1/48 Thunderbolt Mk. II
This is the old Monogram kit. Originally released in 1967, I built this one from a 1993 reissue. I robbed the big Lockheed wing tanks from a Tamiya kit, and relocated one bomb to the centerline station. The big fuel tanks are a common sight on photos of SEAC Thunderbolts. Eduard belts and PE foot pedals dressed up the cockpit. Camouflage paints are from Xtracolor, everything else is Humbrol enamels. I cobbled together the decals for a 258 Squadron machine from my decal dungeon. This is the second Monogram P-47 that I built this month. It's still a viable option in my opinion and plan to acquire a few more when I see them in the stacks at show swap meets. I included a photo of the Bolt with my Indian AF Spitfire to show just how big a Thunderbolt is. Stay safe.
11 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Nice T-Bolt John! I always love he SEAC schemes.
Thanks, Greg.
As a Thunderbolt lover it is always nice to see one, and I am especially fond of those old Monogram kits. So many pleasurable hours of modeling provided by them to me as a kid growing up. Nice work, and the last picture with the Spitfire does an excellent job of showing you what a massive plane it really was.
Thanks, Walt. I had a blast with these two P-47s. The last Thunderbolts that I built were a Monogram Bubbletop that I got for my birthday in January, 1973 and a Razorback in 1977.
That's an impressively built Jug, John!
All the best and stay safe my friend!
Thanks, Spiros! Likewise.
Awesome build, you've done the kit justice.. I have an original boxing of this same plane, sitting and waiting at the back of my work bench. It's only stalled out for paint and decal selection, as a matter of fact... Fine selection you were able to cobble together!
Thanks, Andrew. The SEAC is one of my major interest areas and I have a lot of decals for these types.
Nice SEAC Thunderbolt, John. This is one of the schemes I am considering for my next 32nd kit. I like the way you have done the slightly feathered camo and the sun-faded look appropriate to the theater. Nice, restrained chipping too.
i enjoy seeing the older Monogram kits built up. Your P-47 still looks good compared with "Tamigawa" versions. I have several Revell Monogram multi-engine bombers in my stash which I am inspired to do now.
Thanks, Colin. Monogram’s P-47s match up with the Tamiya kits pretty well as far as shape goes. Monogram’s cowls are a little narrower.
Nice Jug John @j-healy, who doesn't like jugs. 😉
Really like the finish on this. I also showed the size difference between a P-47 and a Spit. Big and beautiful!
Well done!
Thanks, James! I enjoyed seeing yours as well.
Here-here ! That makes two of us... James @jamesb
"rocked it" with his Spit and T-bolt. What is so amazing is how much of a difference there was in size between the two planes.
I like that scheme on the Jug! The Spit's cool as well. That is some size comparison.
Thanks, Robert. SEAC , British Eastern Fleet, and BPF schemes are some of my favorites.
Hello John, @j-healy
What a marvelous P-47 ! These look fantastic painted in the SEAC colors. Plus it's the old Monogram kit to boot... so that's a win / win in my book. Well done buddy. I have a quick question for you if you don't mind.
Did you carry the white stripes around to the underside of the wings and horizontal stabilizers ? Thanks.
"liked"
Thanks, Louis. Carefully masked all around. BTW, when is the Japanese group build starting?
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John, @j-healy
It should be starting very soon...and thanks for posting the picture of the underside. You think that right now with the virus making it's rounds that I would have more time to devote to the hobby. But the misses and I have been rather busy getting caught up on things around the house. I might need help with managing it on occasions.
Thanks for asking and I'll talk with you soon.
Take care, Louis.
That looks very good, John. Amazing how your work in that winky-dink cockpit (the only "failing" in the kit IMHO) made it actually look close enough to right as to not worry.
Thanks, Tom. That cockpit is something. Three parts total! The edges of the seat are actually molded pretty sharply and I think that helps it a lot.
It must be Jug day here at iModeler, two Monogram P-47's and both in SEA camo. Well done John, she looks good IMHO, those razed panel lines seem to disappear in that camo scheme.
Thanks, Tom. Raised panel lines don’t bother me much as long as the kit fits decently and doesn’t require much sanding. The P-47 was one of Monogram’s better kits in my opinion.
Amazing what a bit of modelling skill will do to the classic Monogram kits. I keep saying this but it is true. Well done
Thanks, Haslam!