Tamiya P-47 Question

Hey guys, can anybody confirm the purpose of the slot on the bottom of the fuselage of this kit, the slot is on the belly, almost in line with the trailing edge of the wings. I can’t see any sign of it in any reference photos I have, even under-belly shots. The painting and decaling guide with the instructions also shows the slot but what is it’s purpose and should it even be there? This question was posted on another forum but didn’t turn up much in the way of definitive info. Just thought I would ask here before I get the filler out as I don’t think it’s supposed to be there. Thanks.[%-)]

Cheers…Snowy.

hmmm[?]…i’ve got tamiya’s bubbletop kit at home…i’ll take a look when i get back from work this evening for you…not promising anything tho’!![:p]
regards,
nick

If it’s on the pilot’s side, I would imagie it’s a step to put your foot into to step up and onto the wing?? Keyworth would know better than I-- the Jug is his favorite [;)]

What scale? I’m building a 1/72 Academy P-47 and I don’t have one.

Ajacketsfan, it’s the 1/48 scale kit. Mike, It can’t be a pilot’s step as it’s directly under the fuselage. Nick, mine is the Razorback but I reckon yours will have it too, as Tamiya obviously seem to think it it supposed to be there. Thanks.

Cheers…Snowy.

hey snowy[:)]
…good job i didn’t promise anything either!![:p] just took a look and i see the slit you refer to but i have no idea why it’s there!!! sorry i couldn’t help.[V]
regards,
nick

Sorry Snowy-- I misread. Maybe it’s the relief tube drainage?? Is it under the cockpit?? I am having trouble picturing it without looking at an actual model…Keyworth would really probably know this one…

I’ve got the bubble top on my work bench right now. To me, that slot almost looks like it’s made to insert some sort of stand. Possible for an in-flight model. Be nice if the instructions told you what to do with it. I’ll probably fill in mine. I’ve done several jugs from other companies and none of them has this hole in the bottom of it…

jew0312, the slot is even drawn on the painting/decaling instructions in my kit. Almost like it’s meant to be there. It’s no big drama for me personally, I’m not a rivet counter, just thought it interesting it was there considering the accuracy Tamiya got with the rest of the kit. I have seen online reviews of this kit with fantastically detailed and well built models (obviously with a decent amount of research done), yet none have mentioned the mysterious slot. I’d hate to see someone dead serious put in all that work only to miss a detail like that on thier finished masterpiece.[B)]

Cheers…Snowy.

Yeah, I agree. I’m not a rivet counter, either. But I would like to know what it is. I at first thought it might be an install point for the rear of an extended fuel tank, or something like that.

Well, maybe we’ll hear about it down the road, sometime…