P-47D Thunderbolt Razorback
The aircraft itself doesn't need to be introduced in very detail. Big radial engine, 8 guns, superb speed and thoughness, this is the real workhorse designed to deal with heavy damage and spread a panic inside the enemy's formation... Unlike the pilots, I personally prefer the Razorback version before the bubble as the more attractive one.
This excellent Tamiya kit in 1:72 scale was real fun to build. As all worries from getting parts together were away, I could focus my attention to final painting and weathering. I decided to use salt method to show a light wear of the surface. I also tried new method to get dirty cowling and fuselage as it can be found in many photos of almost all wardbirds. I simply used tamiya weathering set - black powder and my finger to make streaks (the surface was coated with lacquer before).
To improve the kit I just changed plastic guns to injection needles and plastic pitot tube also to injection needles made from two different diameters.
8 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Craig Abrahamson said on October 11, 2014
An excellent rendition, Martin...I thought for sure it was a 48th scale kit when first I saw the photos (which are very good, by the way). I agree with your two opinions as well - I, too, prefer the razorback version from an aesthetic viewpoint and being a Tamiya kit - well...you can't go wrong there, either.
Stellar workmanship in your detailing effort(s), sir. Beautiful job indeed.
Rob Pollock said on October 11, 2014
This kit in 1/72 is difficult to catch in detail. Nice work here.
Rick Wilkes said on October 11, 2014
Beautiful Thunderbolt Martin, great finish, I think you got the panel lines and weathering just right. I've always loved the raw brute power of the Razorback but I must admit that for me, the Bubbletop P-47 is the most beautiful U.S. fighter of the war.
Simon Whitney said on October 11, 2014
You caught the Jug rather well in this scale Martin.
Well done sir.
Morne Meyer said on October 11, 2014
Your P-47 rocks! Well done! The Razorback is also my firm favourite!
K. J. Bricknell said on October 11, 2014
Sterling effort, Martin. It's hard to believe that it's 1/72. Like Craig, I agree with you that the razorback is the more interesting looking variant, although not the best for checking six o'clock of course 😉
Bernd Müller said on October 11, 2014
An almost perfect presentation of a truly great WWII fighter.The 1/72 scale
is not too easy to archive this ! A bubbletop would be very nice from you too.
Korolev Vlad said on October 12, 2014
Great work, Martin!
Best regards, Vlad.
Paul van Acker said on October 12, 2014
Very nice. Great job.
Paul Mahoney said on October 12, 2014
Great job Martin. Like Craig, I thought for sure this was 1/48 before reading your text. Very well done paint job, and I like the bazooka tubes! I can only hope I can do the same justice on a 1/48 razorback at some point.
Rapid27 said on October 12, 2014
Very nice job on this Thund, bravo
Eric
Magnus Fridsell said on October 12, 2014
I am 1/72-only (well, almost...) and I know a masterpiece when I see it: that's one absolutely great Thunderbolt! I like every aspect of it : weathering and how it conveys that detailed look that I always strive for, paintwork and choice of markings. Complimenting on the build is borderline to an insult considering the quality of the kit :-)!
Regards Magnus
Ralph Clements said on October 12, 2014
Yes what a superb rendering of this classic; grasping that you did it in 1/72 scale is difficult for me - TERRIFIC and congratlation!
Ulrich Schütt said on October 12, 2014
Very nice job, on such a small scale! NICE!
Best regards;
Ulrich
Jim Sullivan said on October 12, 2014
Hello Martin...I want to echo what's been said about your 1/72nd Razorback Thunderbolt build...Very nicely done...one of the best I've seen in that smaller scale. Absolutely beautiful.
George Williams said on October 12, 2014
I'm not sure which version of this aircraft that I prefer, but this one really looks the business, especially so in 1/72.
Martin Dytrych said on October 13, 2014
Thank you all! 🙂 I am starting new kit, which I look forward to more than one year - Warburton's Martin Maryland model 167. I am really hungry for its heavy wear outlook and finally thanks to AK Interactive I have also the tool to do it properly.
Milan D. said on October 13, 2014
1/72? Wow!
Gregor d said on October 13, 2014
Very nice! Excellent finish, and tastefully weathered.
Frank Cronin said on February 25, 2015
Martin,
Boated praise on your work ith his model.