Republic P-47B Thunderbolt

Dora Wings, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

The XP-47B was first flown on May 6, 1941. It was powered by a 1,960 hp XR-2800-21 engine and featured an elliptical wing, an all-metal construction (except for the fabric-covered control surfaces), and a hinged canopy.

The main landing gear retracted inward into the wings, telescoping nine inches to clear the underside of the fuselage, and the steerable tailwheel was fully retractable.

With a loaded weight of 12,086 lbs, the XP-47B was almost twice as heavy as its contemporaries. Performance was higher than expected with a maximum speed of 412 mph.

The XP-47B crashed on August 8, 1942, however, an order for 773 production aircraft had been placed almost two years before on September 13, 1940.

The production aircraft, designated P-47B, differed from the prototype in that out was powered by a 2,000 hp production R-2800-21 engine, had a sliding canopy in place of the original hinged unit, and redesigned metal ailerons and elevators.

Only 171 of the original order were completed as P-47Bs before production switched to the P-47C.

The aircraft's nickname, Thunderbolt, was created by Republic's Director of Military Contracts, C. Hart Miller.*

Early P-47 Thunderbolt in 1/48 scale

There has been no shortage of 1/48 scale P-47D Thunderbolt kits over the decades, with the Tamiya kit currently holding the undisputed crown, but there has never been a dedicated, injection moulded plastic kit of the P-47B or C - or even early block P-47Ds - until now.

Dora Wings has now released a 1/48 scale P-47B Thunderbolt.

Dora Wings' early Thunderbolt comprises 129 parts in grey plastic; six parts in clear, 31 photo-etched parts on a single fret, die-cut vinyl masks and decals for four marking options.

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Thumbnail panels:

The kit’s designers have been thorough in identifying the characteristics of this early Thunderbolt including fabric covered elevators and rudder, reduced number of cowl flaps, flat or bulged keel, alternative vents or covers in the fuselage sides for the supercharger, the canted aerial mast, unique turtleneck and more.

Although they are not mentioned in the assembly sequence, alternative metal covered elevators and rudder are included on the sprues. I believe that some P-47Bs were retrofitted with all-metal control surfaces so check your references.

The plastic is very smooth and semi-shiny, similar to last year's Vultee Vengeance but perhaps even nicer. It really looks like long-run moulding.

Surface textures are made up mainly from crisply recessed, fine panel lines and small hatches.

Fabric texture on the rudder and elevators are subtly done with narrow raised rib tape depicted.

Sprue attachment points are narrow, but they do extend onto the visible outside surfaces of the wings and fuselage so take care when removing the parts and cleaning up.

There are a limited number of locating pins on the fuselage and flying surfaces but you will want to pay attention to alignment when committing to glue.

The cockpit comprises 16 plastic parts plus photo-etched parts for harness straps, throttle, handles and other small detail parts.

The cockpit features a corrugated floor and detail throughout is very good.

The instrument panel is plastic with raised bezels and switches. A decal overlay with instrument dial detail is provided.

The seat looks a little slab-sided to my eye. I'll probably sand down the sides and back.

A wing spar is supplied to ensure the correct dihedral and a firm join between the wing and the fuselage.

The engine is nicely detailed with a ring of pushrods, two sets of finely detailed cylinder banks and crankcase.

The cowling is made up from just two plastic parts with closed cowl flaps moulded in place and a one-piece forward cowl. I think this is a much easier parts breakdown than some of Dora Wings' earlier releases that featured photo-etched metal flaps.

The wings are made up from four main parts - port and starboard upper and lower parts. Flaps are moulded shut but control surfaces are separate parts that may be posed neutral or offset.

Each main undercarriage assembly includes separate oleo scissors, covers and four-piece wheels with smooth tread pattern.

Clear parts look good. The canopy is made up from two separate parts but surprisingly, there is no option to display the canopy open. The turtledeck and sliding canopy section are moulded as one piece.

Dora Wings has very included die-cut, self-adhesive canopy masks, which will save you some time.

Instructions are supplied on a 16-page, glossy booklet. There are 44 illustrated construction steps.

The marking guide is in full colour.

Markings

The decal sheet is printed by Decograph from Ukraine. The decals are satin in finish.

Registration and printing look good.

Markings are supplied for four options, three USAAC and one Brazilian.

It is great to finally have an early version P-47 Thunderbolt as a high quality, injection-moulded plastic kit.

Dora Wings’ 1/48 scale P-47B boasts a high level of detail and smooth, flawless plastic with crisply recessed surface textures. The kit’s designers have been thorough in identifying the characteristics of this early Thunderbolt including fabric covered elevators and rudder, reduced number of cowl flaps, flat or bulged keel, alternative vents or covers in the fuselage sides for the supercharger, the canted aerial mast, unique turtleneck and more.

I was also pleased to see that the cowl flaps were moulded as part of the engine cowlings - no individual metal flaps thank goodness - and the engine has a simple attachment to the front of the firewall.

As a limited run model, there are fewer locating pins and alignment aids, but I do not foresee any real hurdles for even a moderately experienced modeller.

It is also worth remembering that this Ukrainian company continues to produce and distribute their kits in the middle of a war and with their CEO fighting on the front lines. Buying this kit is one small way to support the Ukrainian effort.

Highly Recommended.

*Historical summary adapted from Wikipedia

Thanks to Dora Wings for the review sample.

Review Text and Images Copyright © 2023 by Brett Green
Page Created 25 August, 2023
Last updated 25 August, 2023

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