Academy 1/48 P-47D Bubbletop
This is my contribution to the Jerry Grandall Tribute Group Build organized by Tom Cleaver on iModeler. Thanks Tom for the invitation and for starting this Group Build as a way to honor some of Jerry's great decals. I used EagleCals sheet EC- #104 P-47D Thunderbolt, depicting Norma, Little Bunny, Helen from the 57th FG. The USAAF pilots that flew this A/C were Lt William Lyke and Lt Brad Muhl. Originally operated by the Brazilian AF from RAF deliveries she was painted in Dark Green and Gray paint before taken over by the 57th. Hence the somewhat strange paint scheme which appealed to me.
The Academy kit has been around for awhile and is not as detailed as the Tamiya offering, however, it can be build into a respectable model. Added bonus was I obtained this kit in Eduard boxing from an estate sale with no decals or instructions for $5. What's not to like. During construction I added a Ultracast seat and used some nylon thread for the wire antenna, other than that it's OOB. The OD color is Model Master enamel lighten a little and Tamiya RAF dark green acrylic. Top coat is Alclad semi-matt. Some staining was done with artist chalk and a Pitt Pen to highlight panel lines. Up next is the Airfix P-51 using some more EagleCal decals.
Excellent work, Tom.
Super nice Jug. Enjoy the look of the 57th.
Great choice Tom and cracking build. Love the 57th FG machines, all unique and really interesting. (My build from 2017 - https://imodeler.com/2017/06/p-47d-thunderbolt/ )
Best from NZ.
Great result, Tom @tom-bebout
Detailing and paintwork are top notch.
Incredible to see how little clearance there is between the ground and the carried bomb.
Amazing job, Tom!
Excellent work, this is a great looking P-47!
Nice job, Tom!
G'day Tom (@tom-bebout),
This is a great looking Jug.
Liked!
Looks great, Tom.
Tom you knocked this one out of the park! Inspiring build and value too- just $5!
Thunderbolts...we love 'em. Great job on yours. Clean build, fine finish and superb interior. All good.
Another showcase model Tom, lovely Jug!
A real beauty,Tom!
That is a lovely T-bolt! Well done.
Further proof that it's the quality of the modeler rather than the quality of the kit that determines the final result - which is obviously great here, looking at the photos. Very nice work!
Well done, Tom (@tom-bebout). Your model looks exceptional inside and out. T-Bolts are always cool.
Excellent job on your P-47 and I love the cockpit tub work (the part I am always drawn to). Your photography and background adds a lot of realism...well done!
Thanks Joe for some reason I enjoy building and detailing cockpits.