1/48 Tamiya P-47D Thunderbolt "Razorback"

Gallery Article by Burt Gustafson on June 1 2009

 

For Your viewing pleasure, here are some photos of my Tamiya 1/48 scale P-47D Thunderbolt "Razorback.  Many sub-types of the P-47D, designated D-1 to D-40 were produced, but the first versions were called "Razorbacks", because of their sharp-edge dorsal fin running from the canopy to the upper fuselage. 

The P-47D was first used as a fighter to escort B-17 and B-24 bombers as far as the western part of Germany.  After the introduction of the P-51D in late 1944, the P-47 became the classic Close Air Support (CAS) aircraft because of its toughness and its 1-ton payload capacity. 

The model here depicts the aircraft "Little Chief", flown by Lt. Frank Kilbbe, 56th FG, 61st FS, Halesworth, UK, March 1944.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

  

About the Kit: This kit was another kit from Tamiya that went together perfectly with no fit problems, it went together like a dream.  I airbrushed the model using Model Master and Floquil enamel paints.  After painting, a coat of Future, then a pin-wash to enhance the panel lines. 

Decals were excellent, printed well, easily placed, and snugged down nicely with the help of some decal setting solution.  I finished off the model with a combination of MM Semi Gloss and Flat Clear Laquer Finnish.

This kit was the best engineered kit I have built in awhile. The kit was a bit more expensive than other examples of this aircraft, but I think it was well worth the extra coin. It was a pleasure to build--enjoy the photos.

Burt Gustafson

Photos and text © by Burt Gustafson