1/48 Tamiya P-47D Thunderbolt. Lt. Col. Francis Gabreski (Complete)

You can't go wrong with Jugs or this Bada** pilot. This is gonna be one to really watch.

BK

Thanks Tempest, Brandon and Lawdog!

Here's the latest update. Main construction and painting is complete. I decided to depict the July 20, 1944 version of Gabby's jug.

This subject is an interesting challenge because the actual photos show some significant overspray of white on the black invasion stripes, overspray of the serial number paint on the tail and the overall look of the Ocean gray over the dark green is inconsistent and sketchy. It all has the look of camo and markings hastily applied at the unit level as we'd expect -- not a factory job!  However, if one decides to replicate the field-applied paint job, the model is going to look a little sloppy IMO (at least for me). So I decided to avoid overspray, tape lines, and inconsistent camo. Hopefully the model will still capture the spirit of Gabby's jug. 

I primed, preshaded and then painted the invasion stripes and red cowl and rudder sections.

I masked these and painted the undersides with AK real colors Medium Sea Grey. For the upper sections, I started with RAF Dark Green overall, added some panel fading and shadows with lighter and darker versions of the main color. Then I painted the Ocean Gray camo color freehand, along with some fading and shading. Fortunately the masking worked well and only minor touch up was required. 

Gloss coat and decals are next.  

I love Jugs. A real bada$$ airplane.

Coming along nicely!  That is such a great kit.

JohnnyK

I love Jugs. A real bada$$ airplane.

 

Agreed!

lawdog114

Outstanding work. I’ll be starting my Gabby Jug tonight. Mine will get full invasion stripes. I agree, on a scale model neat looks better even if it’s less than accurate. I’ve read these stripes were slopped on with mops. Not conducive to scale modeling.

 

Agreed and thanks. I'm looking forward to seeing yours.

keavdog

Coming along nicely!  That is such a great kit.

 

Thanks John. It really is a pleasure to build. I'm really impressed with the detail and fit. 

Gloss coat complete with Tamiya X22 and Mr. Color Leveling Thinner. This is one of my favorite parts of the build process. 

Wrapping this up soon. I have a couple of interesting ones looking at me from the shelf. 

Outstanding.  That gloss coat technique is fantastic isn't it?  

Great build mate, well done.

lawdog114

Outstanding.  That gloss coat technique is fantastic isn't it?  

 

Thanks - I love the X22/MCLT gloss coat - smooth as glass. 

damouav

Great build mate, well done.

 

Thanks!

Great looking Thunderbolt and what a shine! 

Looks great! What did you use for the interior color?

Paintwork looks amazing. Like you, I've used the Tamiya decal for the seatbelt on a plane... never again!

Hoss WA

 

 

lawdog114

Outstanding.  That gloss coat technique is fantastic isn't it?  

 

 

 

 

Thanks - I love the X22/MCLT gloss coat - smooth as glass. 

 

Hey, let's patent "X22/MCLT" so we don't have to keep spelling it out! 

ggatt_2

Great looking Thunderbolt and what a shine! 

 

Thanks!

RadMax8

Looks great! What did you use for the interior color?

Paintwork looks amazing. Like you, I've used the Tamiya decal for the seatbelt on a plane... never again!

 

Thanks Radmax! For the interior I used AK Real Colors Dull Dark Green (RC 230). I'm by no means a Thunderbolt expert but my understanding is that Dull Dark Green and Bronze Green are both considered for the cockpit interior.

Here's a reference I found online: https://www.ipmsstockholm.se/home/interior-colours-of-us-aircraft-1941-45-part-ii/

Yes. the Tamiya seatbelt decal doesn't cut it. No more decal seatbelts for me. 

lawdog114

 

 

Hoss WA

 

 

lawdog114

Outstanding.  That gloss coat technique is fantastic isn't it?  

 

 

 

 

Thanks - I love the X22/MCLT gloss coat - smooth as glass. 

 

 

 

 

Hey, let's patent "X22/MCLT" so we don't have to keep spelling it out! 

 

Agreed!

sickdude

Woo hoo, Glossy baby!! :) Tis great to see you both here and Scalemates, gives me more chances to drool over your work ;). Your turning out an outstanding museum/tribute to Mr. Gabreski, it would be great if you could present it to his family, I bet it would make them very happy :). Anyway, great job and carry on.

 

Thanks sickdude! Much appreciated. 

Gabby's jug is now complete. 

After the gloss coat, the Techmod decals went on mostly without a hitch. I ended up tearing one of the stars and bars on the wing when I applied it but recovery was fine. I applied another gloss coat over the decals and then applied a dark dirt Flory wash. After some black/brown mix sprayed on selected panel lines, I added some random streaks. Two coats of Model Master Flat Clear Lacquer gave me the matte/satin finish I was looking for. After adding the guns, nav lights, and other doodads she was done. 

This Tamiya kit really deserves its reputation. Wow, what a pleasure to build. And I've always been drawn to the 61 FS, 56 FG paint scheme. As a side note, I actually used the Hasegawa 1/32 profile as a guide for painting -- I think it's very close to the actual photos and much better than the Techmod profile. 

This project represented a number of firsts for me: first US plane (this century), first P-47D (ever) and first invasion stripe project. There will be more. Enjoy the photos and thanks for following along.

  I rarely give compliments because its tough to impress me. But your P-47 looks amazing. You've captured the essence of Gabreski's Thunderbolt. Well done.

RacerToo

  I rarely give compliments because its tough to impress me. But your P-47 looks amazing. You've captured the essence of Gabreski's Thunderbolt. Well done.

 

Thanks Racer. Much appreciated. I'm glad you like how it turned out. Thanks.

sickdude

Seeing it first completed on scalemates, and again here, I say again, mighty fine work sir, mighty fine! It looks like a Tamiya 1/48 and 1/72 Jug are on my list of builds ;).

 

Thanks sickdude. I haven't tried the 1/72 kit, but the Tamiya 1/48 jug is wonderful. Thanks.