Reviewed by Rodger Kelly
 

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FirstLook

CED48231 is the first of three sheets from Cutting Edge Modelworks covering the P-47D Thunderbolt.  Markings are provided for and one 5^th Air Force and two 9^th Air Force machines. 

P-47D-30-RE of the 353^rd Fighter Squadron, 354^th Fighter Group, 9^th Air Force as flown by Major Glenn T. Eaglestron, in France 1944. 

The aircraft is in overall natural meatal finish with the 353^rd Fighter Squadron's identifying markings of a yellow spinner and cowling with black cowling flaps.  The machine also sports the black theatre band on the fin and rudder as well as a set of D-Day markings on the underside of the rear fuselage.  Markings consist of:

• A winged skull and crossbones in black for either side of the cowling.

• Nose art in the form of an attacking eagle.

• A scoreboard consisting of eighteen and a half Balkenkreuze.

• Black FT-L squadron and individual aircraft code letters.

• Black 420473 serial number.

• The black theatre bands.

• Black data block.

P-47D-15-RA 223224,"SLEEPY TIME GAL".  The aircraft was flown by Lieutenant Herbert B. Emrich of the 69^th Fighter Squadron, 58^th Fighter Group, 5^th Air Force in New Guinea in early 1944. 

The aircraft is in olive drab over neutral grey with white theatre markings of wing leading edges and vertical stabilizers with a white cowling as well as yellow canopy framing.  Markings consist of: 

• Nose art in the form of the name,"SLEEPY TIME GAL" and a yawning nightgown clad female for the cowling.  It is unsure if the marking appeared on both sides but a second one is provided should you opt for it.

• White A23 plane in squadron code.

• Black 223224 serial.

• Black data block.

P-47D-28-RE 430244 'THAT'S URASS'.  This aircraft belonged to the 367^th Fighter Squadron, 358^th Fighter Group, 9^th Air Force. 

The machine is in overall natural metal finish with the spinner, sides of the cowling and the entire empennage in orange/yellow (no FS 595 match is offered).  Markings consist of:

• Nose art in the form of the name "THAT'S URASS" and a Mules (ass?) head.

• Red cowl flaps with white kicking mule designs on each flap.  These markings are also supplied as black decals as it is not certain that the cowl flaps were either red or black.  The white kicking mules are also supplied as separate decals should you opt to paint the cowl flaps yourself.

• Black CP-J squadron and individual aircraft code letters.

• Black 420244 serial.  Three of these are provided so you can assign one of them to your spares box.

• Black data block.

There are two sets of national insignia supplied.  The fuselage insignia is supplied in two forms so that you can model the aircraft with the cooler doors open or closed.  Something new for Cutting Edge is the inclusion of a very complete set of stencil data for the airframe and propeller in both black and white as appropriate to the aircraft's finish.  Nice stuff Cutting Edge, thanks! 

The placement guide is Cutting Edge's standard fare of an A-4 sized sheet with side profiles of each option as well as upper and lower views of the wings.  The latter illustrates the olive drab option and unfortunately, it doesn't show the placement of the theatre bands for the first option.  There is a further A-4 sized sheet included and this one provides detail notes on each option, model paint matches for olive drab and neutral grey, and line drawings showing placement of the stencil data.  The placement of the stencil data is guided by a 'number against a location' method with the decals correspondingly numbered – simple but effective. 

The decals themselves look as if they have been printed by Microscale. Everything is in perfect register and there is an absolute minimum of decal film surrounding each design. 

The decals and the two placement sheets are packed in a clear plastic zip-loc bag. 

Nice stuff from Cutting Edge.  It is especially pleasing to see a 5^th Air Force machine amongst the options and the stencil data is most welcome. 

Recommended.

Thanks to Cutting Edge Modelworks for the review samples..

Review Copyright © 2003 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 30 August, 2003
Last updated 29 August, 2003

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