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Tolga ULGUR
192 articles

1/48 Tamiya P-47D15 Thunderbolt

December 23, 2012 · in Aviation · · 11 · 3.8K

This is P-47D15 with the markings of 404th Fighter group, 9th US Air Force in England during June 1944.

This project is to bring back memories of my childhood days (maybe the happiest days of our lives) in the 70s. This coded 4K-B was one of my first aircraft models built by using vintage 1/72 Matchbox kit in the mid-70s. The box art of Matchbox kit looks like still very warm and attractive for me. Is it a kind of Nostalgia?

Before starting to Tamiya kit I bought a vintage Matchbox kit issued in the 70s and used it as reference on my project. The cockpit modified by Eduard PE instrument panel, seat belts and Tally Ho gunsight. Covered diamond tread wheels are from Ultracast.

Happy modelling.

Reader reactions:
3  Awesome

15 additional images. Click to enlarge.


11 responses

  1. Nice razorback, Tolga. Good work making OG/NG interesting.

  2. I have similar recollections, back in the 70's that Matchbox P-47 box art was just awesome. The Airfix and Matchbox boxes of the period haven't been surpassed even today (sans a few notable examples form the likes of Hasegawa). Back then they were simply setting the standard for decades. It is encouraging to see that the "new" Airfix is doing fine in this area.

    You have made a great Jug which does justice to the best of our memories! Thx for sharing.

  3. Beautiful work Tolga! And I have to agree on the artwork form the 70's, one of my favourites is still The Airfix 1:72 Spitfire Mk1 box-art...makes me feel all warm inside ha ha! 😀

  4. Stunning Jug, Tolga...stellar workmanship. The epitome of Thunderbolts IMO. Brilliant photos as well. Thanks for sharing your talent(s).

  5. That's one realistic looking Jug, Tolga. Your choice of colors, paintwork, and light weathering look spot on. I appreciate the little touches like the gun barrels and data placards on the landing gear legs. Very nice!

    Although some of today's box art may look tighter and more detailed in technical terms, I find alot of it lacks the drama and energy portrayed in the 60's and 70's box art. I particularly liked the 1/72nd Revell box art from those years. Today, I find the dogfight box art on many of the Wingnut Wings kits very appealing and reminiscent of the old Revell stuff.

  6. Beautiful work, with a very realistic result. TC likes it!

  7. The Art work of many kits in the 60's and 70's helped greased the wheels for many a youngster to plunk down some change and buy the plastic. It fired the imagination and helped some young hands make that leap of faith in believing that they could do no wrong in creating a exact replica. I still prefer to buy kits with art work and built up model on the side of the box.

    This kit demonstrates on why its so hard to find these Tamiya P-47 at my LHS. They don't spend a lot of time on the shelf now do they. The get snapped up ...

  8. That is a beautiful Jug. You did and excellent job with the subtle variation of color within the OD surface. The overall effect is very nice. I love those Tamiya P-47's they really are incredible kits. You don't have to fight the build which lets you get to the fun of the painting and weathering sooner.

  9. That's an excellent rendition of the P-47, and great pics too.
    Like you I have vivid memories of the Matchbox Thunderbolt boxart, which was my inspiration when I built the Tamiya Razorback as soon it was first released back in 2003 (almost 10 years ago already!).
    Thanks for sharing and thanks for the memories.

  10. Wow! What a realistic model Tolga! You've done a beautiful job on it. Great attention to detail throughout too.
    Gary

  11. said on May 21, 2013

    Tolga .. another fantastic build, by you .. LOVE the belly photos, to show your attention to detail, as Gary said; VERY realistic, as Gary and Tom said; the photos ARE brilliant, as Anders and Craig said .. THIS model IS so realistic it appears to have just come form the factory ...it looks like the final product WOULD have taken years to accomplish ! WELL DONE !

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