Reviewed by Rodger Kelly
 

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Squadron

CAM Decals sheet 32-157 provides markings for a single aircraft, 'Bitter' 44-88074 a Republic P-47N-1-RE Thunderbolt, of the 19^th Fighter Squadron 318^th Fighter Group (not the 319^th Fighter Group as Cam Decals have incorrectly named it).  The markings depict the aircraft when it was based on Le-Shima Island in 1945. 

The aircraft is in overall natural metal finish with an olive drab anti-glare and it wears the blue trim of the 19th Fighter Squadron on its cowling, cowling flaps and the top half of its fin and rudder.  You will have to paint the blue yourself (the placement guide advises that it is FS 13507).  More on this later.

The supplied markings consist of: 

• The nose art consisting of the name 'Bitter' and a pointing dog.  This marking is supplied as both a three-part decal and a single decal to address any register issues that may arise.  For the record, there are no registration problems with my sheet.

• The 19th Fighter Squadron insignia.  This decal is supplied in three parts- a white disc (for the stars), a yellow disc (for the centre disc and outside ring) and finally a black decal that has a cock with outstretched wing and the outer ring of the insignia that contains the stars.  This approach is really a nice way to go as it ensures that this intricate marking will be in perfect register when in place.

• National insignia.  The fuselage ones are supplied in three parts to enable you to apply them over open cooling doors.

• Aircraft serial number and plane-in-squadron number in black for the vertical stabilizer.

• The thin black borders to the blue paint on the vertical stabilizer and cowling front.  The ones for the horizontal stabilisers are not supplied – see below for amplification on this point.

A reasonably complete set of stencil data is also provided including the all important data block that exhibits the correct serial number.  The red 'no-step' areas on the inboard edges of the flaps are also included as decals. 

The placement guide is A-4 in size.  It carries black and white left and right hand side profiles as well as a plan view of the upper surfaces.  Also shown are scrap views of the under surfaces of the wings as well as the main gear doors.  The cardboard header shows a left hand profile, this time in colour.   

Not shown in any of the illustrations is the fact that the outer third of the horizontal stabilisers on 19th Fighter Squadron P-47Ns were also painted in the same blue as the cowling and vertical stabilizer.  A small nit pick I know but a trap for the unwary.  Page 29 of the Squadron/Signal publication Air Force Colours shows a photograph of the aircraft and you can just make out that the horizontal stabilizers were painted blue with thin black borders.  My bet is that the spinner was also blue. 

The decals have been printed by Microscale and as usual, they are beautifully printed with an absolute minimum of carrier film surrounding each subject. 

The decals, placement guide and the header card are all packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag. 

If you want to build a 1/32 scale P-47N the only one currently available is the Rutman Full resin kit that features metal landing gear ,photo etched parts, engraved detail, hollow cast wings and fuselage.   The Rutman website is here: http://www.jrutman.freeola.com/page1.htm 

The Large Scale Planes website features a review of the kit here: http://www.largescaleplanes.com/reviews/JerryRutman/p47n/p47n.htm and if you need some inspiration have a look at the kit that Rick Bellanger built here: http://www.largescaleplanes.com/articles/RickBellanger/P-47N/P-47N.htm

CAM Decals are available online from their website at http://www.camdecals.com and from Brookhurst Hobbies

CAM Decals 59 page 2002 color catalog of decals and resin parts is also
now available through the CAM Decals website

Review Copyright © 2003 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 19 September, 2003
Last updated 28 September, 2003

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