1:72 Republic P-47H-25 "Thunderbolt" - Done (pics @ p. 2)

[Dizzyfugu]

Or, we are travelling faster than the speed of light relative to dizzyfugu and time dilation makes time in our frame of reference appear to pass quicker.

Man, that is one ugly plane.  It looks like it should have buck teeth and bulgy eyes.  I love it.  Can't wait to see it finished (which will be tomorrow at this rate of work).

Well, as a bit of relativity I must confess that the pics normally lag behind reality - at the moment, the P-47H is undergoing finishing touches () and I expect the final varnish to be applied today in the evening hours... Scary? Maybe, but I have also to add that I have some days off and every now and then drop by the work station. Not certain what happens if I decide to REALLY work fast, though...

Anyway, here's what's been going on on the outside, with an impression of the inspirational benchmark Thunderbolt:

1:72 Republic P-47H-25 "Thunderbolt", aircraft 'CH-F [bar]' (s/n 44-63483) of USAAF 365th FS, 358th FG, 9th Air Force; based at Toul (France), early 1945 (Whif/kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


As this was to be a very late WWII aircraft, NMF was certain, and I wanted to place the service P-47H into the European conflict theatre, where its speed would IMHO be best used against German jet threats.
I wanted a colorful aircraft, though, and settled for a machine of the 358th FG. This group actually flew Thunderbolts in the 365-367th Sqaudrons, and I found several profiles of these gaudy things. Common markings were an orange tail and a dark blue spine, while the engine cowling would be decorated with a red front ring and the air outlets would carry bands in red, white and blue, with lots of tiny stars sprinkled upon. Pretty cool.

1:72 Republic P-47H-25 "Thunderbolt", aircraft 'CH-F [bar]' (s/n 44-63483) of USAAF 365th FS, 358th FG, 9th Air Force; based at Toul (France), early 1945 (Whif/kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Republic P-47H-25 "Thunderbolt", aircraft 'CH-F [bar]' (s/n 44-63483) of USAAF 365th FS, 358th FG, 9th Air Force; based at Toul (France), early 1945 (Whif/kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


I tried to mimic this look. The model was basically painted with Aluminum Metallizer (Humbrol 27002) overall. The effect is really good, even without rubbing treatment. Some panels were contrasted with Aluminium Plate and Polished Steel Metallizer (Modelmaster), as well as with Aluminum (Humbrol 56, which is rather a metallic grey). The latter was also used on the landing gear. The anti-glare panel in front of the cockpit was painted in Olive Drab (ANA 613 from Modelmaster).

Since there is no air intake opening on the inline engine I decided to paint the spinner in bright red (Humbrol 19), and tried to incorporate the white and blue theme with stars decoration to the rest of the nose. As a convenient coincidence I found decals from an Italeri B-66 in the stash: it features a version with dark blue jet air intake decorations in the right size, colors and style for what I had been looking for. So, instead of painting everything by hand I decided to incorporate this decal option.

The area behind the spinner was painted white and then the B-66 decals applied to the front flanks. The radiator air intake scoop had to be cut out, but the overall size and shape were a very good match. Even the transition into the blue spine and cockpit area worked well!

1:72 Republic P-47H-25 "Thunderbolt", aircraft 'CH-F [bar]' (s/n 44-63483) of USAAF 365th FS, 358th FG, 9th Air Force; based at Toul (France), early 1945 (Whif/kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Republic P-47H-25 "Thunderbolt", aircraft 'CH-F [bar]' (s/n 44-63483) of USAAF 365th FS, 358th FG, 9th Air Force; based at Toul (France), early 1945 (Whif/kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


The tail was painted with Humbrol 18, later some shading with Humbrol 82 was added. The blue spine was done with a mix of Humbrol 104 and 15 (Oxford Blue and Midnight Blue) - not a perfect match for the B-66 decal colors, but after some dirt and weathering these differences would blur.

Cockpit interior was painted in Humbrol 159 (Khaki Drab) and Zinc Chromate Green from Model Master. The landing gear wells received a chrome yellow primer (Humbrol 225 - actually RAF Mid Stone but a perfect match for the task) finish.

For weathering the kit received a rubbing treatment with grinded graphite, which adds a dark, metallic shine and emphasizes the kit's raised panel lines. Some dry painting with Aluminum was added, too, simulating chipped paint on the leading edges. I also added some oil stains around the engine, and serious soot stains at the exhaust.

1:72 Republic P-47H-25 "Thunderbolt", aircraft 'CH-F [bar]' (s/n 44-63483) of USAAF 365th FS, 358th FG, 9th Air Force; based at Toul (France), early 1945 (Whif/kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


Decals were, beyond the B-66 decoration, puzzled together. The aircraft' code 'CH-F[bar]' is another exotic twist, in two ways. The bar under the letter marks a second use of that code within the squadron, and as a difference from normal code placement (normally exclusively on the fuselage) I put the aircraft's individual code letter on the fin, a practice which had been used on P-51s and a consequence of the relatively large letter decals.

1:72 Republic P-47H-25 "Thunderbolt", aircraft 'CH-F [bar]' (s/n 44-63483) of USAAF 365th FS, 358th FG, 9th Air Force; based at Toul (France), early 1945 (Whif/kitbashing) - WiP by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


The nose art is again a fictional puzzle, consisting of a(nother) Czech MiG-21 pin-up from the Pardubice '89 meeting, and the "Ohio Express" tag comes from a Tamiya 1:100 F-105 Thunderchief. A neat combination that even matches the overall colors well!

Stay tuned... 

[nighthunter]

Looks good to me!

[Dizzyfugu]

Thank you  . Here she is now, in full glory and more or less in real time:

1:72 Republic P-47H-25 "Thunderbolt", aircraft 'CH-F [bar]' (s/n 44-63483) of USAAF 365th FS, 358th FG, 9th Air Force; based at Toul (France), early 1945 (Whif/kitbashing) - WiP (almost done) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


I can't help, but the finished article looks like an Evel Knievel stunt vehicle? The red spinner looks a bit odd, but I'll leave it this way. 

[sandiego89]

Great surgery on this one.  Yep quite colorfull!  Well done.

[Gondor]

OK, a bubble topped P-47H derivative?

Gondor

And knowing Dizzyfugu's production rate it will be finished by Saturday too!

Gondor

Two for Two. but what speed he builds at 

Great looking result though 

Gondor

[Captain Canada]

Holy Jack Mackerel ! How do you work so fast ? Looks awesome.

I think the nose, in the pic with the green anti-glare panel and the white ( before you added the blue ) looks very FAA Fulmar ! A look I always like 

[Tophe]

Great result, congratulations!

[Dizzyfugu]

So, here we are, just in time

1:72 Republic P-47H-25 "Thunderbolt", aircraft 'CH-F [bar]' (s/n 44-63483) of USAAF 365th FS, 358th FG, 9th Air Force; based at Toul (France), early 1945 (Whif/kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Republic P-47H-25 "Thunderbolt", aircraft 'CH-F [bar]' (s/n 44-63483) of USAAF 365th FS, 358th FG, 9th Air Force; based at Toul (France), early 1945 (Whif/kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Republic P-47H-25 "Thunderbolt", aircraft 'CH-F [bar]' (s/n 44-63483) of USAAF 365th FS, 358th FG, 9th Air Force; based at Toul (France), early 1945 (Whif/kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr



Some background:
The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was one of the largest and heaviest fighter aircraft in history to be powered by a single piston engine. It was heavily armed with eight .50-caliber machine guns, four per wing. When fully loaded, the P-47 weighed up to eight tons, and in the fighter-bomber ground-attack roles could carry five-inch rockets or a significant bomb load of 2,500 pounds; it could carry over half the payload of the B-17 bomber on long-range missions (although the B-17 had a far greater range).

1:72 Republic P-47H-25 "Thunderbolt", aircraft 'CH-F [bar]' (s/n 44-63483) of USAAF 365th FS, 358th FG, 9th Air Force; based at Toul (France), early 1945 (Whif/kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Republic P-47H-25 "Thunderbolt", aircraft 'CH-F [bar]' (s/n 44-63483) of USAAF 365th FS, 358th FG, 9th Air Force; based at Toul (France), early 1945 (Whif/kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


The P-47, originally based on the powerful Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp engine, was to be very effective as a short-to-medium range escort fighter in high-altitude air-to-air combat and, when unleashed as a fighter-bomber, proved especially adept at ground attack in both the World War II European and Pacific Theaters.
The P-47 was one of the main United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) fighters of World War II, and served with other Allied air forces, notably those of France, Britain, and Russia. Mexican and Brazilian squadrons fighting alongside the U.S. were equipped with the P-47.

In 1943, two P-47D-15-RE airframes (serials 42-23297/23298) were selected for testing with the new experimental 2300 hp Chrysler XIV-2220-1 sixteen-cylinder inverted Vee liquid-cooled engine. These aircraft were re-designated XP-47H. The liquid-cooled Chrysler engine with its large under-fuselage radiator radically changed the appearance of the Thunderbolt, and increased overall length to 39 feet 2 inches. With the increased power and improved streamlining, a maximum speed of 490 mph was anticipated.

1:72 Republic P-47H-25 "Thunderbolt", aircraft 'CH-F [bar]' (s/n 44-63483) of USAAF 365th FS, 358th FG, 9th Air Force; based at Toul (France), early 1945 (Whif/kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Republic P-47H-25 "Thunderbolt", aircraft 'CH-F [bar]' (s/n 44-63483) of USAAF 365th FS, 358th FG, 9th Air Force; based at Toul (France), early 1945 (Whif/kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Republic P-47H-25 "Thunderbolt", aircraft 'CH-F [bar]' (s/n 44-63483) of USAAF 365th FS, 358th FG, 9th Air Force; based at Toul (France), early 1945 (Whif/kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


The two P-47D-15-RE airframes were converted until early 1944 and test flights began on July 26, 1945. During flight trails, one of the XP-47Hs actually attained a speed of 490 mph in level flight, and the new aircraft was primarily intended as a fast interceptor for the European theater, where especially Great Britain was endangered by the fast V1 missiles, and initial reports about German jet fighters and reconnaissance aircraft that were hard to counter with current piston-engine types, stirred the need for this fast aircraft.

Production P-47Hs received several amendments that had already been introduced with the late D types, e. g. the lowered back and a bubble canopy that offered excellent view. The P-47H also received the new wing from the P-47N, recognizable by its characteristic square wing tips which allowed better roll manoeuvers. Not visible at first glance were the integral wing tanks, which enhanced the internal fuel load to 4.792,3 liters, resulting in a range of 3.500 km (2.175 ml), so that the P-47H was also suited for long range bomber escorts. Air brakes were added to the wing's lower surfaces, too, to allow braking after a dive onto its prey.
Furthermore, serial production machines received an uprated, more reliable Chrysler XIV-2220-2 engine, which had an output of 2.450 hp.

1:72 Republic P-47H-25 "Thunderbolt", aircraft 'CH-F [bar]' (s/n 44-63483) of USAAF 365th FS, 358th FG, 9th Air Force; based at Toul (France), early 1945 (Whif/kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Republic P-47H-25 "Thunderbolt", aircraft 'CH-F [bar]' (s/n 44-63483) of USAAF 365th FS, 358th FG, 9th Air Force; based at Toul (France), early 1945 (Whif/kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


The P-47H was put into limited production with 130 built, sufficient for one group. However, the type suffered serious teething problems in the field due to the highly tuned engine. Engines were unable to reach operating temperatures and power settings and frequently failed in early flights from a variety of causes: ignition harnesses cracked at high altitudes, severing electrical connections between the magneto and distributor, and carburetor valve diaphragms also failed. Poor corrosion protection during shipments across the Atlantic also took their toll on the engines and airframes.

1:72 Republic P-47H-25 "Thunderbolt", aircraft 'CH-F [bar]' (s/n 44-63483) of USAAF 365th FS, 358th FG, 9th Air Force; based at Toul (France), early 1945 (Whif/kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Republic P-47H-25 "Thunderbolt", aircraft 'CH-F [bar]' (s/n 44-63483) of USAAF 365th FS, 358th FG, 9th Air Force; based at Toul (France), early 1945 (Whif/kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Republic P-47H-25 "Thunderbolt", aircraft 'CH-F [bar]' (s/n 44-63483) of USAAF 365th FS, 358th FG, 9th Air Force; based at Toul (France), early 1945 (Whif/kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


By the time the bugs were worked out, the war in Europe was nearly over. However, P-47Hs still destroyed 15 enemy jet aircraft in aerial combat in March-May 1945 when aerial encounters with the Luftwaffe were rare. The type also proved itself to be a valuable V1 missile interceptor over the Channel.

The entire production total of 130 P-47Hs were delivered to the 358th Fighter Group, which was part of the 9th Air Force and operated from Great Britain, France and finally on German ground. From the crews the P-47H received several nicknames like 'torpedo', 'Thunderbullet' or 'Anteater', due to its elongated nose section.

Twelve P-47H were lost in operational crashes with the 358th Group resulting in 11 deaths, two after VE Day, and two (44-21134 on 13 April 1945 and 44-21230 on 16 April 1945) were shot down in combat, both by ground fire.

1:72 Republic P-47H-25 "Thunderbolt", aircraft 'CH-F [bar]' (s/n 44-63483) of USAAF 365th FS, 358th FG, 9th Air Force; based at Toul (France), early 1945 (Whif/kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr





General characteristics
    Crew: 1
    Length: 39 ft 2 in (11.96 m)
    Wingspan: 40 ft 9 in (12.42 m)
    Height: 14 ft 8 in (4.47 m)
    Wing area: 300 ft² (27.87 m²)
    Empty weight: 10,000 lb (4,535 kg)
    Loaded weight: 13,300 lb (6,032 kg)
    Max. takeoff weight: 17,500 lb (7,938 kg)
   
Powerplant:
    1× Chrysler XIV-2220-2 sixteen-cylinder inverted Vee liquid-cooled engine, rated at 2.450 hp.

Performance
    Maximum speed: 503 mph at 30,000 ft (810 km/h at 9,145 m)
    Range: 920 mi combat, 2.175 ml ferry (1.480 km / 3.500 km)
    Service ceiling: 43,000 ft (13,100 m)
    Rate of climb: 3,120 ft/min (15.9 m/s)
    Wing loading: 44.33 lb/ft² ()
    Power/mass: 0.19 hp/lb (238 W/kg)

Armament
    8 × .50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns (3.400 rounds)
    Up to 2,500 lb (1,134 kg) of bombs, drop tanks and/or 10× 5 in (127 mm) unguided rockets



1:72 Republic P-47H-25 "Thunderbolt", aircraft 'CH-F [bar]' (s/n 44-63483) of USAAF 365th FS, 358th FG, 9th Air Force; based at Toul (France), early 1945 (Whif/kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Republic P-47H-25 "Thunderbolt", aircraft 'CH-F [bar]' (s/n 44-63483) of USAAF 365th FS, 358th FG, 9th Air Force; based at Toul (France), early 1945 (Whif/kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr

1:72 Republic P-47H-25 "Thunderbolt", aircraft 'CH-F [bar]' (s/n 44-63483) of USAAF 365th FS, 358th FG, 9th Air Force; based at Toul (France), early 1945 (Whif/kitbashing) by dizzyfugu, on Flickr


A better XP-47H? Hard to tell, since this kitbashing was a messy and rather crude work, so the overall finish does not look as good as I hoped for. But the lowered spine and the fin root extension adds to a fast look of this thing, more elegant (if that's possible in this case?) than the Razorback prototypes.

[zenrat]

Great.  Love the paint job - what's wrong with looking like Evel's personal ride?

[NARSES2]

Tremendous build  but does anyone else think it could be the star of a Disney movie ?

[Old Wombat]

Well, this build is;

Seriously fast;

Seriously good; &

Seriously fugly!

Well done, that man!

[Captain Canada]

What a beauty ! Looks great on the ground. Love those shots. The inflight shots look funny with the flaps down tho. No biggie !

Awesome job on this one. One of my favourites so far. Love your work. Thanks for sharing !

[kitnut617]

I really like the concept (been thinking of something like this for a while) and I'm seriously impressed with the kitbashing  , but it's not in the scheme that I like myself.

[Army of One]

Holy Moly what an awesome build and gotta say an eye catching spanking gorgeous colour scheme......

[kerick]

What a beauty ! Looks great on the ground. Love those shots. The inflight shots look funny with the flaps down tho. No biggie !

Awesome job on this one. One of my favourites so far. Love your work. Thanks for sharing !

My guess is that the flaps were lowered when flying slow next to the camera plane. That's my story and I'm stick'n to it!