P-47D Thunderbolt

by Brian Criner

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

This is Tamiya's 1/48 scale P-47D Razorback. This was the model used for the Fine Scale Modeller ad (shown in flight with a patriot motto). My friend, Stan Spooner, whose company, Creative Pull, did the ad for Tamiya, was unable to fit the build into his busy schedule. He asked if I would be willing to be the first person in the area to get a Tamiya Jug and build it!

Yeah baby!

The model was to be built out of the box with kit decals, simple enough. Problem was, the kit I got was not in a box. It was in bubblewrap, with directions in Japanese.

The photos in the instructions were the templates for the illustrations that eventually became the directions. Each step in the instructions showed a partially completed model (or the appropriate part being assembled) sprayed silver.

Well, long story short, I was able to figure out the construction without a hitch.

Decals, though, were a problem. I had a 5 foot by 3 foot color poster that showed the side views of the different aircraft offered by the kit. The poster was an enlargement (very cool by the way, although I wasn't able to keep it), so the resolution was a bit poor. There were no number references for where the decals were supposed to go, so out came the references for some backup. I believe I may have missed a couple.

A funny side note to the build. Stan was on a pretty tight schedule, and needed the model soon. I was out building that sucker late into the evening several nights in a row. I had just finished decaling the cowl and was admiring my handwork when suddenly I realized I forgotten to paint in the nuetral gray on the bottom. I had a beautiful red cowl ring, gorgeous decals on a cowl that was completely Olive Drab. Talk about an Oh S#*t moment! Not five seconds after I had realized my mistake, Stan called for a progress report. I must have sounded a bit hesitant (an understatement to say the least) because Stan suddenly got worried and said something like "You didn't screw it up did ya?) No, no says I. It looks perfect.

As soon as I got off the phone, I went out and made up a paper mask that would not harm the decal, and after 30 minutes, I had the problem fixed. I called Stan back and confessed my mistake.

I think he may have cussed at, I don't really remember!

 

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Model, Images and Text Copyright © 2003 by Brian Criner
Page Created 13 October, 2003
Last Updated 05 May, 2005

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