1:48 Razorback P 47's of the 56th Fighter Group

The Wolfpack at the close of 1943

The sheet covers a pair of early Thunderbolts of the 56th Fighter Group, that is the unit that earned the nickname Wolfpack in England and became the most successful formation of the Eighth Air Force flying this type. Both subjects offered carry serial numbers from 1941 and fall into the period when the group was still building its reputation.

The first option is a D version with serial number 41-6268 and the fuselage code UN-P, assigned to the 63rd Fighter Squadron at the end of 1943. The second subject is an older C version, serial number 41-6401, coded HV-G with the 61st Fighter Squadron in the same period. Both aircraft then wore an olive green finish with a light gray underside and contrasting recognition bands, which were being introduced in the European theater precisely in the fall of that year.

What the sheet holds and how to work with it

The printing is done on a continuous carrier film, so the individual markings are cut out separately. It is advisable to even the base out with gloss varnish first, so that air bubbles do not settle under a decal. Once dry a decal softener is used, which draws the film into the panel lines and rivets, and a final matte layer reliably hides the edges.

The scope corresponds to two complete machines including national insignia, fuselage letters and identification numbers. Anyone building a gallery of one unit will appreciate that the two subjects differ in version as well as squadron, so they do not come across as two identical models side by side. The package holds only the printed sheet; the builder provides the kit and paints separately.