1/72 Hobby Boss P-47D "Thunderbolt"

Hello Mike!

It's always good to see you working. Those HobbyBoss kits are kinda funny - mix of great detail and ultra-tricky molding with some gross simplifications. For similar reasons to yours I have a started F-84 Thunderjet. I wish you showed some pictures in this thread, because I feel like I didn't do a Jug for too long and I'd like to know if this one is even worth looking at, or should I go straight to Tamiya. Good luck with your build and have a nice day

Paweł

I have seen there range of easy assembely kits on hannants and been put off a bit. I always view stuff like this in a bad way for some reason. So interested to see how this pans out and if i may be judging them harshly.

Pawel, Bish,

I'm not sure yet. It's okay so far with a little sanding.

The wing roots will close nicely with some glue and a line of tape to hold it together.

The lower wing to fuselage seam will probably go away with a little more effort.

There is minimal detail for the pit, which does not include even a decal for the IP. It's all molded into the one piece fuselage.

The gear bays are okay.

Minimalistic, but not bad.

It's not the best. Good for a nice weekend build and some stress relief.

 

Here are some of the sprue shots. The few EP marks are on the bay doors. There are two choices in props. The engine is alright- it lacks cooling ribs on the cylinders. The bombs, drop tanks, and wing pylons will need details added to look right, but the center line drop tank looks good enough.

The windscreen/canopy is a kinda snap-in one piece affair. 

All the reviews I could find said not to bother with the pit. You can't really see anything anyways. 

Hope that's the info you needed. Now we'll just have to see how it turns out. From what I've seen it can look pretty good if some time is put into it. My plan is not to get too carried away with the build itself. I just really want to paint something. Lol

This review http://gregers.fr.yuku.com/topic/4397/Hobbyboss-172-Republic-P47D-Thunderbolt-Bubbletop has been quite helpful in my decision making progress. 

I think it will be helpful for you guys as well. No pictures were provided, but its very descriptive regardless.

Thanks Mike, its doesn't look as bad as i had expected. Lack of pit detail was a given i think. As you say, good a a quick weekend build, and hopefullyfor getting kits into the hobby, big and small ones.

The only thing I'm not liking about this kit is the super shallow panel lines. I've given up on most of them, but I concentrated on separating the control surfaces and the cowl flaps. 

I think its going to turn out okay, but not great. Still remains to be seen.

You will need a little filller along the fuselage joins. I tried getting these to go together seamlessly, but in the end I relented and pulled out the Bondo. The panel lines have suffered greatly in this area.

After scratching up a scoop for the supercharger in the cowl, I added a basic IP, IP cowl, and a gunsight. These items can be seen pretty well so I'm not regretting adding those parts.

It's all going together fairly well. I've got the landing gear and bay doors left untouched still, but I'm getting there. I may have some primer on it before the day is through.

Good morning, FSM.  :)

I finished up the landing gear last night. The gear doors are molded together, but a razor saw will separate them easily. There are enough locator pins on both halves to make alignment trouble free and it looks better.

I also painted the 150 gal. Centerline drop tank. I used a three rattle can (lazy) method that worked beautifully and gave me a gorgeous chrome-like finish. Ah, but then I got impatient and I have to start over again after I sand the finger prints off of it.  :(

For the rest of you fellow short cut enthusiasts, such as myself, the three rattle cans were Rustoleum flat black primer, Testors ultra gloss, followed by Rustoleum Chrome.

If I'd have let the layers cure properly and not tried to test fit it so early I'd have something nice to show you, but I screwed it up.

At least I know the process works! Lol

But this is going to take days to paint in this way so the layers cure properly.

Pictures to come later.

Hello Mike!

Sometimes I get a feeling that those spray can chrome silvers just never dry - they give you a nice shiny finish, put if you hold a part for too long or try to mask it with tape, even after several days, it's going to leave a mark.

Recently I have tried Mr Color Super Metallic Chrome Silver - now this one is expensive and maybe not the most shiny chrome out there, but its perfect for NMF aircraft and most importantly - you can really mask that stuff!

Good luck with your build and have a nice day

Paweł

The primer had about an hour to dry, the gloss had about 25 minutes, and then the chrome was given almost an hour befor I started messing with it. 

I'm really sure it was my fault, Pawel. Lol

the best spray can aluminum I've ever used was Duplicolor car touch-up paint. That stuff is nearly indestructible lol!

I think I may grab another can of it. Lol

but seriously, no more rushing with metallics. I'll just end up doubling my workload lol.

Yeah, I always say good models take time! Trying to rush things (although tempting!) usually turns out the other way around... Good luck with that NMF and I look forward to seeing some nice photos! Have a nice day

Paweł

That it does, my friend. It's now been over 24 hours and this stuff crazed a little and it's sticky. So this paint is a total no-go.

I'll have to remove this round of paint from the drop tank and start fresh.

The landing gear still look a little wonky but I think they'll be okay once they are cemented in securely.

I guess I'll use the not so quick and lazy with my AB and some Vallejo silver. 

 

Okay, last post for tonight.

I painted the pit. Not much to see but the headrest, really. That's some dang thick glass!

So I attached the canopy and masked it. I think it's ready for primer.  :)

Thanks for lookin-in. :)

Coming on nicely Mike.

Yes, I agree with Bish.  It is coming along very nicely!

Toshi

Thanks, Bish. Thanks, Toshi.

I noticed some gaps around the front windscreen after I posted last night. A bit of Squadron green putty worked nicely to fix that small issue.

So a little light sanding this morning and I'll be watching for a break in the weather.  :)

Stay tuned.

Sorry for the black on black. These pictures are dark and not too good, but hopefully you'll still see it okay.

Not sure when but I managed to fold the tail wheel over and break it.  :/

i might have to build a new one With wire to make sure it will hold up.

Now that I've got a nice coat of primer on it, I'll do some touch up and start painting some silver.  :)

Looks like your doing a pretty good job of that kit Mike!  I needed to teach a new elective this year, so I decided to bring modeling to school.  I pitched the idea of building models and doing historical research projects on the subjects of the kits.  The administration loved the idea so I was able to purchase a bunch of these easy assembly kits.  They're not great, but pretty good for a bunch of teenagers that have never built anything before.  As an added bonus, I have a small air force in my classroom.

Are there any pictures??!

I'd LOVE to see some!  :D

I've been trying to do that very same thing with my kids. Pick a model and research it.  :)

That is my favorite part of the entire experience. Finding when where and who.  :)

I'll take a few today during my planning period.  We're going to start the last batch of kits sometime next week.  We have a lot of standardized testing right now so that's making difficult to get going.

That looks awesome. Great work on such a tiny kit.

BK

silentbob33

I'll take a few today during my planning period.  We're going to start the last batch of kits sometime next week.  We have a lot of standardized testing right now so that's making difficult to get going.

 

I think that's a little exciting. Finding out who gives it some effort and shows some talent. :)

Seeing who gets hooked on the history or just the build itself. 

Watching the "light" turn on has got to be a smal thrill! Especially these days when electronics are what we put in our faces so much of the time.

I kinda envy you a little lol.

Pictures when or if can find the time.  Please?  :)

It is a thrill.  Some of the kids are really enjoying it and getting into it.  It's also amusing to see them push through the frustration of certain parts of the build.  They tend to have the most difficulty with decals.  I've jumped in and helped when they ask, but the decals in these kits are really hit or miss.  Hope you've got some good ones in your kit.

I've taken a couple of pictures, but I want to pull the best ones out and get some good pics of those too.  Photobucket is blocked at school so I won't be able to post them until I get home.

Sorry if this has hijacked your thread a bit.

Thanks BK. It's not that tiny, but the 1/144 P-47 I have put aside is tiny though! It's got wing root issues I have to figure out and it's been on the SoD for months lol.

This kit is pretty rugged in most respects. The landing gear are the weakest parts of the assembly. That tail wheel certainly proves that I think lol.

The one piece fuselage and solid wings make this a really heavy model for its size. Like I said in the beginning, it's very much like an up-sized 1/144 kit. 

Next up is the silver finish. I've got a plan that should work. I've just never done it with metallics before, so this should be interesting.

Stay tuned!  :)

silentbob33

It is a thrill.  Some of the kids are really enjoying it and getting into it.  It's also amusing to see them push through the frustration of certain parts of the build.  They tend to have the most difficulty with decals.  I've jumped in and helped when they ask, but the decals in these kits are really hit or miss.  Hope you've got some good ones in your kit.

I've taken a couple of pictures, but I want to pull the best ones out and get some good pics of those too.  Photobucket is blocked at school so I won't be able to post them until I get home.

Sorry if this has hijacked your thread a bit.

 

No, this is really fascinating to me! Hijack away!!

Decals need patience. That is a test all by itself lol. Getting them to lay down properly without silvering is no easy task! 

I assume you provide a few basics and lots of advice, tricks, and tips for those who want to do more than just slap them together and be done. Am I correct?

This is an assignment I would've aced back in school. Lol

M. Brindos

 

 

 

 

No, this is really fascinating to me! Hijack away!!

Decals need patience. That is a test all by itself lol. Getting them to lay down properly without silvering is no easy task! 

I assume you provide a few basics and lots of advice, tricks, and tips for those who want to do more than just slap them together and be done. Am I correct?

This is an assignment I would've aced back in school. Lol

 

That's right.  I've given them the basics and encourage them to read the instructions and I make do with paints, the colors aren't all correct, but I'd rather stress the fun aspects of the build with them.  There are a few that I give tips to and I can tell they appreciate it.  Somehow, only this picture saved on my phone so I'll have to get some more on Monday.  Sorry it has to be a tease.

These are the Hobby Boss Easy Assembly P-40B, F4U, P-51C, Hurricane, Spitfire, and Typhoon.  All in 1/72.  They also just finished kits of the La-7, Yak-3, and P-39, but the picture didn't save of those ones.

Alright. That is awesome! 

I think the impact of this is going to be tremendous. 

It really does look like you have a small Air Force in your classroom. Those look pretty good as well. 

I hope this is something you can continue to do.  :D

Id love to see more when you can find them lol. I'll grant you a free pass to hijack this thread at any time with more on this subject.  :)

I love this topic.

M. Brindos

Alright. That is awesome! 

I think the impact of this is going to be tremendous. 

It really does look like you have a small Air Force in your classroom. Those look pretty good as well. 

I hope this is something you can continue to do.  :D

Id love to see more when you can find them lol. I'll grant you a free pass to hijack this thread at any time with more on this subject.  :)

I love this topic.