P-47D "Razorback"

Platz, 1/144 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

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Platz released a jewel-like 1/144 scale P-47D "Bubbletop" Thunderbolt in the first half of 2008. Now they have added the Razorback to their line of excellent small-scale kits.

Platz's 1/144 scale P-47D Razorback package includes two complete Thunderbolt kits and four marking options. Each kit comprises 34 parts in grey plastic and two parts in clear. The box art features the actual model embedded in an in-flight scene.

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Thumbnail panels:

The crispness and quality of the plastic must be seen to be believed. Despite their size, the surface texture is beautifully fine and crisp, featuring recessed panel lines and vents that look "in-scale" even under significant photographic magnification. Trailing edges of wings and control surfaces are amazingly sharp too. They put many larger scale offering to shame.

There are no sink marks or other moulding imperfections obvious on my sample. A small amount of flash is present on the end of each pitot tube (moulded to the wing), but this will only take seconds to clean up.

The detail is as impressive as the moulding. A separate seat is supplied, along with a clear instrument panel. Although there are no instruments on the panel (you are welcome to have a crack at these yourself), the real benefit of this clear panel is the integrated gunsight which may be seen through the closed canopy.

The canopy is not surprisingly a single part. it is remarkably thin and clear with crisply defined framing.

Main gear bays are boxed in and incorporate a decent representation of the corrugated interior. Each undercarriage leg is made up from three parts, including a separate wheel and upper gear cover.

The one-piece engine includes the cylinders, push rod, magneto and crank case. The complex three-section intake inside the engine cowl is also well represented by a separate part.

Platz has supplied ample ordnance options including bomb racks and bombs, "bazooka" rockets, and centreline flat drop tank. Three styles of propeller are also included (Hamilton Standard plus symmetrical and asymmetrical Curtiss Electric).

Marking options are supplied for:

• P-47D-15-RE, Lt. Frank Klibbe, 56th FG, 61st FS, ETO UK 1944 finished in Olive Drab and Neutral Grey with red cowl and rudder, and large artwork on the nose.

• P-47D-22-RE, Capt James W. Wilkinson, 78th FG, 82nd FS, ETO UK 1944, also finished in Olive Drab and Neutral Grey, but with a black and white chequered nose.

• P-47D-5-RE, Capt Walker Mahurin, 56th FG, 63rd FS, ETO UK 1944, finished in Olive Drab over Neutral Grey with white cowl and ID stripes.

• P-47D-23-RA, LTC Stanton T Smith Jr., 80th FG, 10th AF, CBI 1945 finished in bare metal and with a red, yellow and blue cowl ring. Blue ID stripes are also carried on the fin and rudder.

The decals are glossy, thin, opaque and well printed. Colours look good. Extra kill marks are offered for the sharp-eyed, as well as additional end sections of the national markings for the open supercharger colling vent - very considerate details.

An Olive Drab anti-glare panel is supplied in decal form for the bare metal option too.

Platz's P-47D Razorback joins their earlier Bubble Top in a tie for the best 1/144 scale WWII fighter kits that I have ever seen.

Despite their diminutive size, Platz's have accepted almost no compromises in detail or surface features for their tiny Thunderbolts.

The engineering is superb too, resulting in a fast precise build.

At less than USD$8.00 per kit (around $16.00 for two), you will be able to afford a whole Squadron of small scale Jugs!

Highly Recommended.

Thanks to HobbyLink Japan for the sample

Review Text Copyright © 2009 by Brett Green
Page Created 15 January, 2009
Last updated 15 January, 2009

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