P47D Thunderbolts - 2 new/updated kits

[airdave]

Two NEW 2nd Gen* P47 kits just added to the shop. Paper Model Shop Home

Soon to be added to ecardmodels.

*reminder: 2nd Gen kits have upgraded parts, new artwork, full Cockpit, landing gear bays, and metallic skin.

P47D Maj Mac and P17D Slick Chick.

Maj Mac is undergoing test build right now...I may have some photos to share soon.
Slick Chick, I may have to build myself, if I can find the time.

As usual if anyone wants to build a kit, and send me photos, I will supply another FREE kit for you to build.

[Don Boose]

Got 'em! They look good.

Don

[airdave]

lol Thanks Don.
Your support is always appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Don Boose]

I note that in your introductory comments for the models, you say, "With a roomy and comfortable armored cockpit, the P-47 was also one of the safest Fighters to pilot."

Although I cannot find the source reference just now, I recall reading an account in which a Spitfire pilot, upon seeing a P-47 for the first time said something to the effect that if you came under attack in one of these, you could just slip out of the harness and dodge around inside the cockpit.

In any event, I must say that these models are beautiful - of course the Jug was a good-looking airplane to start with, but your instructions are superb and the colors, textures, and design of the models are wonderful.

Don

[airdave]

I appreciate the comments, Don.

lol I'm not sure theres enough room in any Fighter to 'dodge around'
but the P47 did have a bit more room and protection.
As far as I know, most Fighters had an armour plate behind the Pilot's seat,
but I think it was considerably thicker on the P47.

But nothing like the current Thunderbolt, with its armoured 'tub' around the Pilot.

...
Just did some quick reading...
Bubbletop and Razorback P47s had a 1/2" armoured steel plate behind the seat
and another smaller plate forward, behind the Instrument Panel.
(I thought I read that the seat plate thickness was increased in later models, but I could be wrong)

While the clear bubbletop canopy may have offered more visibility
it also exposed the Pilot more...
the Pilot was much more hidden from view in a Razorback P47.
Both styles offered tempered safety glass panels up front.

[airdave]

Sorry to say, most likely another case of "modeler's misinformation"...
each modeler just copying the last one, without researching for themselves.

Since I am continuing my updates of P47 kits, I am currently working on a couple of P47Ns.
Late and post second World War fighters.

As I search the internet, going from article to article,
profile artworks and scale model builds...
I'm having a hard time confirming the serial number of this P-47N "Chautauqua".
Every (modeler/artist) source identifies this aircraft as P-47N-2-RE which it is not.
So, is the serial number also incorrect?

I only have a couple of photos of this plane, neither showing the serial number clearly.

First I looked through the USAAF serial number catalog,
a/c #44-88259 (the claimed serial of Chautauqua) identifies as a P-47N-1-RE.
There is no other info attached regarding 44-88259.

Having done a bit more research, this entire block of P47Ns (549 aircraft)
are build "1-RE"...however some of these Thunderbolts were retrofitted
with wing mounts for Rockets ('Rocket Stubs'), and those P47Ns were redesignated as "2-RE".

The rocket mounts were fitted on the underside of the wings, outside of the Fuel Tank pods,
and because I have a photo that clearly shows this area of Chautauqua's wings, I can confirm
that this Thunderbolt was not retrofitted in this way.
So unless someone can provide proof that Chatauqua was retrofitted after this photo was taken,
I have to assume that every online source is incorrect.

That still doesnt help me with the serial number.
Right now I am looking through my aircraft books, and few more online publications, trying to confirm the serial.

Stay tuned.

[airdave]

Think I added my last post to the wrong thread.
Thats what you get for not paying attention! lol

I'll go look see if I have a thread dedicated to my P47 designs (in general).

My apologies.