1/72 Academy P47D Razorback 

1/72 Hasegawa P47D Bubble Top

by Eric Bade

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    Bastille Day 2005 

 

Introduction 

Both these kits were started a few months before the release of the little Tamiya wonders. No discussing here, Tamiya did a wonderful job on their Thunderbolts and they outdate older kits.

Still, with some work the Academy and Hasegawa models of the P47D can be built as nice models. 

Construction 

Both kits are quite similar in construction. Once again, it seems that the Academy engineers derived their Thunderbolts (Razorback and Bubble Top) from the older Hasegawa mouldings, revamping panel lines (although already recessed on the original Hasegawa kits) and adding details (cockpit and wheel wells come to mind). 

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In spite of the improved details on the Academy model, I altered virtually the same parts on both projects:

  • Both my models received a resin cockpit. Academy's cockpit could have been used but the Hasegawa parts are completely unacceptable

  • Engines were detailed using stretched plastic sprue

  • Identification lights were built into wing tip

  • Replacing gun tubes on wing leading edge, one reason being that the best way to reproduce tubes is using ... tubes. The other reason is that gun tubes position needed to be modified on both kits to the correct parallel to ground arrangement as on actual P47s.

  • Shortening and detailing of main wheel gears  

The Hasegawa Bubble Top received a special treatment in the form of resin wheel wells. Hasegawa just left bare holes on their kit there. This is totally out of current standards. Although beautifully cast, the resin wheel wells were a pain to install - a lot of wing thinning, plastic scratching and sanding was needed. Nonetheless the end result is well worth it.  

The Academy Razorback further benefited from Revell parts : the tail wheel arrangement complete with doors and main wheels are of Revell origin. This is because I changed my mind about Revell Thunderbolts after seeing one built : they are wonderfully engineered but I dislike their fuselages, which I believe are too deep and too narrow.

Painting and decaling 

Bubble Top : Xtracolor or Humbrol silver using different hues to give a panelling effect. Engine lip and tail band are painted red. Decals come from a Superscale sheet.  

Razorback : I used the beautiful Aztec Pin up decal sheet. When I received it I found it was so beautiful that I felt the urge to use it on a model. I simply don’t know how they manage to produce these tiny nose arts but that’s virtually photography. This model was painted with Gunze acrylic paints overall. I first painted the blue engine lip, then my white bands over stabilators and fin. Then these paints patches were masked over and full US Olive drab and medium grey camo was painted. I added a degree of weathering using altered (either darkened or lightened) versions of the basic colours in spots over the airframe.

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I was very satisfied with both my models. With work, these now outdated kits can be turned into nice replicas. Now, considering the cost of extra parts and work I am not that sure that I will ever build the two Academy and two Hasegawa models that I still have in boxes. It might well be time for me to turn to my recently acquired Tamiya models. 

Eric

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Photos and text © by Eric Bade