Hobby 2000 72046 - 1:72 P-47M Thunderbolt 62nd Fighter Squadron

1:72 scale plastic model kit of the American P-47M Thunderbolt 62nd Fighter Squadron fighter

Hobby 2000 72046 represents the P-47M Thunderbolt — the fastest version of the American fighter, created in response to the V-1 flying bombs and German jet aircraft. Every example built served with the 56th Fighter Group, and this release is devoted to machines of the 62nd Fighter Squadron based at Boxted in England.

The kit is based on 1:72 Revell plastic with recessed panel lines. Hobby 2000 has added its own illustrated assembly manual, a new sheet of waterslide decals printed by Cartograf and self-adhesive masks for the canopy glazing.

The decal sheet covers two marking options: "Josephine My Flying Machine", P-47M-1-RE s/n 44-21199 flown by Lt. Leo F. Butiste of the 62nd FS, and "Jersey Bounce", P-47M-1-RE s/n 44-21176 of Lt.Col. Lucian A. Dade Jr., commander of the entire 56th Fighter Group. Both aircraft were based at Boxted in 1945.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues (Revell)
• Clear parts for the canopy
• Sheet of waterslide decals printed by Cartograf for 2 marking options
• Self-adhesive masks for the canopy glazing
• Illustrated assembly manual

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:72
• Catalogue number: 72046
• Manufacturer: Hobby 2000
• Assembled length: approx. 153 mm
• Assembled wingspan: approx. 173 mm
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate

Note: The kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. This model is intended for self-assembly.

Assembly:

The 1:72 Revell plastic features recessed panel lines and a modest parts count, which makes the kit accessible to less experienced modellers as well. The cockpit deserves the most attention — it should be painted and finished before the fuselage halves are joined — as does careful fitting of the canopy. The included self-adhesive masks noticeably speed up work on the glazing and help achieve clean frame edges.

The 56th Fighter Group aircraft of 1945 wore distinctive finishes: dark blue upper surfaces with light grey or natural metal undersides, complemented by colourful quick-identification markings on the engine cowling. Applying the decals over a gloss coat is recommended, as it limits decal silvering, with a satin varnish for the final finish. To raise the level of detail you may wish to consider aftermarket accessories available separately, such as seat belts or a turned metal pitot tube.

Tools you will need:

• Modelling nippers for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up sprue gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in various sizes or an airbrush
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Gloss varnish under the decals and satin varnish for the final finish
• Wash for emphasising panel lines and details

About the aircraft – Republic P-47M Thunderbolt:

The P-47 Thunderbolt was the largest and heaviest single-engine fighter mass-produced during the Second World War. Alexander Kartveli's design was built around the powerful 18-cylinder Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial with a turbo-supercharger housed in the rear fuselage, which gave excellent high-altitude performance and allowed the type to escort bomber formations deep into Germany.

The P-47M was developed in response to the German V-1 flying bombs and the first jet aircraft. It received the C-series R-2800-57 engine delivering around 2,800 hp with water injection, along with an enlarged turbo-supercharger. The result was a top speed of over 750 km/h — the highest of any production Thunderbolt. Only 130 were built and all of them went to a single unit: the 56th Fighter Group, the best-known fighter group of the USAAF Eighth Air Force, based at Boxted in England.

Polish pilots also flew with the 56th Fighter Group, posted to the USAAF after earlier service in RAF squadrons. The best known of them were Maj. Boleslaw "Mike" Gladych and Capt. Witold Lanowski — both scored victories on Thunderbolts and belonged to the small group of Poles flying combat missions in American colours. Their aircraft, carrying both US insignia and individual markings, remain one of the most interesting chapters of the Polish presence in Western Allied aviation.

Original aircraft specifications (Republic P-47M Thunderbolt):

• Crew: 1 pilot
• Length: 11.02 m
• Wingspan: 12.42 m
• Height: 4.47 m
• Empty weight: approx. 4,580 kg
• Maximum take-off weight: approx. 6,800 kg
• Powerplant: Pratt & Whitney R-2800-57 18-cylinder radial, approx. 2,800 hp with water injection
• Maximum speed: approx. 760 km/h at approx. 9,700 m
• Service ceiling: approx. 12,800 m
• Range: approx. 900 km, considerably more with underwing fuel tanks
• Gun armament: 8 x 12.7 mm Browning M2 machine guns in the wings
• Production: 1944-1945, 130 M-series aircraft built

About the manufacturer – Hobby 2000:

Hobby 2000 is a Polish model company based in Katowice, known for releasing themed re-editions of existing kits. Rather than tooling its own moulds, Hobby 2000 sources sprues from established manufacturers and builds a complete package around them: its own box, an illustrated assembly manual, a fresh sheet of waterslide decals printed by the Italian printing house Cartograf and — in most of its aircraft releases — self-adhesive masks for the canopy glazing. This kit is based on Revell plastic. The brand is recognisable above all for its choice of subjects: releases focus on specific squadrons, campaigns and service periods, with a strong presence of Polish themes that rarely appear in the ranges of the large manufacturers. Kits are produced in limited runs, so older releases tend to disappear from the market quickly. For the modeller this means proven plastic combined with fresh, carefully prepared markings and extras that were not part of the original release.