August 19, 2025

Preview: MiniArt's 48th scale P-47N Thunderbolt in CAD & Art...

MiniArt's new 1/48th scale P-47N is with us in box art & CAD form. We look at the renders of their first "N" model release, the box art & the marking choices in real life in our preview...

Preview: MiniArt's 48th scale P-47N Thunderbolt in CAD & Art...

P-47N Thunderbolt
From MiniArt Models
Kit No: 48064
1/48th scale
The kit contains two marking choices in the box.
Full engine & weighted wheels, clear parts are included
The subject: The P-47N Thunderbolt
The P-47N, the final variant of the Thunderbolt, was designed to support long-range missions in the Pacific, particularly escorting B-29 formations. Its notable features included enhanced fuel capacity and improved wing design, which allowed it to fly further and perform vital combat roles, including sweeps and shipping strikes over the Home Islands.

We will show you the two marking choices in this boxing in this section: first, the 318th FG 73rd FS - "Sack Happy" - flown by Lt. Robert Redfields.
Although its arrival was late into WWII, the P-47N demonstrated the potential of a long-range, radial-engine fighter. It played an important role in the Pacific theatre but had limited operational time before the war ended.

Compared with late P-47D “bubbletop” models, the N had a revised, longer‑span wing with squared tips and big “wet” fuel bays that pushed internal capacity past the 500‑gallon mark. Structural strengthening, revised ailerons, and dive‑recovery refinements kept it controllable at high speed, while an uprated R‑2800 with water injection and tweaked turbo gear gave strong cruise and high‑altitude performance. Weight rose, takeoff runs lengthened, and low‑altitude agility didn’t improve, but the trade delivered what mattered in the Pacific: a range approaching roughly 2,000 miles with drop tanks, a top speed in the mid‑to‑high‑460s mph at altitude, and the same eight .50‑caliber guns with full fighter‑bomber stores.

Another shot of Lieutenant Robert W. Redfield's "Sack Happy," This kite (you cannot see it in these photos - features the yellow and black striped tail over natural metal.
In 1945, the P-47N entered service with squadrons based on Ie Shima and Okinawa. Its advanced range allowed it to escort B-29s on their long hauls, providing much-needed protection for strategic raids over Japan.

From left to right, Lt. DeVona, Lt. Millet, Lt. O'Hara, and Lt. Spivey in front of Lt. Robert Redfield's P-47N "Sack Happy."
In service, the P-47N arrived in 1945 and equipped units like the 318th and 413th Fighter Groups operating from Ie Shima and Okinawa. They flew very‑long‑range bomber escort when routeing and staging made it feasible, but just as often they conducted fighter sweeps, anti‑shipping strikes, interdiction, and B‑29/B‑24 support missions on the approaches to the Home Islands. The N’s reliability, turbo performance at altitude, and ability to lug fuel and ordnance made it a natural for the theatre’s weather, salt air, and long over‑water legs.

 The second marking choice - the P-47N-1-RE 44-87979, 34th FTR SQ, 413TH FG, 1945 "Knocked Up"
After the war, P/F‑47Ns continued in U.S. reserve service and abroad, but their defining chapter was those final months—huge wings full of fuel, .50s bristling, pushing deep over the ocean to bring the fight home.

The kit: MiniArt's 48th scale P-47N
The "Basic Kit" version of the Republic P-47N Thunderbolt from Miniart in 1/48th scale. This will be one of the more popular and well-kitted variants.

The feature set of the kit: The CAD drawings show us the feature set of this version of the Thunderbolt.

A full Pratt & Whitney R-2800-57 engine is included in the box. Wiring harnesses are the only thing you need to add, one would think.
A view of the opened cockpit of the P-47N. Both opened and closed canopies are included in the box.
The flat floor and extra bomb toggles can be seen in this detailed view of the cockpit.
A walk around the full aircraft. A filled tail, squared-off wingtips and extra antennae are the most obvious external changes present in these views.
The tail fillet is obvious from this shot. The large drop tanks under the wing let us know that MiniArt has supplied their excellent range of tanks and bombs with this version.
From underneath you can see the dive brakes near the gear legs under the wings. You can see one of them under the wings near the wheels.
The other main difference in this variant can be seen here: the squared-off wingtips are synonymous with the N variant.
Open or closed canopies are, of course, included, as are the options for the open or closed cowl flaps.

Markings:
Inside the kit there will be two marking choices. P-47N-1-RE 44-87979, 34th FTR SQ, 413th FG, 1945 "Knocked Up" & P-47N-1-RA 44-88320, 73D FTR SQ, 318TH FG, flown by LT. Redfield, 1945 "Sack Happy."

We will have more on this kit, including other markings & more features, as they come to us.

This kit should be available soon (not sure when) from MiniArt's distributors worldwide. You can see more about this kit on the MiniArt Website...