Jo-Han 1/72 P-47D Thunderbolt
Jo-Han 1/72 P-47D Thunderbolt
Kit no. A-102 (Released: 1973 New tool)
This was my second time building this kit and I enjoyed the build when I first built it back in 1973 and enjoyed it more on this build. It is a clean kit with very little flash to remove, has recessed panel lines and has the option of building it as a razorback or as a bubble-top version. The shape looks accurate to my eyes but it does lack details with just a seat for the cockpit and nothing for a wheel well.
To me this is a copy of Airfix's old P-47D razor back released in the 60's. They both almost goes together the same way. The engine cowl area was the big difference between the two and Jo-Han added the option of building it as a bubble top. Jo-Han also improved the shapes on the razor back spine, the 500 lbs bombs, its drop tanks and it provides a nicer set of thinner/clearer canopies.
On this build I scratch built the missing cockpit and empty wheel wells. I chose to build the razor back version and used decals from Techmod. From what I have read, this is the first "Silver" P-47 in the European theatre. The markings represent a P-47D-22 Thunderbolt serial 42-26044 “Silver Lady” HV-Z of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th FG, May, 1944.
Silver Lady was flown by multiple pilots. Francis Gabreski managed to get 5 kills on this plane.
All in all, I am pretty happy with this build even though I made some mistakes during the build. But still, I've been wanting to build this Jo-Han kit for a while and it does look pretty happy next to my recent P-38 build.
At the end of taking shots for this article, I took some with my Airfix P-38 and Rareplane's P-43 Lancer.
To see my build progress please click on this link below and thank you.
https://imodeler.com/groups/aviation/forum/topic/jo-han-1-72-p-47d-thunderbolt/
Excellent result, Bob!
Thank you John.
Excellent result, Bob @v1pro
Hard to believe this is a 1/72 kit.
All the extras you did on the interior and wheels are improving this kit a lot.
Thank you John, I am glad I put in the extra work. It did make a difference to this build.
Amazing result out of this oldie, Bob!
Well done!
Spiros, thank you!
super build and amazing paint job did you know the information has been updated for decals for Silver Lady a new book has Been published by AK interactive by two of my friends well respected Historians for the 56thFG your find among other details the text is Blue hope this helps maybe even update the model and no wires for radio in UK we used ultra high frequency the wires factory fitted for use with low frequency sets these were removed either at depot or at group
4 attached images. Click to enlarge.
Thanks Martin, good info! For now my model stays as is, I am good with the end results.
3 attached images. Click to enlarge.
Hi Bob that's great please don't take it another way as good intension just mentioned it in case your like me and want them correct these decals from last 20 years are sometimes far from what was on the AC and the blue text Silver Lady is very new information but from well trusted source
TY for posting the side profile pic. Never knew they used a malcom style hood on a Razorback jug.
hey Doug yes within the 8th in the UK they jumped at the chance to see behind them ha ha quite a few had the mod but not long after changed over to the P51 and D-25 T Bolts arrived in theatre
Doug, like Martin said, the malcom style hood canopies were all field mods. This shot shows Silver Lady with the mod after the summer of '44.
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
Nice trip down memory lane, Bob, and a great result.
Thank you George.
Looks really good, Bob. I like the "stable mates" shots.
Thank you Gary, the P-38 impresses me with its larger size but petite look, and the 'P-43 being so small.
Another great classic kit - classically built!
Keep’em coming Bob!
Comparing the two, the P-36 is definitely the ‘little brother’.
Thank you George.
Your excellent scratch building work on this Thunderbolt along with the nice paint job really makes this model stand out. It takes talent and patience to produce such a nice model from such an old kit… well done Bob @v1pro !
Thank you Jay @ssgt. I am glad it was a fun build, it did take a bit more work than what I expected.
Excellent build on that old kit!
Chas, thank you!
Very nice build! I've got a few of these old JoHan kits...
Thank you Greg, I know you will do a great job on your Jo-Han builds.
Nice, I had forgotten about Jo-Han kits, well done!
Thank you Rob!
Great build out of that old kit. Nice comparison shot with the P-43 Lancer.
Thank you Doug, yes I really wanted to show the difference between the two. The evolution of the P-47 is amazing.
Beautifully done Blast from the Past! I built the Johan A6M Rufe seaplane a looong time ago.
Thank you Robert, one day I need to build their Rufe, it does look like a nice kit. I saw this kit in one of the bigger shows a few years ago and done right, it is a knockout!
I bought one of these, an Aurora 1.48 ME 109F (the one molded in the purple plastic), and a Revell 1/570 Scharnhorst so long ago they were sold in a 7-11 store down the road from my house in Hampton Virginia for less than a dollar apiece...
In the 70's, I remember paying that amount too. I built the Aurora Me-109 and their B-29 Superfortress and later donated both builds to the Airframe and Powerplant school I went to get my A&P licenses. Those were easy kits to slap together.
Great build Bob. So good to see someone's skill shine through with an older kit. Hats off to you Bob 🎩
Thank you Gary!
old kits are always cool!
Lis @lis, I totally agree!👍🍻