Going to do my first modern Tamiya kit (no joke) for the Normandy GB. That will be the P-47D Razorback. Heard it’s a good one. That era of Jug would have come in when the USAAF was shifting from olive drab/gray to NMF. As I understand it, using up existing stocks etc left a number of USAAF planes kind of “half breeds” with some OD and some NMF. I think the Revell Pony suggests one for its paint job. It’s a very neat paint job. (Think DoogAtx had a Jug with NMF wings but no stripes.) I’d like one for a jug - particularly if it has invasion stripes or is operating with a unit that would have had them. Any tips from jug fans for a web site or book?
Eric, the Tamiya Razorback is in my top three of the best model kits ever made. As a matter of fact, I’m considering building another one soon. Anyways, I’m no expert, but I know C and early D Jugs started out OD over NG in Europe but this changed as the war progressed. Some FGs, such as the 56th, used RAF stock to camo their Jugs in the field. Towards D-day and beyond, most USAAC fighters were natural metal, but of course there were exceptions. I would suggest finding yourself a set of decals for a Jug that flew on D-day and go from there. Most decal makers are good with color call outs on their particular subject. Ebay is a great place to find P-47 decals. Also, tape off and paint in your D-day stripes in lieu of using the decals. You’ll thank me later…
Its not exctly a website, but here’s my build of the Tamiya Razorback from last year.
Dana Bell’s “Air Force Colors”, volume 2 has one OD razorback with stripes. Google Images has a few photos of both OD and stripped NMF RB’s with stripes under the P-47 razorback heading. And there is one from the 5th Emergency Rescue Squadron which could be done with white generic squadron codes, 5F-A. The problem is that the RB’s were being phased out at this time as War Weary so there wouldn’t be many to choose from. A few bomber groups picked them up as hacks, such as the ones used by the 303rd BG.
Lawdog is right; find the scheme you like and work from there. There are lots of great decal sheets out there and the P-47 is well covered for various schemes: NMF, OD/NG, and in British paint camo. I definitely agree with painting your own invasion stripes. I tried using decals and they worked alright, but it took a heck of a fight to get them to settle down. A few months later, a section started to peel off. Still haven’t figured out how to repair it…Good luck with your project!