October 07, 2025

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

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


Preview: MiniArt's 48th scale P-47M Thunderbolt in CAD, features & art...

P-47M Thunderbolt - Advanced kit.
From MiniArt Models
Kit No: 48032
1/48th scale
The kit contains two marking choices in the box.
A full engine & weighted wheels and clear parts are included
The Subject: The P-47M thunderbolt
The Republic P-47M Thunderbolt was an enhanced, high-speed variant of the P-47D, designed for rapid interception and ground attack, featuring a powerful Pratt & Whitney R-2800-59 engine with a turbosupercharger for high-altitude performance, a lightweight airframe for better speed, and a revised cowling for improved engine cooling to allow for sustained high-speed operation. This resulted in a very fast, capable fighter that maintained the Thunderbolt's robust build and heavy armament of eight .50-calibre machine guns, along with an increased bomb and rocket load for attacking ground targets.

The colour schemes represented in this kit are in the preview, like this P-47M-1-RE 44-21140 UN-Fbar “Darling Dottie (L)/Shoot You’re Faded (R)” of Capt. Walter L. Flagg, Conimicut, RI, 63rd Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, is seen undergoing maintenance and boresighting at its Boxted airbase, UK.
The P-47M was powered by the Pratt & Whitney R-2800-59 Double Wasp radial engine, which provided exceptional power at high altitudes due to its advanced turbosupercharger system. This enabled the aircraft to achieve higher speeds and reach higher service ceilings compared to earlier models. The "M" model had an increased altitude, from 24,500 ft to 32,000 ft, and a new propeller gear ratio changing the max RPM to 2800 from 2700, and subsequently a higher military power of 2100 hp. It also had a slightly longer fuselage due to the new propeller hub (but only by a 1/4 inch) and added dive recovery flaps.

HV-W Lil' Snorkey seen here in dark blue and red highlighted markings, one of the more ttractive M models to choose from.
The aircraft's airframe was robust, featuring an all-metal, monocoque fuselage designed to withstand significant battle damage. The M model included a revised, lighter airframe and a streamlined cowling to improve cooling and achieve greater speeds.  Like other P-47s, the M model carried eight wing-mounted .50-calibre Browning machine guns, offering devastating firepower for both air-to-air combat and ground attacks.

Another version in this boxing was “Teddy”, a P-47M with the serial no. 44-21117 of the 62nd Fighter Squadron. Her pilot was Major Michael Jackson.
In addition to its guns, the P-47M could be fitted with a heavy bomb and rocket load, including 5-inch rockets, making it effective in the ground-attack role. The specific combination of its powerful engine, high-altitude performance, speed, and armament made the P-47M particularly effective as a high-speed interceptor against enemy bombers and fighters, as well as a formidable ground attack platform.

"Teddy" had a field-applied camouflage. Her pilot, Major Jackson, was credited with 8 aerial victories and a further 5.5 destroyed on the ground.

The kit: MiniArt's 48th scale P-47M Thunderbolt Advanced Kit
 "Advanced Kit" version of the Republic P-47D-25 RE Thunderbolt. We have some CADs that show the differences between the kits and the upgrades (or more extra work – your choice) in the new version. 

First up, we see that this advanced kit is stacked with .50 cals, ammo in the advanced option, with opened or closed gun bays.
The flying surfaces on the kit can also be posed. These flaps are down in the option and up in the version below here.
The other large attention grabber is the R-2800 engine. This can be shown with cowlings on or off. The engine also comes with a wiring harness and photo-etched parts around the firewall. You can display this without the photo-etch if you want.
The cockpit, of course, is another focus point of this kit. The photo-etched harness, gunsight and detail behind the IP are enhanced in thinner material. A view of the cockpit closed up with the PE harness...
The wings, shown here with gun bays open – a feature of the advanced kit – or closed, your choice...
Similar to the basic kit, the plain hub, six- and eight-spoked wheels with diamond and regular cross-patterned tread. Great options. The weighted tailwheel is a feature of this and the basic kit.
The P-47D-25RE could carry a 2,500 lb bomb load, and this one is supplied with 50, 100, 250 & 500 lb bombs and smoke dischargers. Photo-etch is supplied for the fins of these.
The 200-gallon flat and 150-gallon P-38-style external fuel tanks
This kit should be available soon (not sure when) next month from MiniArt's distributors worldwide. You can see more about this kit on the MiniArt website...