**** DONE: 1/48 P-47D Thunderbolt - Aircraft Nose Art GB.

[s1chris]

Username: s1chris
Name: Chris
Catagory: Novice
Scale: 1/48
Manufacturer: Tamiya
Type: P-47D
Aftermarket: Loon Models SAR Accessories, Quickboost Seat and Xtradecal 5th ERS Decal sheet.

I will be modelling P-47D 42-8496 Razorback "Galloping Catastrophe" of 5th Emergancy Rescue Squadron USAAF. Based at RAF Boxted in 1944.

Galloping Castrophe collided mid air during air gunner practise with a B-24 Liberator "TARFU". Piolt Lt. T Barket was killed.

The Kit -

The aftermarket accessories -

First GB, so here goes!

Cheers Chris

 

[woody]

Looking forward to your build Chris.

 

[fubar57]

Always liked the markings of the 5th ERS.

Geo

 

[s1chris]

Thanks guy's. Just made a start in the cockpit -

Cheers Chris

 

[Crimea_River]

Got lots of Jugs now! Welcome to your first GB Chris and good start. I'm doing Tamiya's M and hope to get that Razorback kit some day but need to get through my stash first.

 

[Rogi]

Nice choice and can't wait to see this one "in action" hehehe

 

[N4521U]

Always good to have another first timer join in..... welcome to the GB

 

[s1chris]

Jugs are always a welcome sight! Anyway here is a picture of the nose art.
It is not clear if this was applied to both sides of the nose. The kit provides two decals but I am going to only apply one to try and keep as accurate as can be confirmed by photographic evidence.

Cheers Chris

 

[fubar57]

Chris, go to this site for photos of the starboard side of your aircraft.

8th Air Force Fighter Group - Littlefriends.co.uk

Geo

 

[s1chris]

Thanks Geo, that's the site I was using for reference so far. The close up shows it with only two guns per wing, yet the profile states it retained all eight. I'm going to go with the two per wing. Any ideas on if/how the redundant two ports would have been blanked or covered?

Also one of the photos shows it pre nose art I think. Also at that time it retained its full serial number.

I have also seen various colours of life raft pod, with either gray or red forward faceing ends to the pod. Does anybody have any conclusive pictures of the rafts and smoke markers?
I'm assuming the smoke markers would have been the same colour as bombs etc?

Last one I'd like clarification on is the photo with the external drop tank. I have seen 5th ERS modelled with the 150gal but I believe the photo shows it fitted with a dented 108gal?

Then it's time to tackle Invasion stripes for the first time!

Chris

 

[fubar57]

I've only gone through one book but it says the aircraft carried 150 gal. tanks. I'm thinking occasionally, the 1o8 gal. may have been used though I imagine while on SAR missions, they required a long loiter time. Haven't seen any photos of the markers yet, but I've just started.

Profiles showing rafts.

Geo

 

[s1chris]

Thanks Geo, 150gal tank assembley will start ASAP then.

This is what I can find for smoke markers and rafts. Again I have seen different on modelled examples.

Cheers Chris

 

[Lucky13]

 

[s1chris]

Cockpit nearly done. Just instrument panel to complete -

 

[fubar57]

Here's a photo of a raft pack used by the 5th.

"The Mighty Eighth in Colour"-Roger Freeman

Geo

 

[rochie]

nice job Chris, planned on doing an RAF "Jug" if i was able to enter

 

[meatloaf109]

Welcome to the build!
The -47's had a nice big area for art. Maybe I should have waited and entered my P-47 in this one and not "Heavy Hitters"!

 

[s1chris]

Perfect Geo thanks. Looks like red on the end to me then.
Also the actual raft would appear to be dark in colour and what also looks like 150gal tank next to them.
You can bet your bottom dollar that's a crate full of smoke markers as well. If only one had fallen out of the box for us to see!

Much appreciated.

 

[Wurger]

 

[fubar57]

I did find an aircraft with a 108 gal. tank attached if you want to weep softly into your cereal now.

Geo

EDIT: Found another model build that has the markers as silverish body and red front. Take that as you will.