1:32 P-47C/D Razorback Decal Sheet

Two subvariants, one squadron

What is special about this printing is that it brings together subjects from two consecutive production series of the Thunderbolt. Between them, mainly the details of the engine installation and the internal equipment changed, but the shape of the rear fuselage stayed the same on both, that is, with a high spine behind the pilot's area. For the modeler a pleasant thing follows from that: according to which kit he has on the bench, he picks the matching variant without having to hunt down two separate sheets or compromise on the markings of the machine.

The man who became an American in England

The first subject is machine 42-7945 with the letter D and the inscription Miss Plainfield. It was flown by Spiros Pisanos, a native of Greece who came to flying by a roundabout route through the merchant marine and the Royal Air Force, and who gained American citizenship only during his service in the islands. The second option is aircraft 41-6410 with the letter Y and the name Little Butch, at whose controls Captain William Smith used to sit. Both machines carried the fuselage letters QP and belonged to the same squadron of the Eighth Air Force, which escorted daylight bomber formations from English bases.

Building recommendation

Before you set about sticking them on, compare the subject you have chosen with the instructions for the kit, because the series differ from each other in details. The nose inscription belongs on a smooth gloss surface and once dry it is fixed by a clear coat. Under large elements it pays to prepare a test impression on a scrap of film. The sheet is sold on its own and there are no plastic parts in it.