Revell 1/72 P-47M Thunderbolt

[Geoffers]

Finally managed to get the priming done ?



There are a couple of seams which will need a bit of filler and the radiator exhaust is particularly bad but I’ll use a bit of thin plasticard to cover this.


Once these bits are sorted it will be onto the fun part, the camo painting. I’ve just got to figure out what colours to use ?

Thanks for looking ?

Geoff.

[Jim R]

Always nice to get to the primer stage . Not many issues to sort out. Like you I use thin styrene to cover up bad seams where possible - easier and a neater job than filling and sanding. Looking forward to the camo.

[Geoffers]

Thanks Jim ?

Yes it’s great for gap filling too especially wing roots on aircraft, a must have product in my opinion ?

[Richard48]

Nicely done Geoff.Hope you enjoyed Telford.
Richard

[Geoffers]

Thanks Richard ?. Yes Telford was great, unfortunately I was called into work so had to cut my visit short, otherwise I’d have popped by to say hello.

Geoff.

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Nice to see this one resurected Geoff. Looking good.

[Geoffers]

Thanks Steve ?.

I’m trying to clear a few from the shelf of doom before the end of the year.

Geoff.

[Geoffers]

Just a quick word regarding the “camo” colours I’m planning on using.

These aircraft where originally delivered to the 56th fighter group in natural metal as were most USAAF aircraft towards the end of WW2.

The three squadrons in the group the 61st, 62nd and 63rd were not happy with this finish so it was decided to paint them before use.
Each squadron had a different finish although the underside remained NMF.
This is were the trouble starts as there is no documented evidence to show what colours were actually used ?

No problem though, you know how it goes in the hobby a nice civilised chat takes place on the internet and a general consensus is reached about what colour was likely and we all live happily ever after right…….wrong ?

Various theories as to what colour was used and why are championed and the arguments rumble on.
There are some colour photographs but these are either recoloured or because of the passage of time can’t be taken as accurate either

So as no one can prove what is accurate everyone is potentially right ?

Anyway after reading a few internet ding dongs I’ve decided life’s too short to worry about it and am going to go for RAF PRU blue for the light blue and slightly darkened insignia blue for the main darker blue.

Right or wrong, accurate or not I reckon it will look nice ?

Geoff.

[Steven000]

Yes I went many times into that cave of accurate-color-madness myself, in the end the only thing that matters is that you like the finished model yourself, accurate or not, just try to have fun, cheers ?

[flyjoe180]

Been there with regard to researching colours, Geoff. We can get so bogged down in detail that builds can become tedious. I think your blue scheme will look fantastic on the shelf

[Geoffers]

Hello Chaps.

Got a bit of time at the bench today so managed to get the underside painted.

AK Extreme Metal - Aluminium was my paint of choice.


I was quite pleased with how it turned out, all the ancillary parts, engine, inside of the engine cowling, undercarriage doors and wheel hubs have also been painted the same colour.

Upper camo next, thanks for looking ?

Geoff.

[papa 695]

Just seen this one Geoff, looking very good indeed

[Jim R]

Looks good Geoff. Metallic finishes aren't easy.

[Geoffers]

Cheers Jim ?

[colin m]

The painting stage. A nice place to be.

[Geoffers]

Thanks Colin, you’re right.

As much as I enjoy the construction phase I feel this is where the model starts to “come to life” ?

Geoff.

[Geoffers]

A quick update ?

The engine has been painted.


I’ve also painted the first stage of the upper camo.

As I said in a previous post the actual colours used for the scheme are uncertain as they were painted when they arrived at the squadrons.
I decided to use Insignia Blue cut with insignia white 5:1.


I also had to mix a separate pale blue to paint the rudder. It needed to match the serial numbers, not too far off I think ?

Hopefully another update soon, thanks for looking ?

Geoff.

[minitnkr]

Shaping up nicely.

[Jim R]

That's a nice paint job.

[Geoffers]

Thanks Jim I’m pleased with how it’s looking so far.

[flyjoe180]

Coming along nicely Geoff

[Geoffers]

Cheers Joe ?

[Geoffers]

A bit more progress today ?

The dark blue has been done, I used me Color C326 Insignia Blue for this.


There are a couple of areas that will benefit from a touch up but I’m otherwise pleased with it.
I have also painted the tyres and propeller so not too much more to do now ?

Thanks for looking.

Geoff.

[Geoffers]

A few pics now that the masking has been removed ?


Decals next, another update soon.

Thanks for looking ?

Geoff.

[flyjoe180]

Your Thunderbolt is looking great Geoff, very striking in that scheme ?

[Geoffers]

Cheers Joe ?

[Geoffers]

Not far off done now.

All the transfers have been added, probably the worst aspect of the kit to be honest. Some silvering around the carrier film in a few places despite going down over a nice gloss surface.
Its had a flat coat now so just the few ancillary parts to add and a bit of weathering to go ?


Thanks for looking ?

Geoff.