1/48 Hasegawa P-47D Thunderbolt

Gallery Article by Jim Fox

 

This is Hasegawa’s P-47D Thunderbolt in 1/48th scale. This kit was a major milestone for me as I conquered those dreaded freehand demarcation lines (Thanks to David Lake for letting me use his Paasche V). Since my return to the modeling world after a 7 year break (before that I was young and just slapped them together), and is only the 5th aircraft model I’ve built in the past 3 years.

 

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As usual I started with the cockpit and used Polly Scale’s Bronze green. It then got treated with a wash of indigo ink and highlighted with a dry brushing of silver and white. I applied drops of future to the dials to simulate the glass.

The kit was built mostly box stock. I replaced the gun barrels with hypodermic tubing and replaced the kit control stick with a homemade version (Who knows where the kit one is?). The decals are from Aeromaster’s U.S. Aircraft in French Service (#48-081) and depicts aircraft 44-19698 a P-47D-28-RE of GC II/5 Lafayette from Amberieu, France (1944).

The exterior was painted Model Master’s OD Green over Model Master’s Neutral Grey. After the decals were sealed with future, I applied a wash of burnt umber which shows well on the underside but the upper surfaces it’s hard to tell. Also a light brushing of chalk pastels was applied for exhaust and gun streaking.

Overall I had no major problems with the kit other than the fuselage to wing joint on the lower surface and my usual seam problems. Of the 5 aircraft I have built so far, this is my favorite. Probably cause it looks the best, although my Checkertail P-51D will give it a run for its money.

Jim Fox

      

Photos and text © by Jim Fox