**** DONE: GB-56 1:48 P-47D Razorback – Thunderbolts and Lightnings

[Vic Balshaw]

Username: Vic Balshaw
First name: Vic
Category: Advanced
Manufacturer: Tamiya
Model: Republic P-47D Thunderbolt Razorback
Scale: 1/48
Extras: Eduard PE – Eduard Mask – Kit World Instrument Panel – Master Model Browning Barrels and maybe some scratch building.

 

[Vic Balshaw]

With this build I'm sticking with the kit decals of Lt Frank (Klib) Klibbe. Enlisting in October 1941 Klib earned his wings and was assigned to RAF Halesworth, Suffolk (the old airfield now housed a WWII Museum) and it was from here that Klib gained his first areal victory, an Me109 in November 1943. Over the next 6 months, Klib went on to gain a further 5 victories over the Me109, the final one being coupled with an Fw190 in May 1944 thus ending the war with an "Ace" status. Klibbe continued service with the US Air Force, retiring with the rank of Colonel in March 1973.

Both sourced: Internet.

 

[Airframes]

Nice one Vic.
I have the same decals with the Hasegawa kit, and also an old sheet from the original Monogram kit, and had considered this subject as a second (or third) entry, but decided on "Belle of Belmont" instead, also from the 56thFG.
Good to have some variety, don't you know, what !!

 

[Wurger]

 

[Crimea_River]

Nice entry Vic.

 

[fubar57]

Good one

 

[le_steph40]

Nice choice too

 

[Vic Balshaw]

It's taken me a while but at last I'm up and running with most of the cockpit taken care of. Apologies for the quality of some of the pics, light was fading with heavy cloud moving over.

Now I'll have a bit more of a delay while waiting on some paint to arrive, hopefully later this week but for now, many thanks for looking in gents.

 

[le_steph40]

Great office

 

[Wurger]

 

[Crimea_River]

Good start Vic

 

[Airframes]

That's looking the biz Vic.

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Many thanks folks.

 

[Vic Balshaw]

The office be done save for the gun sight which is tucked away nice and safe until the end of the build.

An annoying little mould ejector on the inside of the exhaust vents. Both have been removed.

I've now turned my attention on the engine so should have some pics tomorrow.

 

[Wurger]

 

[Crimea_River]

Gaining momentum. Nice looking pit.

 

[T Bolt]

Very nice work on the cockpit Vic

 

[Airframes]

Nice work Vic.
One very minor point, which is a bit late now, but may help others, or for future builds.
The harness shoulder straps should go over the seat frame, not the seat back. This is because the seat can be adjusted for height, by sliding up or down the frame and then locked as required. If the shoulder straps were over the seat back, between the seat and the top, horizontal tube of the frame, they could become trapped between seat and frame, depending on the seat height.

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Thanks chaps and thanks Terry, I'll remember that for next time and blame this on Eduards who's instructions show the harness fitted over the seat back.

 

[Vic Balshaw]

More updates.

No, it's not an Aussie spider but the start of the engine build. Bits of copper wire representing ignition leads.

The first batch of wires sorted.

The completed engine though I'm not sure if I should paint them, I fancy red, purple or blue but I think that would be pushing the artistic liberty a tad too much. Any suggestions!