P-47 Thunderbolt

This is an airplane I started for eScale.  It is a Hasegawa P-47D in 1/32 scale.  This is the first airplane I had done in over twenty years.  

The cockpit is done.  Next I need to join the fuselage halves.  I'm a little nervous about this because of the seam line.  Wish me luck!

That is one fine cockpit! Re the seams, the sanding is my PITA on aircraft builds.

On a 1/48 B-29 I worked out I sanded 10 feet of seams. Then scribed the panel lines.

I use super glue as a filler & sand over a bowl of water in front of the TV.

Then rescribe panel lines as required.

I know what you mean Chris.  Doing the seams on aircraft is a real pain !!

I glued the fuselage halves together.  Also got the wings assembled.

If you look closely, you'll see some P-47s in this lot. About 40 C-47s, and I didn't even try to count the A-20s & P-38s.
There's also about 8 P-61s too.

Somewhere in New Guinea. Even into the 70s there were big piles of scrapped airframes at Nadzap, near where I grew up.

Nothing like this though. I still have a .50 Cal round from there though.

WOW   that is a lot of scrapped airplanes!!!

I did get some more done.  The engine has been painted, assembled and installed, along with the cowling.
I also got the bottom painted.

 

That picture of te scrapped planes is something else. Thanks for sharing it Chris.

For some reason, I've been motivated to stay on this one.   Got the top painted Ocean Grey with Dark Green camo markings.   Did I mention that this is the first model I have painted with an airbrush?  I don't know how I've been able to get along without one.

Thanks Bruce

Some more progress.  The kit comes with decals to do the white part of the invasion stripes, but not the black.  So I had to airbrush those on.   I also got the red for the nose and tail painted.  

I've never done so much masking on one model before.  I feel like I should buy stock in 3M!

I felt the same way after I used my airbrush for the first time. I know what you mean. Looking good Paul.

Nice work Paul. The pictures of the aircraft graveyard were really cool. The box art is interesting how long have you had this one in your stash?

Thanks Chris. It wasn't in the stash very long.

Well, here it is, it's finished. My first airplane build in over twenty-five years. Not exactly as good as I would want it, but I learned a lot of new things from it.





More pics at
https://skidsplace.forumotion.com/t8-p-47-thunderbolt

 

Sorry I missed seeing this one. Great work and yes, an air brush can make a huge difference. Paint brush with the old thick enamel paint wiped out detail and for many types of models it is essential. However, as Dr. Cranky on You Tube has shown, one can weather vehicles with rattle cans and stencils and masking off areas too. Luv the P-47, the cockpit is amazing in detail!