48-714 is part five in – dare I say it – a decal serial covering the markings carried by the P-47 Thunderbolts of the 56th Fighter Group in WWII. 

Like the other four sheets in this series so far, sheet carries markings for three machines.  They are: 

P-47D-10-RE 42-75037, Onney's Angel, flown by Lieutenant Wilber N. Kelly of the 62nd Fighter Squadron.  The aircraft is in the early standard olive green over neutral grey finish worn by P-47s when they left the factory.  It also wears white theatre markings of bands to the vertical stabiliser/rudder, horizontal stabilisers and cowling front.

The provided markings are:

• LM squadron and individual aircraft K codes in white.

• Yellow 275037 serial number.

• Nose art consisting of a cartoon pilot with wings carrying a bottle against a blue circle background with clouds and an orange surround and the name Onney's Angel.

• A data block.  The number reads 42-76037 rather than 42-75037.

• A black block with pilot and crew chief name in white.

P-47M-1-RE 44-2120, Lookin' fer Trouble, flown by Lieutenant Edger Huff of the 63rd Fighter Squadron.  Camouflage finish – if you can call it camouflage! – is azure blue and insignia blue upper surfaces over natural metal undersides with a medium blue rudder, red cowling ring and natural metal canopy frames.  The provided markings are: 

• UN squadron and individual aircraft B codes in silver with a thin red outline.

• Medium blue 42-75037 serials.

• Nose art consisting of a cartoon machine gun toting young boy flying angel.

• The name Lookin' fer Trouble in white.

• A data block with the correct serial.

The final option is P-47D-25RE 42-28466, Anamosa, flown by Lieutenant Russ Westfall of the 63rd Fighter Squadron in the late summer of 1944.  This machine is in medium green 42 or RAF dark green upper surfaces over natural metal undersides.  It also wears a chipped red cowling, natural metal canopy framing and D-Day markings to the undersides of the fuselage and wings.  The D-Day markings to the upper surfaces of the wings and rear fuselage have been over painted in fresh olive drab as is the anti-glare panel.   The provided markings are: 

• UN squadron and B individual aircraft codes in both white and black.  The white ones are for the fuselage sides whilst the black ones are for the underside of the right wing.

• Yellow 228466 serial

• Nose art consisting of a cartoon tomahawk wielding young Indian brave on a yellow circle background.

National insignia (including the oversize under surfaces ones worn by the P-47) are supplied for all aircraft.  The fuselage ones have been supplied as three-part decals to enable you to apply them to the intercooler exhaust doors. 

A single and very complete set of stencil data is also included. 

The placement guide is A4 sized in size with full colour side profiles of each option and smaller split top and bottom plan views as well as a further set of side/plan views to aid in the placement of stencil data. 

The decals have been "Printed in Mexico".  They are very well printed, thin and in perfect register. 

The suggested kits are the Hasegawa and Tamiya ones and the placement guide advises that "Other P-47 kits could be used". 

The decal sheet and placement guide come packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag. 

Another welcome chapter in the decal markings for 56th Fighter Group from AeroMaster Products.  It gives complete markings for three interesting machines. 

Recommended. 

Footnote

The colours and markings worn by the P-47s of the 56th Fighter Group have long been the subject of speculation and debate.  AeroMaster Products recognises this and have provided a lengthy discourse on the placement guide to both inform and guide you in finishing your latest masterpiece.