To my fellow forum members,
I’ll be building this kit straight OOB. The version that will be built is DRINK’N SISTER of which was flown by Captain John E. Vogt, who became an ace on a single mission by downing 5 Japanese aircraft on May 28, 1945.
This P-47N-2-RE was assigned to the 19th Fighter Squadron of the 318th Fighter Group. Please sit back and I hope you follow and enjoy this build as much as I will! Thank you for your support my FSM Forum members.
Toshi
I forgot to add that I purchased this kit on eBay on a bid process for $10.00. Free shipping and handling. No one bid on it so I’m glad I got it for such a price point.
As you can see this kit was a factory sealed product originally purchased at Hobby Lobby back in the day. This will be a fun and exciting OOB build as the last three builds were pretty intense with Big Ed Sets.
Toshi
Hey Toshi, this looks like a fun kit. You might want to test the decals with a section not needed on the model. Looks like this has been sitting around for a while.
After the last couple of builds you have done, this should be relaxing. LOL.
Looking forward to seeing what you do with this.
D
I am just putting the finishing touchs on this exact kit. Watch the decals as they are old and mine shattered. I was able to save the nose art and tail numbers, all others fell apart. It’s a nice kit with only minor issues easily overcome. Looking forward to seeing yours.
BK
I’ll be watching this one most eagerly as well. I’m working on the same kit but with the “Red-E-Ruth” markings and blue tail trim. The model is all primed up. Now I just need to find/make the time to apply the NMF paint job. I’m torn between if I want to use the Alclad Airframe Aluminum or if I want to take the SnJ metal powder route. It’s a great kit of my favorite version of the Thunderbolt! Eric
Just checking on you Toshi. I’m between models with other frivolous projects but I need to stay in touch with the gang. The model was a great buy and Thunderbolts are good subjects, looks to be a fun build!
Max
My [2cnts]. As the decals are very old, I would play it safe by spraying a couple of light coats of Testors Decal Bonder on them letting them dry overnight between coats. The only problem then would be that you have to cut out each decal separately and accurately as the spray turns the sheet into one whole decal. Have always had good luck any time I used this method.
Hope that this helps.
Jim [cptn]
Looks cool Toshi, I enjoyed that kit and I think you should too. Kinda weird engineering in places, the gear legs and doors are molded in one piece so you can’t attach the gear after painting her. And the wing mold lines are in the middle of the flaps instead of on the flap lines, so that’s more work to sand and putty. Still I liked the kit, after all it’s a Jug and you can’t beat that by much!
It definitely looks like a fun kit plus, I don’t have a WWII era Thunderbolt in my collection so this will be fun at best! I’ll definitely have to do something with the decals and test them out as you highly recomend.
It is definitely an old school kit especially since it’s a Monogram. Yes, it’s been sitting around for awhile as the plastic wrap on it was dusty as well. I have to agree with you in that the last three builds I did were somewhat complex with PE and or a high parts count so this build should be relaxing as you correctly noted! I’ll definitely have fun with this kit. Thank you for following, read, and replying on my builds. You’re a good friend!
Toshi
Wow, that’s pretty cool in that you’re building this same kit as well. Thank you for the tip on the decals and letting me know (Heads up) of some very minor issues with this build. I’ll definitely look forward in assembling this kit. If you have the time, please post a photo of your completed Thunderbolt on my WIP pages. I’d love to see your expertise! Thanks for your support as well as stopping by.
Toshi
Thank you echolmberg for stopping by and keeping an eye on my WIP on this Monogram 1/48 Thunderbolt. I too was considering the “Red-E-Ruth” markings but Mrs. Toshi chose the other markings by default. As I mentioned to BrandonK, if you have the time, please post a photo of your build on my WIP thread. I’d love to see your build very much. This sounds very exciting!
Toshi
Thank you sir for checking in on me. I know you’re a very busy individual. And thank you very much for keeping in touch with the gang as you mentioned above. It was Mrs. Toshi that found this kit at such a great price point. She’s the real deal maker in this household. I can’t complain! lol! I’m glad I’m building this Thunderbolt as I don’t have one in my collection. Thank you so very much for taking the time out and supporting my Thunderbolt thread!
Toshi
Your insight is flawless sir. You must be a mind reader! Thank you for the tip. I read here on this forum of the technique used to hold older decals together with what you have described above. I happened to see this product at Hobby Lobby and just picked it up on a whim. I hope this is the correct product?
I purchased Testors Decal Bonder Spray #9200. If this is the right product of which I think it is, I’ll follow your instructions to the T and do so by as you said spraying a light coat, letting it dry overnight and to spray another light coat and letting that dry overnight as well. Then to carefully cut out the decals. Thank you fox for this wonderful tip. You just saved me a ton of headaches and heartaches! lol! Thank you sir not only for helping me with this decal issue of which I am very grateful sir but for your support in my projects for the last two and a half years I’ve been building on FSM Forums!
Toshi
That’s pretty cool that you just built this kit and enjoyed it. You know me by now, I enjoy almost any kit that I can assemble! lol! Thank you for the tip in the gear legs and doors. That is extremely useful information. Also, the information about the wing mold lines and filling them in with putty is great, I can now keep an eye out for that. Gamera, thank you so very much for watching my back and always supporting my builds! I am forever grateful for this!
Toshi
Toshi: When I got home I started rooting around my decal dungeon and found the decals for my Revell P-47N. Since I used an aftermarket set I hadn’t used them at all. So if you want them I’ll mail you this set for ‘Lil’ Meaty’s Meat Chopper’ with the rather strange and a bit disturbing baby wearing a derby and holding a cleaver for free.
On the other hand I think you said you and the mrs. were originally from Hawaii? AeroMaster makes a really cool Hawaiian National Guard set with a big dolphin or fish on the side of her. The set is marked for the Academy P-47N but I don’t see any reason it wouldn’t work with the Revell kit.
I found a couple for sale on the web:
Very Cool Subject!
Late war, Pacific, Hot-Rod Jug! I’ll be watching.
Gee Gamera! You bring tears of joy to my old eyes. I’m going to try the Testors Decal Bonder Spray #9200 first and see how that comes out. If it doesn’t, then I’ll PM you my address and we can work something out sir. Thank you for thinking of me, I’m so humbled!
Toshi
I wasn’t even thinking about this aircraft to purchase. I just saw a 1/48 kit at a zero bid with a starting bid of $9.99 on it. So I bid $10.00. No one wanted a sealed kit so I got it shipped to me very prmptly. Great Seller!
Then when I saw it I thought wow, I’ve no Thunderbolts in my collections. No Promodeler nor Monogram. So I felt I scored good on this kit!
Toshi
P.S. Thank you for taking the time out and following this work.
Hey Toshi, no problems. Good luck with the decal bonder and if it doesn’t work out these decals will be right here.
Thank you so much for thinking of me! I will definitely experiment with the Testors Decal Bonder Spray. If it goes south, I’ll touch base with you. Once again, thank you so very much!
Toshi