Monday, December 11

Preview update: MiniArt's 48th scale D-30RE Jug in colours & plastic...

To add to the boxart & CADs we have already seen. We look at the plastic & colours of MiniArt's new 1/48th scale P-47D-30RE Basic Kit in today's preview update...

Preview update: MiniArt's 48th scale D-30RE Jug in colours & plastic...

P-47D-30 RE Thunderbolt
From MiniArt Models
Kit No: 48023
1/48th scale
The kit contains two marking choices in the box.
Full engine & weighted wheels, clear parts are included
The subject: The P-47D-30RE Thunderbolt
The D-30RE Thunderbolt differed from the previous bubbletops from the Farmingdale plant most notably by the addition of under wing dive brakes near the wheel wells, and many minor changes. There were eight hundred D-30RE's built, with orders for one hundred and thirty more that were converted to orders for the P-47M-1-RE.
The other main difference externally was the fitting of a filleted tail to improve stability that was lost after the razorback thunderbolt's lost their fin like fuselage and were replaced with the bubbletop canopy. Some earlier bubbletop marques were also retrofitted with this tail fillet. You can see the difference in this line drawing below.
Weapons of the P-47D-30 consists of eight 0.50” Colt Browning M2 guns with 425 rounds per gun. Thunderbolt can carry up to 1135 kg of bombs and do Air-to-Ground tasks. The aircraft also has the ability to carry up to 10 unguided HVAR missiles.
The power plant of the P-47 is a Pratt & Whitney R-2800-59W, air-cooled, radial, twin row, 2000 hp engine with water injection. R-2800 definition means “Radial engine with total capacity of 2800 cubic inches”, which is equal to 45,9 liters. Its length - 72,75", 52,5" in diameter, with weight of 1068 kg. The engine is equipped with a single speed mechanical compressor. P-47D-30RE modification is equipped with a “Curtiss Electrics” 4-bladed propeller.

The Kit: MiniArt's 48th scale P-47D-30 RE
The second of the "Basic Kit" versions of the Republic P-47D Thunderbolt. This is probably one of the more popular and well-kitted variants. 
The plastic in this kit is represented in CAD form here. With all you would expect to see in the D-30 version, including a flat cockpit floor, a tail fillet and the underwing dive brakes are of note...

The kit's decals:
The decals in the kit come on two sheets, the first, with the aircraft's individual markings, national markings and details like the cockpit instruments. The second sheet houses a full data stencil sheet for the kite.

Two markings in the box:
Inside the kit there will be two marking choices. One of the marking choices is the P-47D-30 Thunderbolt "Torrid Tessie" / "Philadelphia Filly" (S/N: 44-20978 / 603) from the 346th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, 12th Air Force.
There are actually two pilots that flew this aircraft. The first being CO Major Gilbert and the second being 1st Lt. Homer St.Onge. A majority of all the 346th Jugs sported the large cowling/engine ID numbers, the signature rudder checkerboard and a name, in large red letters on the fuselage. This aircraft was unique since it sported it's nicknames on both sides of the fuselage, placed there by both pilots.
Not much is information can be found on either pilot, just a story that the Major faced off against some Italian Bf-109s over Italy. On one routine patrol, Gilbert and his wing found the Italian's with their pants down on landing approach on an airbase in Villafranca. The enemy aircraft were of 2i Gruppo Caccia, one which belonged to Italian pilot M.Ilo Giuseppe Moratti, which Gilbert hit on his pass down the strip. The 109 burst into flames and crashed landed, but Moratti survived.

The other side of this kite, showing the Philadelphia Filly lettering...
The second pilot, St. Onge was stated in records state that during a strafing mission in the Po Valley in 1945, he encountered heavy ground fire and was hit on attack and was lost. St. Onge was able to bail out, and was able to evade the enemy patrols with help of the partisans of the area.

The second aircraft is also a well-known kite, "Look Ma No Hands" was a P-47D-30RE Thunderbolt from the 9th AF, 405th FG, 509th FS. 
Flown by Chester Lumley Van Etten, was a member of the RAF's Eagle Squadron, he later joined the Army Air Force as a P-47 Thunderbolt Flight Commander in the 509th Squadron, 405th Fighter-Bomber Group. His squadron covered Omaha Beach on D-Day and provided air support for Gen. Patton's 3rd Army in the Battle of the Bulge.
Van Etten fought in Korea with the 51st Fighter Wing and commanded the 6441st Tactical Fighter Wing, the first F-105 Thunderchief squadron to see action in Vietnam. He retired in 1971. His decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Distinguished Service Medal, Air Medal, Legion of Merit, and Air Force Commendation Medal.

This kit should be available soon (not sure when) from MiniArt's distributors worldwide. You can see more about this kit on the MiniArt Website...