Tamiya's 1/48 scale
P-47D Thunderbolt

by Esteban Murador

Tamiya's 1/48 scale P-47D Thunderbolt is available online from Squadron.com

Major George E. Preddy was one of the highest scoring American aces of World War II.

Like several other American aces, he initially saw action flying a P-40E Warhawk in New Guinea and Northern Australia during 1942.

Preddy’s first documented aircraft to carry “CRIPES A’MIGHTY" was not a P-40, nor a P-51 but a P-47D Thunderbolt (Razorback) Jug. It was finished in Olive Drab over Neutral Grey plus white ETO bands on the engine cowl, tail and stabilizers. Aircraft codes of HO P were also white. On the port side you can clearly see too small symbols of the “gold fish” and “caterpillar”. Black and White main wheel covers and first victory cross.

The photograph I was provided of this aircraft showed one victory cross even though he managed to gain 2 more victories.

Note that the fuel tank is not a 108-gallon drop tank nor a 150-gallon drop tank that most P-47's carried,

Preddy’s P-47 carried a 75-gallon drop tank. The drop tank was carefully assembled to match Preddy’s Jug.

With the help of Tamiya’s 1/48 Thunderbolt and three different decal sheets, I was able to produce this wonderful looking aircraft. Read more on this plastic model aircraft at http://www.ModelAces.com

 

Additional Images

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Modelling the P-47 Thunderbolt Osprey Modelling 11 Author: Brett Green US Price: $17.95 UK Price: £12.99 Publisher: Osprey Publishing Publish Date:  July 25, 2004 Details: 80 pages; ISBN: 1841767956 Shop Buy it from Osprey Publishing

Images and Text Copyright © 2005 by Esteban Murador
Page Created 21 January, 2005
Last Updated 21 January, 2005

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