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Italeri 1/48 P-47D Thunderbolt

Posted: January 18th, 2018, 5:24 am
by Marc
Hi all

I recently completed Italeri's 1/48 P-47D Thunderbolt. Congrats to Italeri (Academy?) on a splendid model. Although not Tamiya, I would say 90% of Tamiya's standard. When considering the cost the Italeri kit is excellent value for money!

The model kit went together very well. The kit sports a well detailed cockpit and there are lots of drop tanks, bombs and rockets to choose from. My intention was to build the model to represent the aircraft on the box cover which is in overall silver with colourfull decals. Unfortunately the natural metal/silver was my downfall. I primed the model with a dark grey from a rattle can and then airbrushed the model with Humbroll Metalcote. This came out very well. I then sprayed a coat of clear gloss in preperation for deacling. It was here that the painting went south. The silver reacted badly to the gloss with the result that the silver "cracked" and "cobwebbed" to such an extent that buffing made no difference. Copius amounts of oven cleaner, lighter fluid and methylated spirits had most of the paint striped but the plastic itself had been damaged in the process. Change of plan had me respraying the model in the Olive Drab/Medium Grey scheme of a Brazilian machine in Italy during the fall of 1944. Although far from "show" standard I am nevertheless happy with the outcome.

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Re: Italeri 1/48 P-47D Thunderbolt

Posted: January 18th, 2018, 6:26 am
by PropWash
I think you did a wonderful job on your Brazilian P-47, Marc. The weathering, especially in the engine area, is especially well done. And props for making it an unusual subject as well. 8-)

Several years ago, I read a great story in one of the aviation mags I subscribe to. It was about a Mexican Air Force P-47 in, I believe, the Pacific Theater. I really liked the scheme and thought it would make a great subject of a build one day. You certainly don't think of Central / South American forces being active in WWII do you?

Re: Italeri 1/48 P-47D Thunderbolt

Posted: January 18th, 2018, 11:34 am
by Old_Tonto
Super build Marc. Who doesn't like big jugs? :lol:

Re: Italeri 1/48 P-47D Thunderbolt

Posted: January 18th, 2018, 2:45 pm
by iggie
Nice job, the wear and tear looks authentic

Re: Italeri 1/48 P-47D Thunderbolt

Posted: January 18th, 2018, 3:12 pm
by jssel
Wow. And some very nice weathering to boot.

Re: Italeri 1/48 P-47D Thunderbolt

Posted: January 18th, 2018, 11:01 pm
by skypirate
That is pretty damn good, considering the near-disaster on the way!
Nice to see the unusual markings. (A blessing in disguise?)

Cheers,

David

Re: Italeri 1/48 P-47D Thunderbolt

Posted: January 21st, 2018, 12:33 am
by Clashcityrocker
Nice looking Brazilian Jug :shock:

Nigel

Re: Italeri 1/48 P-47D Thunderbolt

Posted: January 21st, 2018, 11:58 am
by Stupot
Well despite the paint problems you persevered and made a really nice looking model. I like it! :)

Stu

Re: Italeri 1/48 P-47D Thunderbolt

Posted: January 21st, 2018, 6:00 pm
by ShaunW
That looks great, Marc and in Brazilian markings for an aircraft serving in Italy in late 1944, I never knew Brasil had any aircraft serving in WW II so I've learnt something new this week!