Great to see another Thunderbolt build! (did I mention that I love this plane?) That engine looks awesome! The cockpit color seems to be a bit light IMO, but I suppose it's just the picture?

I have the same kit in my stash (the build is scheduled for late 2014) and I originally planned on building "Raid Hot Mama" as well, but then I changed my mind and got me the decal sheet with "Magic Carpet" (those NMF wings just look too nice not to build her)

BTW, don't build the supercharger assembly or the plumbing for it. They can cause all sorts of fit issues if they aren't aligned perfectly and you'll never see them anyway...

The lightness is a result of my tinkering with the photos. It's much darker. I generally darken and cool photos since the white balance on my camera usually makes it bright and hotter. When I did so with that pic the green nearly disappeared to the black background.

Great looking R-2800! I'll be following closely; that kit is on my must-build lists and it'll be fun to see what you do with it.

Mike

Nice start.  I like the oil splatter idea.  You could also try Tamiya Smoke lightly sprayed on the cylinder heads which gives them a convincing used look.  My research when I built Gentile's early D-5 showed that not all P-47's had Dull Dark Green interiors.  Some early production razorbacks were done in interior green.  I suppose you could get away with either since yours is a razorback.  I'll be watching your progress.

Joe

Thanks for checking in everyone.

Joe, it does appear that I could have gone either way with cockpit color. I opted for this color over the interior green color mostly because I've used that color on so many past builds.

Anyway, for the life of me I can not get pictures to be truly representative of what the color is to my eyes...one of the problems with relying on camera phones I guess. I only deal with the other camera for finished pics.

The HGW belts are tedious for me so I broke putting them together over several sessions. Half way done:

Detail painted the sidewalls (note my color selection or specific little details is somewhat artistic in choice. My brain hurts if I even consider trying to dig thorough reference photos to be 100% correct...so visual interest is the goal. Doesn't sit well with a lot of people but oh well.

Hit this with a little dry brushed aluminum and gloss coated in anticipation of a wash.

Looks great.  I really like the engine. Looks like you could just crank her over and she'd be up and running.

Best, Marty

Sharp work on the engine and cockpit so far!

I built 'Raid Hot Mama' in 1/48th a few years back, looking forward to seeing her done up in 1/32nd.

good start on a unique subject, cant wait to see the progression

Those cockpit sidewalls look fan-fri´ggin'-tastic! The HGW belts sure are a lot of work, but they are well worth it IMO...

Many thanks to all that check in and comment.

Figured it was time for another update. Now that the FW 190 is off the line I can really get going.

Finished the pit off with a light wash and hit is with a flat coat. Added some wiring to the rear of the IP since it's a bit visable through the canopy.

I got the fuse closed up. Wasn't pretty...but it's done...there are a few other things I've done...more pics later.

Great Work, but please paint the area behind the seat O.D. unless there's a reference saying otherwise.

Thanks for the input..no matter how tactless it was. Oh...how about a reference that it's supposed to be OD? No? Ok thanks.  Bye :)

dlfu78,

Beautiful work on the cockpit and the engine is a real work of art!  Love P-47s. 

As to colors, I usually just follow along with this unless there's evidence to the contrary.

http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/magazine/2004/02/stuff_eng_interior_colours_us_part2.htm

Look forward to your next update!

Gary

Love the thread title, really punny, nice work as well,  

dflu78. Sorry if I rubbed you the wrong way. I was trying to help you make a more accurate P-47. The 'War' over the color of the rear deck color has been fought and won by those in the know; O.D razorbacks had the rear deck O.D. NMF razorbacks had a NMF rear decks. I'm sure you weren't saying I was wrong, just tactless. I can live with that:)

Nice extra detailing you added Jimmy,looks great

Nice 'pit Dflu.  I'm looking forward to seeing your progress.  There's plently more knowledgeable than me, but I've seen that rear deck done in dull dark green, interior green, heck even, in neutral grey which looks kind of cool too.  I did the same as you with my D-5 and used the interior color.  Leftie, thanks for the info, but I too would like to know where battle was fought regarding the color of the rear deck.  Is there an article or thread I can read somewhere?

Joe  

Dana Bell covered the subject very well over at Hyperscale. Just go to the discussion forum and search "P47 rear deck color". Hope that helps.

I don't sweat that stuff. I use F.I.C.E. (Fudge it, close enough) and TLAR (that looks about right) modeling philosophies. I don't mind an education on these issues if it's provide in some form other than "you need to fix that or you're an idiot." Which is basically what 75% of comments like the one in the previous page amount to.

A couple ways to handle this:

1. Don't look in and comment on my builds if you don't like how I do it.

2. PayPal me the cost of the kit and supplies and I'll build it your way.

3. Point out concerns in a thoughtful manner and don't get belligerent when I decide to do it my way.

And no real direct hostility toward the original commenter. I see this junk all the time though and it gets to a point that I just rage when it happens to me. I'm not building museum pieces. It's my hobby and I'll do it my way and frankly 99% of the "rivet counting" is just weenie shaking and I bore of it.

Oh...and the single fastest way to get me to tune out of anything you can say about color is to reference Dana Bell.