Col. Frank Klibbe's
P-47 Thunderbolts

"Little Chief"

Decal Sheets in 1/72 and 1/48

EagleCals Decals

Reviewed by Rodger Kelly

Eagle Cals #56 is available online from Squadron.com

EagleCals #56 provides markings to model two different P-47D-15-RE Thunderbolt aircraft in the two different guises each of them wore whilst being flown by the - then Lieutenant - Frank W. Klibbe of the 61^st Fighter Squadron, 56^th Fighter Group out of Boxted, UK during WWII.  The sheet is offered in 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32 scale. 

The aircraft, P-47D-15-RE, Serial number 42-75658, (wearing the squadron codes of HV-S) and P-47D-15-RE, Serial number 42-76179 (HS-V) were both finished in olive drab over neutral grey.  Simplistically, the former aircraft wore the standard P-47 theatre markings of a white forward cowling/stripes on the vertical and horizontal stabilizers small nose art whilst the latter dispensed with the theatre markings, gained a red engine cowling and rudder and larger nose art. 

As stated above, this is a simplistic overview of the markings worn by the aircraft.  The magnificent instruction sheet, and it is an instruction sheet not just a placement guide, provide exhaustive details of each “snapshot” of the two different machines during their lives.  The sheet measures 64mm x 28mm which is basically 3 x A-4 sized pages, six if you count that it has been printed on both sides and it has been printed on glossy, good quality paper. 

Click the thumbnails below to view larger images:

You are given four different options and complete instructions for each option as it appeared during a specific time period.  For ease of reference EagleCals have given each permutation a name: 

·        Option one - 30 January 1944 - Little Chief No 1.

·        Option 2 - February 1944 - Little Chief No 1A.

·        Option 3 - February 1944 – Little Chief No 2.

·        Option 4 - March 1944 - Little Chief No 2A. 

The instruction sheet contains sharp, clear photographs in both colour and black and white that illustrate the changes between the markings on each option and reinforce the written instructions.  It provides full colour left-hand side profiles as well as plan views of each machine.  There is also a further full-sized diagram that shows the placement of stencil data. 

The decal themselves are provided on two sheets.  The larger of them contain the majority of the markings with the smaller one supplying further national insignia.  There is no recognition as to which company printed the decals.  They are thin and glossy with an absolute minimum of decal film surrounding each design.  Everything is in perfect register and the whites appear dense enough to survive application over the dark colours of the fuselage, wings and cowl. 

There are two complete sets of stencil data provided and two sets of national insignia with one set being supplied in pieces so that they can be applied over the fuselage vents if you opt to model them open. 

This is an excellent product by EagleCals.  It provides exhaustive guidance to enable you to build four different and accurate aircraft with the keyword being accurate. 

Recommended.

Thanks to Judy at Eagle Editions for the information and the preview images

EagleCals decals are available from Eagle Editions Website
or Hobby Retailers including Squadron.com.     

Preview Text Copyright © 2003 by Rodger Kelly
This Page Created on 12 May, 2003
Last updated 14 August, 2003

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