P-47D Thunderbolt ‘Razorback’

Recommended Kits:
1/48 Tamiya, 1/72 Revell AG
 

Mike Grant Decals

Reviewed by Craig Quattlebaum

A new decal release by Mike Grant Decals covers the P-47D ‘Razorback’. This offering is another ‘short run’ release printed with an ALPS printer and these are no exception to the quality that Mike has come to be known for.

The colors are sharp and vivid, the opacity is excellent and the registration perfect. To sum it up, another quality decal set from Mike Grant Decals!

Now on to the subjects:

All three razorbacks have the olive drab over neutral gray paint scheme and do not have the under wing pylons for bombs or wing tanks. This does prevent the use of the kit ‘star & bar’ decals that are made in two pieces to fit on either side of the pylon.

To remedy that, Mike has provided a separate sheet with one-piece insignia for the under side of the wings. Also on the same sheet are decals for the white theatre stripes on the tail surfaces.

The first subject on the sheet is ‘Wicked Wacker Weegie’ from the 56FG/61FS; this P-47 was flown by Lt. Robert J. Rankin. A colorful Thunderbolt with the nose (group color) rudder & prop boss (squadron color) and letters (with white ‘shadow’) all being red.

The second subject is a P-47 from the 361stFG/376thFS. ‘Devil May Care’ was flown by Lt. Morris C. Williams from the groups’ base at Bottisham. ‘Devil May Care’ sported artwork of a devils head over a white ‘V’ along with Lt. Williams mission scoreboard. Also the squadrons’ patch, a rabbit shooting a 50-caliber machine gun while riding a lightening bolt was painted below the cockpit.

This P-47 can be modeled with either a white or yellow noseband. The groups’ aircraft had white noses until mid March 1944 when the groups yellow ID color was assigned.

The artwork was already in place on this aircraft when the repainting took place and is correct with either color.

The third and last offering is another 361st P-47, this time from the 375th FS. ‘Shiverless’ was flown by Lt. Stanley D. Rames who also did the artwork on the nose.

As with ‘Devil May Care’ this P-47 can also be modeled with either white or yellow nose color. There is however one exception noted on the instruction sheet.

If the nose is painted white, then the lettering needs to be left off and the art applied only. Lt. Rames added the lettering after the nose was repainted to the groups’ assigned yellow color.

In conclusion this is another fine set of decals by Mike Grant. Also of note is that this is the first decal offering of decals for 361st FG P-47s.

A few chosen P-51s of the group have long held the attention of decal makers and this release will help to put the spotlight on the groups early days of flying the P-47.

Recommended.

Thanks to Mike Grant of Mike Grant Decals for providing the review sample.
 

Review Copyright © 2002 by Craig Quattlebaum
This Page Created on 18 October, 2003
Last updated 17 October, 2003

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