Profile Photo
Tom Bebout
143 articles

Monogram 1/48 P-47D Razorback

February 3, 2024 · in Aviation · · 15 · 400

This latest build falls into Tom Cleaver's "Build them or Bin them" category. Just one of those models you pic up at a show for $5, I mean what the hey, it's a decent kit and it's only five bucks. So I started this little gem then began moaning over the lack of a decent cockpit so it went on the shelf. Then I found a cleaned up version of the old Medallion Models P-47D cockpit upgrade and inspiration to finish her kicked into overdrive.

The above represents Lt. H. I. Price's P-47D "Yankee Tarheel" which is kind of a oxymoron if you ask me. He flew with the 510st FS of the 405th FG in France,1944. The decals are from Eagle Strike, 48054 American Jabots. Couldn't resist the nose art. Some flash in all the wrong places but the overall fit of this ancient kit was quite good. The cockpit upgrade worked quite well and I used the replacement elevators to position them in a slightly dropped appearance.

TS-28 was used for the OD and AS-7 for the Neutral Gray. The blue was from an old Testors PLA Enamel bottle with 19 cents painted on the cap. Thought it was appropriate to use on this model. The rockets are from my parts stash, a Tamiya kit, and to my surprise the mounting holes lined up perfectly. I cut out the Navigation lights and replaced them using clear sprue. Nylon thread was used for the antenna and a PittPen for some panel highlights. She's done, not a contest winner, but I had some fun building her. That's what hobbies are all about, fun.

Reader reactions:
14  Awesome

8 additional images. Click to enlarge.


15 responses

  1. Well worth bringing it back. A neat kit. And if you had fun building it, it was certainly a success!

  2. Nice Bolt, Tom. I always have at least two of those in the stash. $5 Show purchases rock.

  3. Great job on a timeless classic, Tom. If you turn a hobby show bargain into a superb finished product (like this), that = extra points in my book.

  4. Nice work Tom on a "comfort food special." Great result.

  5. Nice job on that oldie. I have a few $5.00 specials, had a good time building them and they hold their own alongside some of the pricey superkits!

  6. Looks great, Tom ! My favorite brand of Thunderbolts

  7. Love it, Tom!
    Excellent result!

  8. Superbly done, Tom @tom-bebout
    Glad you did save it from the bin.

  9. Cool nose art and most importantly you had fun building her.

  10. Girlie art and fun. What's not to like.

  11. Turned out really nice Tom! Great job!

  12. That's terrific, Tom @tom-bebout! 👍 You really got a lot out of that kit; I've had one, off a consignment table at Kings in Austin, for years. Your model is great inspiration to get 'er done! 👏

  13. Great nostalgic build Tom.
    A respectable kit now, but in it's day I thought it was the best P-47 on the market. This build shows what can be done with an old stager in the right hands. Love it

  14. Way to bring a nice old kit to life! Looks great.

Leave a Reply