Tuesday, February 20

Updated preview: MiniArt's 48th scale P-47D-30RE Advanced kit in plastic & colours...

We have seen a quickly put together 1/48th scale P-47D with their earlier version. Today MiniArt shows us their D-30RE Jug, carefully assembled & with marking choices to show you just a little more of the finished item without paint. See the kit in close detail assembled in our preview...

Preview: MiniArt's 48th scale P-47D-30RE Advanced kit in plastic & colours...

P-47D-30 RE Thunderbolt
From MiniArt Models
Kit No: 48029
1/48th scale
The kit contains three marking choices in the box.
Full engine & weighted wheels, clear parts are included

The subject: The P-47D-30RE Thunderbolt.
The D-30RE Thunderbolt differed from the previous bubbletops from the Farmingdale plant most notably by the addition of under wing dive brakes near the wheel wells, and many minor changes. There were eight hundred D-30RE's built, with orders for one hundred and thirty more that were converted to orders for the P-47M-1-RE.
The other main difference externally was the fitting of a filleted tail to improve stability that was lost after the razorback thunderbolt's lost their fin like fuselage and were replaced with the bubbletop canopy. Some earlier bubbletop marques were also retrofitted with this tail fillet. You can see the difference in this line drawing below.
Weapons of the P-47D-30 consists of eight 0.50” Colt Browning M2 guns with 425 rounds per gun. Thunderbolt can carry up to 1135 kg of bombs and do Air-to-Ground tasks. The aircraft also has the ability to carry up to 10 unguided HVAR missiles.
The power plant of the P-47 is a Pratt & Whitney R-2800-59W, air-cooled, radial, twin row, 2000 hp engine with water injection. R-2800 definition means “Radial engine with total capacity of 2800 cubic inches”, which is equal to 45,9 liters. Its length - 72,75", 52,5" in diameter, with weight of 1068 kg. The engine is equipped with a single speed mechanical compressor. P-47D-30RE modification is equipped with a “Curtiss Electrics” 4-bladed propeller.

The Kit: MiniArt's 48th scale P-47D-30 RE
The complement to the "Basic Kit" version of the Republic P-47D Thunderbolt. This is probably one of the more popular and well-kitted variants of the Jug with plenty of colourful variants to choose from.
 The tail fillet for the D-30 is obvious from this shot of the completed kit.
Posable flight surfaces are included for the aircraft, with full flaps, ailerons & movable vertical tail.
Cowlings can be removed to show that beautiful engine off if you like to show the aircraft on the ground being serviced or repaired.
The large drop tanks under the wing let us know that MiniArt has supplied their excellent range of tanks and bombs with this version.
Six and eight spoked wheels and flattened main gear are included along with the large pancake belly long range tank.
The advanced kit has complete gun bays, ammunition and guns able to be installed or not.
Markings:
Inside the kit there will be three marking choices. Well known Thunderbolts to be sure, but really colourful schemes that will please also.

The first choice is for the P-47D-30RE of 509th Fighter Squadron, 405th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force, May 1945.

Flown by Captain Milton Wiliam Thompson, "Balls out" is a much loved schemes for that group. Milton William Thompson (1920-1952) was a veteran of 91 missions during World War II.


P-47 Thunderbolt code IA-N 44-33240 “Tarheel Hal” of the 356th Fighter Squadron, 358th Fighter Group.

One of the better known thunderbolts and we are lucky to have a colour photograph of this from the war. This was flown by Lt. Davis of the 358th Fighter Group, 366th Fighters Squadron, 9th Air Force in Europe during WWII.


The last is another colourful bird, the P-47D-30RE from the 362nd Fighter Group of the 9th ai-Air Force in Germany, spring, 1945.

Flown by Colonel Joseph L Laughlin, of the 362nd Fighter Group. They moved overseas to England In November 1943. Assigned initially to the 9th Fighter Command, it flew its first combat missions In February 1944, flying bomber escort missions under operational control of 8th Fighter Command. Until V.E. Day, the Group flew under control of XIX Tactical Air Command of the 9th Air Force, in support of U.S. Third Army. Laughlin progressed from squadron commander to Deputy Group Commander, then Group Commander of the 362nd Fighter Group, upon the combat loss of Group CO, Col. Morton D. Magoffin in August 1944. During this period, he flew every model of the P-47 up to the P-47N.


Decals:
The decals for the aircraft include national marking for one kite and the three markings for each individual aircraft. The stencils & instrument panel are also included of course!


This kit should be available soon next month from MiniArt's distributors worldwide. You can see more about this kit on the MiniArt Website...