug'.
en.wikipedia.org/wik..lic_P-47_Thunderbolt
26 July 2015, 08:39
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Thanks guys. Next step is a couple of coats of clear varnish and then it is time for my favourite part; decals 🙂
30 July 2015, 19:04
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Awsome job mate i love these old girls not so much the razorbacks, the bubbeltops just look the part just like this model
4 August 2015, 10:50
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The 360 degree canopy was introducted on the XP-47K however that and other improvement of the prototype were introduced into product as a block change to the D series at blk 25 Farmingdale.
4 August 2015, 10:59
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Hi Mats,
wonderful result, so far!👍 Good that you recognized that the stick was wrongly installed on pic 1! LOL😉😄
4 August 2015, 11:38
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Thanks fellas.
Holger, I didn't realise that the control stick was in the wrong direction in photo 1 until now. Good thing that I was more careful when I actually glued it in place 🙂
4 August 2015, 17:34
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Thank you Bernd. As you say, the Academy Thunderbolt is a nice kit but the extra stuff that Eduard added in this boxing makes it great.
6 August 2015, 17:28
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Impressive P-47 Mats. Photography is also very good. Nice sparkling pictures 👍
8 August 2015, 19:44
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Thanks guys.
The colours I used are all Gunze acrylics; H53 Neutral grey on the underside, H52 Olive drab on the upper surface, and H13 Red on the cowling. Normally I would have painted the yellow stripes as well but I couldn't mix a good match to the number decal on the tail so I used the decal stripes.
8 August 2015, 20:42
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Awesome work with all those etched parts, the result looks great!
14 August 2015, 19:10
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Thank you all for your kind words.
James, I don't think you will regret this purchase. This kit has been a joy to build so far 🙂
15 August 2015, 19:01
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Excellent modulated olive drab paintjob Mats, looks superb already !
17 August 2015, 18:48
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Thank you all. I'm really flattered by all the kind and positive feedback.
I've spent some 80-odd hours (which probably are an average for me to finish a kit nowadays) on this Thunderbolt and I have enjoyed every second. Now it is time to figure out what to build next 🙂
24 August 2015, 17:20
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Mats, looks like the thing could use air brakes. It looks really fast just sitting there🙂
25 August 2015, 03:28
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Thanks guys.
I'll definitely follow the B-1 and He-219 builds but the next one for me will be a Marinefliegergeschwader Starfighter 🙂
25 August 2015, 18:30
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Congrats for this very realistic finish! Crystal clear bubble canopy: do you have use Future, or polish wax or similar, Mats?
P.S. Intend you still to flatten the tyres? The most Jugs was really heavy🙂
[img1]
25 August 2015, 19:51
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the guy in the yellow T shirt has balancing skills on top of that rudder😉
25 August 2015, 20:04
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I'm very curious what the " 'ke " means when you spell my name thus - "Chopp'ke" ?
not that I am offended or anything but it is a curiously consistent mis-spelling you use,
is it a Belgium term of endearment I wonder, who knows..... well, you might 🙂
26 August 2015, 01:13
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ah come on Cliff, you've started that thought and now you must finish it ! 😄
especially now that I am curious as to what you might be thinking and fear not, I have a decent enough sense of humour about myself😉
26 August 2015, 03:04
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Thanks Bernhard. I normally polish the canopy with Alclad micromesh polishing cloth up to 12000 grade and then put it in a cup of Klear/Future so it is completely covered. Take it out and let it dry and hopefully you have a crystal clear canopy. This one did not require any polishing so it has only been treated with Klear/Future. This treatment also prevents the plastic from whitening if superglue is used on the canopy.
I probably won't flatten the tires unless I put it in a diorama or other scenery but then I think I'll replace the wheel completely; I want that bulge in the wheel as well. It is quite easy to achieve that effect with plastic wheels but a bit trickier with resin wheels. Anyway, for now I stick with the ones that are on 🙂
26 August 2015, 17:41