WIP Revell P-47D Razorback (Complete)

Brandon:  This is a great start. =]  I wouldn't ever worry about what others out there ought to expect out of a build.  I think there's enough content out there and on the finescale forum as well, that we all like to see something new every once in a while.  I always like seeing somebody scratch out something on their own as well.  If I could make any suggestions, then I'd share something a guy at a hobby shop told me a few years back.  He used to judge at some of these shows too, and he said often times the thickness of certain things (e.g. walls, pipes, pitot tubes, gun barrels, etc.) would be too much and that the more experienced modeler would file and sand these parts down to a more correct thickness.  Little things like that go a long way to help your subject out.  It's not even something most people realize they're seeing, but when it's off...it can seem obviously wrong.

But it's just a suggestion to throw your way.  =]  Some people don't mind things like that too much and some do and want to fix it.  Soooo...that's that.  I do like your solution to the nav lights.  I did something similar on a Corsair but it was way more complicated than I needed to make it and your's seems just as effective.  I'll be following your progress to see how this Revel kit matches up.  

=]

I totally agree with the thickness of items and if this were a serious build I wouldn't accept what I've done. But, I'm just getting my feet under me and experimenting which is kinda fun. But, ya the scale does look off a bit, but I'm not concerned about that on this one. I will be as I get better and expect more perfection from myself. Thanks for the advice, it is appreciated. And will be used.

Of course! You have to get 'em under your belt some how.  =]  I have a Wildcat with a couple of quirks of her own.  One of which in particular were the gun barrels....buuuut I wasn't patient enough to find something smaller that better approximated the scale there so I compromised on that one.  I'll build another one down the road.  But you're right.  That's the perfect kit to try new things with and not some $50-60 kit that you chop all to hell and come out with a bunch of issues to tear apart and fix.  blah!

Keep 'em coming BK.  Any commentary you have on the ease of the kit or troubles along the way are always appreciated.  =]

Yup, that's the way to do it: experiment and learn then go with what you like! Good build so far.

Brandon,

Nice work on the Razorback!  I love a P-47 of any variation.  You're doing a great job of modifying and updating, and I really like the work you've done on the engine.  It's detail is rather lacking and you've gave it a needed overhaul.  And I like brass gun barrels. 

Just for information, and these aren't something you need to worry about, but you might like to know if you build another such as the bubbletop.

The guns were actually installed parallel to the ground, and not to the wing.  It's hard to describe (and I think I have a picture somewhere).  The inner gun was actually a bit higher than the outer gun, so they sort of sloped and had a slight staggered appearance.

The waste gas exhaust did have a flap valve on the end as the model showed.  Modern rebuilt P-47s have removed the turbo-charger system so now have a simple pipe coming out of the side as you have done.

As a warning, the canopy (as you've probably discovered) is not exactly well-fitted.  It's too thick to fit well into the back notches.  I solved the problem by just fastening it in the open position.

Those seam lines in the wheel well where the wing meets the fuselage are a bear to get filled properly.

Look forward to seeing more of your progress!

Gary

Ps> Here's a good picture of the gun layout

https://www.flickr.com/photos/avgeekjoe/5847094135/

Ooh, great stuff. I get what your saying about the guns, it makes sense. And the exhaust was a mystery as I saw it two ways and went with "modern". Oh, well I don't have to fly it, that God.

That's a great looking Jug.  I can't wait to see it finished.

And I didn't know that about the guns.

I like the looks of it,  but my only sticking point is the "exhaust" its actually a waste gate for the supercharger system, the part that looks like a hole is the butterfly valve to either open or close the the system to the SC impeller in the tail section, don't take my words as a criticism, its ANYTHING but that, I just wanted to let you know the nomenclature of the area and its significance.

I love the 47 and your Razorback is gonna look SCHWEET when shes done  

You're doing great, Brandon!

For those interested, here's a great set of photos of the Duxford P-47 "Snafu".  Some great detail shots for reference.

http://forums.airshows.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=53771&sid=751e8e40c62c7667cb9f69433535fe1e

(okay, the stupid link doesn't work so you will have to copy and paste it into your address bar)

Don't worry about the waste gate!     Just tell them it's a "modern" version of the P-47, and dazzle them with your knowledge!  LOL!

Take care!

Gary

PS>  Another quibble I have with the Duxford P-47 razorback is that they painted the inside of the cowling.  Supposedly, it should be natural anodized aluminum.  At least, that's the way it came from the factory.

Like what you're doing there!

The look I'm going for on this one is a more modern, travelling show plane that hits the air shows. It will be pretty polished and clean. But, I didn't know about the exhaust and that's gonna make a difference on the next one so I get it right. Oh well, practice practice practice.

you guys are reading too much into the my post, lol, I like the build and hes doing the Jug a testament, I just wanted to pass along some info he might not have known, my post might not have come across the same way typed as it did in my head when I was thinking it, if it did I apologize.

BrandonK, its coming along nice and I cant wait to see the finished product

Wow, super nice pics. A lot of needed detail there. Thanks.

This is how I learn more is from peeps that know more. Thanks.

As far as the canopy, yes it is too thick. I intend to pose it open. As far as the gaps in the landing bay to the fuselage, nope, not messing with that one. I'll just slap anyone's hand that tries to pick it up and look at it. That way they stay hidden. LOL Not really sure if I feel like filling that in. I will take a closer look soon and decide. Seems kinda weird to do all I have and not fill it. Right? Ugh !

The kit itself is rather nice to build. It fits well and goes together with very little fuss and almost no filler. The kit appears to be a much newer mold than my Corsair which gave every indication that the mold was very worn. I have a Tamiya kit, F4U-1D so I'm hoping it is an all around better kit. I love the Corsair and would build them all but that Revell kit just makes me cringe. Maybe I just got an old crappy kit. I may challenge myself and do another one just to see if I encounter the same issues.

Now that I know better on the exhaust I will still say that the guns are poorly done with little to no detail and plenty of flash. That's about the only real gripe I have with the kit. All the other stuff I did is just for fun and it's not needed. I just felt like seeing what I could do and how I could do it. I'll go do my 100 Hail Mary's now for the exhaust and take my 50 lashings.

I'm blaming it all on this.

Looking good, I like the scratch work, keep us posted.

I like the work you have done so far...the only person your models have to please is yourself. It's great to learn new techniques and ways to get better, but no sense in sweating stuff you have already done, file it away for the next build and enjoy the ones you have already done.

You guys have been hugely helpful already. Many thanks for pointers, they will get used on the next one. And on that note, next up is a Revell P-51C. Any specific kit issues to address? I am not planning on modifying this one any. Just a gear up, in flight, mostly bare finish. I'd like to know what I'm in for on this one, but I've looked it over and I don't see any glaring issues yet.

Ammo feed may have something to do with gun location also. Not just fore and aft. My two cents worth. I like your "jug" better than the 1/2 built bubbletop in my basement. Good and brave job so far. Keep up the good work! Bob

BrandonK

You guys have been hugely helpful already. Many thanks for pointers, they will get used on the next one. And on that note, next up is a Revell P-51C. Any specific kit issues to address? I am not planning on modifying this one any. Just a gear up, in flight, mostly bare finish. I'd like to know what I'm in for on this one, but I've looked it over and I don't see any glaring issues yet.

My bad, typo. It's the D model kit. It has raised panel lines but just farting around with the kit contents it looks to be a decent little kit as far as fit but I haven't commited to starting yet. The P-47 is the focus right now. I'm just making sure I don't make any big mistakes early on.

Looks familiar, but mines the Airfix 1/24 version. Bob

Well, progress continues. I was filling the wing gaps with superglue and one wing came out nice and the other, well........stuff happens. Basically, the glue blopped all over the wing root. What a mess. Had to sand both wing roots down and lost all my raised rivet details. I hand punched new rivets and tried to only add back what I lost. This too was a new technique I wanted to try, just not for this reason. But, anyway, it came out OK after I re-sanded, primed and wet sanded the area and re-applied the pre-shading where it was lost. 

Began painting the cowl and the tail and I am happy to say that I stopped in time for my pre-shading to show through like I wanted. I'm starting to get some patience with my airbrushing. I just keep telling myself, slow down, it's OK, just take you time. That's the hardest part, but I'm getting there.

I'll let it dry a few days and begin masking for the two primary colors finishing off the paint with Alclad II on the leading edges of the wings. I'm leaving that till last because I am scared to death the mask that stuff. This should be interesting for sure. 

Looking good, Brandon.  I forgot to ask what scheme you were planning to paint her in?

Gary

Nice looking jug Brandon.   I like the model painting stand too...

Joe

Well, I've been doing some research and I've decided to paint this like "Pied Piper".  But, I've seen this plane done two ways. One of which was done here with yellow, red and OD cowl, white leading edges and tail, (most likely correct), and another done with yellow and OD cowl, white leading edges and tail. Both of these I like, but I also like to be a bit different so mine will be painted.........wait for it...............by the kit directions. I know, I know, yah yah. It will be yellow and OD cowl, NMF leading edges and white tail.  Upper will be OD and lower in gray. Just to be a bit different, and I think it will look nice. I hope.

This piece is more about learning some skills than making it "perfectly accurate." I've made some mods along the way just see how it went and how it looked. The next Jug I do will be correct for what it is.

Well, you're going down a familiar road! 

http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/p/154414/1661179.aspx#1661179

I took the more unconventional route.

Hope yours turns out better than mine did! 

Gary