WVP51 - Given what you had to work with I am very impressed with your efforts. Really an oustanding job.  Do not dwell on any shortcomings you perceive in your build but rather celebrate and build on the successes.

 That Vector engine is way nice. Even more detailed than the Quickboost that I have. I can see though that installing that would take some healthy surgery and scratchbuilding.

 Currently I am making progress on my engine. I opted to work on the kit engine and got it cleaned up fairly well and am now working on wiring up an ignition harness. Another first for me.

                                                 Joe

Gamera: thanks for the tip.  I think de-tacking the tape is probably the way to go.

Another thought is to paint, buff, seal with MM, then go back and do my normal decal and weathering processes.  Looks like using buffing metalizers might add another step or two to my normal processes.

If i get lazy, i'll probably just opt for non-buffing metallic colours.

Hey WVP51guy:

Pretty cool! N model !

Hey guys. Not trying to spam this thread with photos, but I finally made it over to "Michael's" and got a few fancy boards to use for pics! They also have a decent model collection there, along with a pretty good collection of the small testors paints and some other supplies.

Alllllrighty....here goes. First off I don't have internet yet at my new place so that's why progress pics weren't posted as they occurred. Secondly....to those who were wondering what could be done with a Lindy P-47...save your time and effort. This kit wanted to give me grey hairs long before I should have grey hair lol. The entire kit is cast in white plastic...so every part except the rockets needed to be painted. I was going to attempt an olive drab - invasion stripe look but I decided to do it exactly like on the box. This kit did not even come with a cockpit...all it was...was a flat piece of plastic bent at an angle for the pilot figure to sit on...no gauge panels no anything. Very cheaply made kit. Combine that with my raw amateur modeling skills and you see the results..

As you can see, the landing gear was pretty much a joke...the gear compartments weren't even cut open into the wing...just a hole to put the main gear in. Also...I hand paint all my models...I do not own an airbrush although thats an investment I may make in the future. So I apologize for the substandard paintjob. The saving grace in all this was Future....if it wasnt for that the decals never would have set on the plane correctly at all. Soooo anyway...2nd build in 7 years...hopefully the next time there's a P-47 build I'll get a Revell or something and actually get it to look good lol. 

I agree Gamera, quite stunning eye candy on both! "Chautauqua" is the first AC I think of when talking about the P-47, it is just a cool piece.

Chris: Sorry, never used Humbrol so I have no idea how well they work. I have used MM sealer over Alclad as a final step to protect the decals and it works pretty well. Not sure how sensitive it is, you might want to touch any masking tape to your hand a few times to remove some the stickiness before you apply it to the model though.

Ed: Looking forward to those, I remember they have some spectacular nose-art  

YW, Ed. True about the "artistic license".

They had certain regulations they were supposed to cohere to, back then. However, common sense and operational nesessity took over at times. ie "We're outta OD" Well, go "borrow" some black from X squadron!" Take the "M" model, for example. They seemed to just paint them however they felt they needed to, using british paint stock in many cases.

I like to be historically accurate as much as the next guy. However, in cases where there is just not enough reference, no proof, etc. of certain colors then who's to say who is right and wrong? An upcoming P-47 build I have in mind. Blue wing tips to match the nose? No pictures...besides it'll look nice!

Looking forward to your pics...

Tom- Thanks for the help. I am going to go with the flat black, right or wrong. Like you said, it's hard to tell from the photographs that are available of the AC. The guys that painted these birds probably didn't think too much about preserving history for us model builders, so a little "artistic license" will have to be allowed.

I will try to post up some pics tonight, it has just been way crazy with my sons' baseball practice, work and such. I was able to have a block of time this weekend uninterrupted and got Chautauqua painted as well as doing some paint work on Ms. Second Front. 

Thanks again, Tom.

Nice powerplant reference, Doogs. Thanks.

Quote, from CML:

"From what i read, i understand initial Bubbletops didn't have the fillet, which resulted in poor stability, hence the reason for the variation.

One question though - the P-47M doesn't look like it has the fillet, correct?  If so - how did they get around the stability issue which was found in the D-28?"

Yes, intitial bubble tops did not have the fillet. The plane wallowed a bit, (from what I have read, especially in a dive) as airflow from the new bubbletop canopies was different than the razorback. The fillet also, in effect, acted as a yaw damper to slow prop wash over the left side of the fuselage (think corkscrew).

Some early M's did not have the fillet. The later ones came from the factory with them.

Most -Ms had the fillet - Schilling's is actually rather unique in that it didn't. It was also the first one delivered to the 56th (CO's perk I guess). Given that he flew a D-25 prior, maybe he preferred the handling without and had it removed....

One other thing:

Does anybody know much about Humbrol Metal Cote Buffing Metalizers?

I was going to try their polished aluminium on this build, but i'm not too sure how to handle them.

My queries are:

1. how sensitive are they?  can i mask directly over them, or once they're on, should i never touch the model again?

2. what should i use to buff them and how?  Also, what does this actually do?

3. I've seen MM make a metalizer sealer - would this be ok to use for Humbrol (i'm hoping it will be, as i can't find one made by Humbrol); and

4. If i do use the sealer, then can i mask/touch them?

I'll be posting this in the Airbrushing and Painting Forum too, but thought some of you guys here would have experience with them.

Gamera, Joe Rix, Doogs ATX & Panzerpilot: thanks for the compliments!  Just wish i had a better camera on me for some decent shots.

Aiming to get the wheel wells and inner cowling painted tonight.  Didn't have any yellow green (XF-4) and thought i'd make my own using chromate green and insignia yellow.

Unfortunately, i put the green in first and kept trying to add more and more yellow, until i ran out of yellow and realised it was still too green

Have now bit the bullet and bought and equivalent to XF-4.

I see now what you mean by the D-30.  I had a look online and think i know what you're talking about - it's the part just before the vertical stabilizer, right?

From what i read, i understand initial Bubbletops didn't have the fillet, which resulted in poor stability, hence the reason for the variation.

One question though - the P-47M doesn't look like it has the fillet, correct?  If so - how did they get around the stability issue which was found in the D-28?

panzerpilot

CML - Good job on your cockpit. It looks nice.

Doogs, Gamera, etc.. Interesting discussion re: various jug models. The Hasegawa 1/32 kit comes with the fillet, which I take it could be used to model a -30. What else is interesting is the kit also has an "M" prop, with wider paddle blades. I wonder if very late -40's had this prop, and fillet, just not the distinctly different accesory section/engine? It looks like the Hassie kit is "oh so close" to being able to use as an "M", with perhaps an AM engine set?

I know there's a lot of variety in what props the different P-47s actually used - you almost need to go aircraft by aircraft.

As for aftermarket engine...Vector's got ya covered:

http://ultracast.ca/products/Vector/32%20Scale/32-002/default.htm

CML - Good job on your cockpit. It looks nice.

Doogs, Gamera, etc.. Interesting discussion re: various jug models. The Hasegawa 1/32 kit comes with the fillet, which I take it could be used to model a -30. What else is interesting is the kit also has an "M" prop, with wider paddle blades. I wonder if very late -40's had this prop, and fillet, just not the distinctly different accesory section/engine? It looks like the Hassie kit is "oh so close" to being able to use as an "M", with perhaps an AM engine set?

Von Sisco

Hey guys, great work all around. I need to pick your collective brains. I am in the painting phase of "Chautauqua" and I am getting ready to do the antiglare panels. Most people who have done this plane have done it in olive drab, but Norris Graser has noted that this AC had flat black panels. My question is: what is correct? I really like the idea of flat black, but I do like to be correct on these things. I also have found out the blue triangles on the yellow background were only used on the vertical stabs, not the horizontals. Any help would be appreciated!

Hey Ed. Here's a link I found where some guys were asking some of the same questions. It does 'look' like black would be the correct color. I have seen several pictures of other jugs where the antiglare was black.

Hey guys, great work all around. I need to pick your collective brains. I am in the painting phase of "Chautauqua" and I am getting ready to do the antiglare panels. Most people who have done this plane have done it in olive drab, but Norris Graser has noted that this AC had flat black panels. My question is: what is correct? I really like the idea of flat black, but I do like to be correct on these things. I also have found out the blue triangles on the yellow background were only used on the vertical stabs, not the horizontals. Any help would be appreciated!

Gamera

If I may answer for Doogs I think what he means is to build the P-47M as a P-47D-30. So many P-47Ds were built block numbers were assigned ie P-47D-20, P-47D-25, P-47D-40. I've a book that lists different block numbers and how they differed- I'm sure you can find something on-line as well.

Exactly. The P-47D encompassed so many changes that, if it were another aircraft, it'd probably have been called at least the P-47D, P-47E, and P-47F. Instead it got block numbers.

The P-47D-20 and everything below it are Razorbacks.

The P-47D-25 is the early bubbletop and is what's represented by the Tamiya kit. 

Starting with the P-47D-30 (or maybe D-28) they started bolting on a tail fillet to improve stability. Various other changes like the cockpit floor (stopped being corrugated) and propeller types changed here and there, too. The Tamiya P-47M comes with the filleted tail, and all Hasegawa Jugs, as I understand, have the fillet as its own piece, but for some reason Tamiya only supplies parts to build a D-25. 

One thing I'll be doing in the future is swapping tails between the two kits to build a D-30, and a very early, filletless P-47M:

CML -  Very nice cockpit indeed. No worries there, as your not alone here as an NMF newbie. I'm there with ya.

                                                           Joe

CML: Sharp job on the cockpit -I agree that the instrument panel came out great with the decal.

If I may answer for Doogs I think what he means is to build the P-47M as a P-47D-30. So many P-47Ds were built block numbers were assigned ie P-47D-20, P-47D-25, P-47D-40. I've a book that lists different block numbers and how they differed- I'm sure you can find something on-line as well.

DoogsATX: cheers mate.  What's a D-30?  (Sorry for my ignorance).

As for markings...undecided as yet.  I think the kit comes with 3 different options, i'll have to decide soon though, as it affects some of the painting, esp the anti-glare panel if i'm not mistaken.

Will let you know as soon as i do

Richard - the Lafayette Escadrille, eh? Just so happens I'm very seriously eying on of their earlier chariots for the P-40 GB, a P-40F-5 conversion from the Hasegawa P-40M kit:

Gamera - you better believe I'll be posting pics! I'm planning to shove it to the front of the line when it comes...looking like mid-Aprilish at this point. 

cml - switching ain't a problem, though you could've kept the -M in play and built it as a D-30 with the tail fillet. Any idea what markings you're thinking about?

Howdy Gents,

Some great builds i've seen come out of this forum - i just can't believe how quickly some of you can build!  Whilst i haven't posted anything thus far, i have been diligently checking in on this thread.

Ok, so, i've decided to change my build from Tamiya's 1/48 P-47M to their 1/48 P-47D.  (DoogsATX - hope this is ok).

The reason?  My girlfriend bought me the P-47D for my birthday last year and has been asking why it isn't built, so i thought i'd better build it!  I was hesitant, because of it's NMF, but thought i'd have to do a NMF one day, so why not as part of this GB?

So, here's the model:

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

Sprue has finally been cut over the weekend and here is the cockpit thus far:

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

**Note that awful discolouration on the left - i was too heavy handed with the Dullcoat.  However, i don't think it will be too noticeable once the pit is all sealed up.  Also, the pic tends to over-exaggerate it.

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

 [View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

I love the decals for the instrument panel - easily the best detailed i've ever built so far.

I subsequently added drops of clear gloss to the dials for a bit of a glassy look.

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

[View:/themes/fsm/utility/:550:0]

I've noticed the joystick needs a bit of a touch up - bare spot from cutting off the sprue.

Apologies for the poor quality pics - normally use an SLR, but it's currently with my father, so the ol' point and shoot is all I have to work with...

I'll keep posting updates, but i think i'll still be struggling to finish in time.

Look forward to seeing the other builds come along.

Richard: Looking good! I like that French machine, very colourful and not something you see everyday.

Doogs: I assume you're going to post photos of the B-25 when she comes on your blog? I've heard so much about these kits and would like to know what you think about her.

I don't think there are any aftermarket sets for 1/24 so I'm going to see what I can whip up myself. I want to go with real fabric seat belts for one. And I intend to install a small electric motor to turn the prop and am thinking of using fiber optics for the lights. The kit set me back about  $120.00 US which is way more than I'd normally pay but gee friggin' whiz it's GIGANTIC. And I'm not sure Vintage Fighter Series is even still in business, when I picked it up I figured if I don't build the thing in 5-10 years I can flip it on ebay for twice what I paid for it.

Panzerpilot,

Looks like a winner to me! Love the markings too. Congratulations on a very nice and well executed model

Gamera,

1/24 you say? That's a whopper allright... Gonna be fun fun fun though building it! Are you planning any aftermarket goodies for it too?

Well,... My little 1/72 juggie is starting to look like something. I hope to have her ready for the booth somewhere tomorrow. I did decide to fill up the holes where the underwing pilons go because those had some nasty sinkmarks in em...unusable.. Instead ill go for either a model without the ordnance or a single droptank under the fuselage.

Sorry about one or two being blurry.. I just shot em quickly on the bench... Lastly i did find a profile pic of the plane im going to try to paint:

Hope you like my choice guys,

Richard

Alright - finally got the front page updated. If anything's amiss, let me know!

Gamera

Dave: No idea on round 2. I'm certain Doogs will be back around soon though to answer your question.

Yeah with SXSW going on, forum time has been screwy. To be honest, it's only march and we've got a whole other nine months to go, so I haven't really thought about round two. Definitely within the realm of possibility, though.

Guys, I think I finally lost what little mind I had... I went out and blew part of my 'rebate' check where I overpaid the US government on Vintage Fighter Series 1/24th scale P-47D. She came today and the friggin' kit is indeed 1/24- twice as long and with twice the wingspan of a 1/48th kit. It's bigger than the foot long sub I had for supper...

20" wingspan is pretty crazy...especially when you consider a 1/32 Jug is  50% bigger than 1/48 - 15" span vs.  10", and looks MASSIVE. 

Dying to see just how big that 1/32 B-25 is when it arrives. 25" wingspan!

Gamera - Very Awesome. Money well spent indeed. I do hope you have the display space for that beast because I would get this question from my wife (after "How much did you pay for that!'): ' And , just where do you plan on putting that thing?'

                                     Joe

Thanks Tom, I'll be happy to get my camera back so I can post some photos. Maybe I should have spent my refund on a new camera...

Gamera, you certainly didn't "blow" your refund on a 1/24 Jug! That is a wise investment, in my book! What a monster. Now this...I gotta see!

Dave: No idea on round 2. I'm certain Doogs will be back around soon though to answer your question.

Guys, I think I finally lost what little mind I had... I went out and blew part of my 'rebate' check where I overpaid the US government on Vintage Fighter Series 1/24th scale P-47D. She came today and the friggin' kit is indeed 1/24- twice as long and with twice the wingspan of a 1/48th kit. It's bigger than the foot long sub I had for supper...