Reviewed by Rodger Kelly
 

HyperScale is proudly sponsored by Meteor Productions

FirstLook

CED48233 is the last of this series of three sheets from Cutting Edge Modelworks covering the P-47D Thunderbolt.  Markings are provided for three 8^th Air Force UK based machines. 

P-47D-30-RE 42-28878, "Eileen" as flown by Lieutenant Frank Oiler of the 84^th Fighter Squadron, 78^th Fighter Group out of Duxford.  The markings depict the aircraft as it appeared in the autumn of 1944. 

Finish is given RAF dark green upper surfaces over an un-named colour for the lower surfaces (RAF sky?).  The note sheet advises that researchers are divided as to exactly what colours were used on this aircraft with opinion divided between US olive drab over neutral grey and RAF dark green over RAF sky – your choice!

The aircraft sports a chequered black and white cowl. D-Day stripes on the lower fuselage and white theatre bands around the vertical and horizontal stabilizers.  Markings include:

• The chequers for the cowl.  These are provided in left and right hand halves in black only so you will have to paint the cowling white first.
• A large pistol packin' black and yellow hornet with the name "Eileen" for both sides of the fuselage.
• White WZ-2 squadron and individual aircraft code letters
• The white theatre bands.
• Yellow 228878 serial number.
• A black block on which are painted the pilot and ground crew names in white.

P-47D-15 43-25307 AS FLOWN BY Lieutenant Samual Stamps of the 63^rd Fighter Squadron, 56^th Fighter Group in the Spring of 1944.  Finish is olive drab over neutral grey with the forward part of the cowling in red.  Markings comprise:

• Nose art in the form of a scantily clad female against a yellow background.
• White UN-S squadron and individual aircraft code letters.
• Yellow 325307 serial number.
• Black data block.

P-47D-10 42-75121 belonging to Colonel Hubert (Hub) Zemke; Commanding Officer of the 61^st Fighter Squadron, 56^th Fighter Group.  The markings depict the aircraft as it appeared between April and May of 1944.  Finish is olive drab over neutral grey with the forward part of the cowling in red.  Markings are sparse and comprise:

• White HV-Z squadron and individual aircraft code letters.
• Yellow 275121 serial number
• Black data block
• Larger than normal national insignia for the under surfaces of both wings.

As with the other two sheets in the Thunderbolt trilogy, there are two sets of national insignia supplied.  A further national insignia is provided for the lower surface of the wings on the second option.  The under surface national insignia for the last option is provided in three parts so you can apply it around the pylons and the ailerons.  The fuselage insignia is supplied in two forms so that you can model the aircraft with the cooler doors open or closed.  The very complete set of stencil data for the airframe and propeller in both black and white as appropriate to the aircraft's finish is also a feature on this sheet as well. 

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.  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 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. 

The recommended kits are the Tamiya and Hasegawa ones. 

Recommended.

Thanks to Cutting Edge Modelworks for the review samples..

Review Copyright © 2003 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 02 September, 2003
Last updated 02 September, 2003

Back to HyperScale Main Page

Back to Reviews Page