Questions For P47 Experts

[Guest]

I am building a VFS P47D Bubbletop.

I want to make the model to represent the RAF machine in Burma.

According to Aircraft Profile 7 this machine would have been an equivalent of a P47D-25.

The instructions for the kit however say that the aircraft was a P47D-28.

Who's right?

The way I understand my references the D-25 would have been constructed with the corrugated cockpit floor and the D-28 the "flat" floor.

My second question is were the wheel wells painted zinc chromate yellow like other internal parts?

I have not been able to find a colour picture of the wheel wells so far - only restored machines with some modern replacement finish.

TIA

[Guest]

Model as the D-28-RE but make sure you use a Curtiss Electric Paddle prop. Floor should be corrugated as the flat floor was only used on the 30, 40 and M variants. Paint the wheel wells zinc chromate yellow.

[Guest]

P-47D variants

Further to my earlier reply I thought an explanation would help – I have had a look in my P-47 book collection (19 books).

‘P-47 Thunderbolt’ by Edward Shacklady published by Classic WWII Aviation Volume 4:

The RAF used Thunderbolt I and IIs. The Type II was the equivalent of a P-47D-25-RE supplied in four main batches with serial numbers HD182 to HD301, KJ128 to KJ367, KL168 to KL347 and KL838 to KL887 noting that a small number of the final batch had the dorsal fin strike.

‘Republic P-47 Thunderbolt The Operational Record’ by Jerry Scutts published by Airlife:

The MK IIs were supplied as P-47D-25s, 27s, 28s, 30s and 40s.

‘Republic P-47 Thunderbolt’ published by Aero Detail:

On the basis you are modelling a Republic built aircraft and not an RA (Evansville) then the following changes made to the variants as:

P-47D-27-RE: Modifications made to D-25’s water injection system, engine starter motor and drop tank control system, S/N 42-26774 to 42-27388; 615 built.

(Note: Shacklady mentions Hamilton 13’2” propeller).

P-47D-28-RE: Modifications to the D-27 included replacing the propeller with the Curtiss Electric C542S-A114 or C642S as well as changes to the cockpit and radios. S/N 44-19558 to 44-20307; 750 built.

(Note: Shacklady advises Curtiss Paddle Blade propeller).

P-47D-30-RE: Dive brakes added to the wings of the D-28. Minor changes also made to instrument panel, canopy, hydraulic system, pylons and gun camera. Dorsal fin also added in middle of production run. Landing lights repositioned closer to wing tip (left wing only). S/N 44-32668 to 44-21107; 800 built.

(Note: Shacklady advises zero rail rockets, five under each wing).

The following publications have colour plates of the following Burma based P-47s:

‘P-47 Thunderbolt’ by Richard Caruana published by Famous Aircraft of the World:

P-47D-28-RE ex 44-29458 of No. 79 squadron

KJ302/AW-P of No. 42 squadron

‘Republic P-47 Thunderbolt “Bubbletop”’ by Robert Peczkowski published by Yellow Series:

P-47D-30-RE, KL201 ‘EG-F’ of 34 squadron.

With regard the floor only variants 30, 40 and M had the flat floor.



Republic always used zinc chromate yellow to paint surfaces. Note the wheel wells should be painted except for a small indent wheel plate located on the inner wheel well flaps.

An excellent website which has European theatre plane is www.littlefriends.co.uk.

Hope the above helps.

[Guest]

I found the following in 'Republics P-47 Thunderbolt From Seversky to Victory', Appendix B by Warren M. Bodie. Hopefully you can identify your P-47:



P-47 Variant: 25-RE

A/C Serial No. 42-26477 to 26506

RAF Serial No. HD182 TO HD211



A/C Serial No. 42-26593 to 26622

RAF Serial No. HD212 TO HD241



A/C Serial No. 42-26722 to 26751

RAF Serial No. HD242 TO HD271



P-47 Variant: 27-RE

A/C Serial No. 42-26885 to 26914

RAF Serial No. HD272 TO HD301



P-47 Variant: 28-RE

A/C Serial No. 44-19619 to 19658

RAF Serial No. KJ128 TO KJ167



A/C Serial No. 44-19806 to 19845

RAF Serial No. KJ168 TO KJ207



A/C Serial No. 44-19967 to 20006

RAF Serial No. KJ208 TO KJ247



A/C Serial No. 44-20158 to 20197

RAF Serial No. KJ248 TO KJ287



A/C Serial No. 44-20298 to 20307

RAF Serial No. KJ288 TO KJ297



P-47 Variant: 30-RE

A/C Serial No. 44-20308 to 20337

RAF Serial No. KJ298 TO KJ327



A/C Serial No. 44-20488 to 20527

RAF Serial No. KJ328 TO KJ367



A/C Serial No. 44-20628 to 20657

RAF Serial No. KL168 TO KL197



A/C Serial No. 44-20738 to 20797

RAF Serial No. KL198 TO KL257

A/C Serial No. 44-20817 to 20846

RAF Serial No. KL258 TO KL287



A/C Serial No. 44-20877 to 20906

RAF Serial No. KL288 TO KL317



A/C Serial No. 44-20947 to 20976

RAF Serial No. KL318 TO KL347



P-47 Variant: 30-RA

A/C Serial No. 44-90076 to 90120

RAF Serial No. KL838 TO KL882



A/C Serial No. UNKOWN

RAF Serial No. KL883 TO KL886



P-47 Variant: 40-RA

A/C Serial No. 44-90335

RAF Serial No. KL887

[Guest]

Thank you for your help

Thanks to all

Regards

Mr fudge

[Guest]

I think D-25 is about right -

I am building a VFS P47D Bubbletop.I want to make the model to represent the RAF machine in Burma.

According to Aircraft Profile 7 this machine would have been an equivalent of a P47D-25.

The instructions for the kit however say that the aircraft was a P47D-28.

Who's right?

The way I understand my references the D-25 would have been constructed with the corrugated cockpit floor and the D-28 the "flat" floor.

My second question is were the wheel wells painted zinc chromate yellow like other internal parts?

I have not been able to find a colour picture of the wheel wells so far - only restored machines with some modern replacement finish.

TIA

RAF Thunderbolts generally were D-25 I think with the corrugated floor. And Zinc Yellow Chromate should do the trick - that's how I did mine

Dave

[Guest]

hi - astounded by your knowledge - just started modelling again and building a matchbox 1/72nd thunderbolt (quite interested in this model and i.ve just secured the 1/24th scale) - which colour silver should i use for outside surfaces - cheers, dave