P-47 Thunderbolt “Razorback”, Academy 1:72

[dr_gn]

To avoid clogging up Robemcdonald’s Revell P-47 thread here:

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

I thought I’d start a thread on my Son’s Academy “Razorback” version:



He bought it at Huddy model show for £5, and immediately set about building it when we got home:



I got him an Eduard canopy mask set, which he’s applied, and I helped him locally spray the canopy, first with chromate green (to match the interior), followed by camo green:





No help required for brush painting (trying to avoid techniques that need me - including anything to do with a scalpel):



Masking’s getting better with every build too:



Then decals. Typical Academy ie thick and brittle, but with a ton of MicroSol they eventually conform:





Current state:



It’s not the most detailed kit in the world, but very clean mouldings and dead simple to put together. The decals, while not great in themselves, will make it a bit special with the checkered tail.

[Eric Mc]

Looking good.

[robemcdonald]

Looks ace. He will even get it finished before mine.

[dr_gn]

Here it is finished after a MIG dark wash and Matt varnish:















Next one will be an Airfix Bf109E.

[kenny.R400]

Brilliant!!!!

[Eric Mc]

Cracking.

I really must build a P-47.

[allegerita]

Very nice result. I don't think I was at that level when I was at your son's age. Let alone that I can achieve the same now.

A while ago I bought the 1/48 Testors P47 specifically to practice aluminium air brushing. This build is the perfect reason to rush-finish my 1/48 Eduard Nieuwport 17 build and start with the P47 albeit with the bubbletop instead of the razorback. Rigging is definitely not my thing.

And he got the engine started as well!

[dr_gn]

allegerita said:

Very nice result. I don't think I was at that level when I was at your son's age. Let alone that I can achieve the same now.

A while ago I bought the 1/48 Testors P47 specifically to practice aluminium air brushing. This build is the perfect reason to rush-finish my 1/48 Eduard Nieuwport 17 build and start with the P47 albeit with the bubbletop instead of the razorback. Rigging is definitely not my thing.

And he got the engine started as well!

Thanks! I’ll tell him.

FWIW I can recommend Vallejo Air Aluminium, Silver, Chrome and Steel for smooth metallic finishes. Almost as good as Alclad II but without the pain.

Have you tried EZ Line elastic for rigging? It’s quite straightforward once you’ve got a good method of working. 1:48 would be a good size to try it out.

[robemcdonald]

Great job by the boy there doc. I wish I could get my eldest into model making, but she has no patience. Perhaps seven is a bit young...

[dr_gn]

robemcdonald said:

Great job by the boy there doc. I wish I could get my eldest into model making, but she has no patience. Perhaps seven is a bit young...

Thanks, I’ll tell him. My 7 year old started a couple of models when she saw her brother doing it, but she’s not really into it. I think if they’re not interested, it’s fine.

[allegerita]

dr_gn said:

Thanks! I’ll tell him.

FWIW I can recommend Vallejo Air Aluminium, Silver, Chrome and Steel for smooth metallic finishes. Almost as good as Alclad II but without the pain.

Have you tried EZ Line elastic for rigging? It’s quite straightforward once you’ve got a good method of working. 1:48 would be a good size to try it out.

I use copper telephone cable wire, which is the only wire available at a diameter correct to the scale. It is a bit of a mess to let it look good because it can't be bent too many times, and tensioning is difficult also.

[dr_gn]

allegerita said:

dr_gn said:

Thanks! I’ll tell him.

FWIW I can recommend Vallejo Air Aluminium, Silver, Chrome and Steel for smooth metallic finishes. Almost as good as Alclad II but without the pain.

Have you tried EZ Line elastic for rigging? It’s quite straightforward once you’ve got a good method of working. 1:48 would be a good size to try it out.

I use copper telephone cable wire, which is the only wire available at a diameter correct to the scale. It is a bit of a mess to let it look good because it can't be bent too many times, and tensioning is difficult also.

That's why I use EZLine where I can - it's scale thickness (unless of course the rigging wires are flat, but at 1:48 or 1:72 it's not too obvious), and it's easy to tension.

[robemcdonald]

Doc. What colour did your son use on the wheel wells and cockpit? It looks a bit yellow to be the regular cockpit green. I’ve seen a few models online that all seem to use a very similarly colour too. I want to try and use the same shade on my new project.

[dr_gn]

robemcdonald said:

Doc. What colour did your son use on the wheel wells and cockpit? It looks a bit yellow to be the regular cockpit green. I’ve seen a few models online that all seem to use a very similarly colour too. I want to try and use the same shade on my new project.

It’s Tamiya XF-4 Yellow Green. I’ve just had a look online at the Tamiya P-47, and they call out XF-4 for most of the wheel wells and inner engine cowl, but XF-5 (Green) for the cockpit, so beware! I thing XF-4 represents zinc chromate primer, but presumably the cockpit itself was then over-painted:

https://www.super-hobby.com/products/item_name-276...

I used XF-5 on the boys P-47 because I obviously mis-remembered the colour, although I’m pretty sure I’ve seen other WW2 era US Aircraft with more yellowish green cockpits.

[robemcdonald]

Thanks

I’ll either pick some up or order some today.