Republic

P-47D Thunderbolt

Part 2

1/72 scale

Lifelike Decals

HyperScale is proudly supported by Squadron

Reviewed by Mick Evans

Lifelike Decals new release of Republic P-47D Thunderbolt Part 2 72-009 is a sequel to 72-008. This new sheet is also printed to the very high standard that we have come to expect from Microscale Industries, who perform the decal printing.

The decals are in perfect register and are sharply printed. The carrier film is very thin and should disappear under a coating of clear finish. The artwork for the nose art has been well defined with all of the data decals being readable.  

The colour reference sheet provided is printed on heavy paper and is excellent, giving good colour reference and decal placement for both sides of the aircraft where necessary. A good amount of written data and plenty of referenced material is also listed.  On the 1/48 scale sheet Lifelike made an error with the nose cowl tri-colour band.  Lifelike have proved the correct band in 1/72 scale and also provide a 1/48 scale correction sheet that is available through contacting Lifelike through their website. 

Markings are supplied for three aircraft in very striking schemes is listed below: 

·         P-47D-30-RA 44-33240 Tarheel Hal IA-N flown by LT Ike Davis of the 366FS, 358FG, probably in May 1945 based at Sandhoffen Germany. The aircraft is finished in natural metal of various shades with a Dark Blue upper deck anti glare trim with star spangles. The nose cowl ring is finished in orange and yellow, with the cowl flaps finished in orange, white and blue, (no reference is given for these colours). The fin and tail plane are also finished in orange. This is a very attractive scheme but difficult to describe in text.

·         P-47D-5-RE 42-8434 Lil lo WR-U flown by Maj Henry B Kucheman of the 354FS, 355FG in early 1944 based at Steeple Morden England. The aircraft is finished in Olive Drab over Neutral Gray with a natural metal cowling. The nose art is by well renown 355FG artist Arthur De Costa with winged angel Miss Behave on both sides.

·        P-47D-30-RE 44-20392 flown by Lt Walter Grabowski of the 511FS, 405FG in May 1945 based at Kitzingen Germany. The aircraft is finished in natural metal of various shades with an Olive Drab upper deck anti glare trim, yellow and natural metal engine cowl flaps, and a yellow nose cowl and canopy frame.

Thanks to Keishiro Nagao of Lifelike Decals for the review sample.

Lifelike Decals are available by email at lifelike@eos.ocn.ne.jp or from

2-8-7-202, Kameari, Katsushika, Tokyo 125-0061, Japan
fax: +81-3-5680-6733