1/48 Tamiya P-47D Free French 1945
Tamiya kit with the usual ultracast seat and wheels.
Decals are from Berna Decals and roundels from the spares box.
Something different and eye catching compared to the usual P-47 fare...
Happy Modelling
Darren
Running out of superlatives for your work Darren. Keep them coming!
Very nice.
Like David stated, Darren...how do I compliment thee - let me count the ways. 🙂
Again, The Best P-47 kits. Love the french scheme. Dont see these everyday.
Another great job with a P-47. Like me so much. And yes, it's different than usual
Masterclass work on one of my favorite WW II airplanes! The NMF looks amazing!
Ahh - that's what I was expecting from you - another T-bolt! And again, excellent work. Very nice in the French roundels - I didn't realize the French every flew them - post war?
Actually - I see the post title, so assume the French got them right at the end...
The French Air Force received 446 P-47Ds from 1943. These aircraft saw extensive action in France and Germany and again in the 1950s during the Algerian War of Independence.
In March of 1944, the USAAF began providing Hurricane-equipped units of the Free French air force based in North Africa with P-47Ds. By may of 1944 the 4eme Escdre de Chasse was established in Corsica with two Groupes de Chasse. A third Groupe de Chasse was added soon thereafter. These units subsequently moved to southern France and participated in support of US and French units all the way into Germany. A second Escadre was formed late in 1944 and went into action In the last months of the war.
446 Thunderbolts were delivered to the Free French air force based in North Africa. They equipped the following units:
• Groupe de Chasse II/6 Travail
• Groupe de Chasse II/5 Lafayette,
• Groupe de Chasse II/3 Dauphine,
• Groupe de Chasse I/4 Navarre
• Groupe de Chasse I/5 Champagne
• Groupe de Chasse III/3 Ardennes
• Groupe de Chasse II/6 Roussillon.
The Groupes de Chasse all bore the name of a French colony or province.
French use of the Thunderbolt continued on for several years after the end of the war in Europe. GC II/3 and GC II/5 were redesignated GC I/4 and GC II/4 in July of 1947. They remained as part of the occupation forces in Germany until late 1949. Also in July of 1947 GC I/4 and GC I/5 were redesignated as GC I/3 and GC II/3.
Beauty, Darren! Great looking P-47.
Love it...right up my alley. Great job Darren. How did you find the Berna decals?
Hi George
The Berna decals required some work to settle, hot towel (run under hot water) and lots of decal softener was used...