P-47D “The Bug” 405th FG
My son was nicknamed bug when young so "The Bug" was a must build for me!
Superscale decals and Ultracast wheels and seat
Tamiya / Mr Hobby paints, Future Gloss and Xtracyrlix Flat
"The Bug"
P-47D-20-RE 42-76553
405th Fighter Group, 510th Fighter Squadron
Nose art painted by S/Sgt Lynn E. TRANK
405th Fighter Group, 510th Fighter Squadron
Christchurch, England, Picauville & St Dizier, France, Kitzingen
Assigned to Lt Arlie J Blood this P47 Thunderbolt was named for his baby son while the group was still in England in April 1943. Blood said his little son looked like a "bug" when he last saw him before deploying overseas. Lynn Trank commented," This one I like as a successful painting because it goes all the way around." It was somewhat reminiscent of the early P40 War Hawks flown by the "Flying Tigers" in China.
On 24th May 1944, "The Bug" took off from Christchurch on a strafing mission in the region of Vannes, France, but was shot down by flak 9 miles east of Ladevant, France. 1Lt Blood had just strafed a train, destroying the locomotive. He was forced to bail out at 3000ft and initially evaded but was caught later on 16 June while fighting with the Resistance. In July he escaped from a prison train, rejoined the Resistance and eventually returned to England in October 1944.
Another excellent P-47, Darren.
And a nice story, too!
Man, you come up with some of the best Jug themes I've every witnessed! And you've been busy lately... Your T-Bolts are gorgeous as always.
I built the Monogram version of this one, yours looks way better!
Great story to go with an excellent model.
Nice story, Darren, accompanied with another great Thunderbolt.
Another great Jug.
Liked.
I have just found this on Google and I decided I HAVE TO BUILD THIS! Your Jug is awesome!
The mouth is so beautiful... this is what I want in my diplay.
Thanks for all aftermarket informations you wrote, it helps me a lot to get it as well.