1/72 Hasegawa Republic P-47D

 Thunderbolt

by Radim Schimmer, Brno, Czech Republic, 

--------------------

 

This kit was one of first kits with recessed panel lines. Although 20 years old, the kit quality was superior to many kits issued in recent years.  No flash, absolutely perfect fit, clean surfaces and panel lines. It had, however, some areas that were below standards of our days, especially oversimplified cockpit and wheel wells.

Click on images below to see larger images

I build this kit mostly OOB, only added some details to cockpit (hardly visible through closed greenhouse canopy) and ribbing to wheel wells. Model was airbrushed with Agama alcohol based colors and Humbrol Metalcote. Canopy framing was done with decal stripes. All model was then brush coated with future to prepare it for decals. National insignias were from box (20 years old decals were still usable, but needed bleaching on direct sunlight and covering with clear varnish to protect them from disintegration), personal markings of Harry McAfee  (19FS/318FG, Saipan, 1944) were created using Corel and printed with color laserjet on clear decal film. Decals were set with future, panel lines were emphasized with future tinted black and brown. Final layer was airbrushed Humbrol satin varnish. 

Pictures were taken with Canon Powershot A60 digital camera. 

Happy modelling 

Radim

Photos and text © by  Radim Schimmer