Thinking two builds ahead I’m looking at a P-47. Noticed that there seems to be a number of interesting kits out there from Hasegawa, Academy amd Tamiya. I’m really interested in what kit provides the most detail in a 1/48 scale. Squandron is taking advance orders for a Tamiya the Republic P-47M Thunderbolt. Is this a new kit or a reissue? Any recommendations?
The P-47M from Tamiya is a new release, but most of the kit will be the P-47D Bubbletop. It will include the rear dorsal fin seen on many late model D BT’s.
Regards, Rick
I built the newly issued 1/48 Tamiya Razorback P-47 and it was an awesome build. Great detail, but I also added the Eduards color PE set, which just added to the beauty. I highly recommend either of the three new Tamiya P-47s (Razorback, Bubbletop and now the P-47M).
Best P-47’s in 1/48 scale? It has to be the Tamiya kits. They beat the other kits in detail, fit and quality every time. Darren.
The Academy kits aren’t bad. The issue with them is a seam that cuts thruogh the wheel well that is near impossible to fill and a whole bunch of very small access panels that appear to be 1" scale thickness above the surface of the wings, when it should be flush.
I had a great time building the Tamiya Razorback earlier this year. It was a great kit, and the out-of-the-box detail was great. The only aftermarket piece it really NEEDS, imho, is a seatbelt. I don’t like the decal seatbelt Tamiya provides.
To further what Rick said, the Tamiya P-47M kit will include the following:
3 dorsal fin options - no fin, straight fin, and P-47N type fin (at least 2 63rd FS P-47M’s had the N type fin)
The 130 production P-47M’s were D-30 airframes with the engine and prop as used in the N, so the kit will have these D-30 features:
Compressibility flaps, outboard landing light, flat cockpit floor.
I believe the P-47M’s had the K14 gunsight - not sure if that is included or not.
There will also be the different engine front as seen on the “C” series of PW R2800 engine as used in the P-47M and N. If the original engine front is still included it will allow the building of a P-47D-30.
From what I understand there will be no new prop for the M. The symmetrical paddle bladed prop as used on the P-47M & N is not the same as used on the D. I don’t think reshaping the prop blades & cuffs will be that big of a deal.