Republic P-47C Thunderbolt
with Ferry Tank

Dora Wings, 1/48 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

Several improvements were incorporated into the P-47B Thunderbolt starting with the 172nd production aircraft on September 14, 1942.

The resulting P-47C featured a redesigned metal rudder, as the original fabric-covered unit was prone to tail flutter which frequently led to crashes.

A revised oxygen system was fitted, as were new SCR-274-N and SCR-515-A radios.

The main external difference between the P-47B and C was the upright antenna mast, which replaced the B's forward-swept mast.

The C variant was built in four production blocks totaling 602 aircraft, with production ending in February 1943 when Republic's Farmingdale, New York plant switched to the P-47D.*

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 released their all-new 1/48 scale P-47B Thunderbolt around August 2023. This was a highly detailed and impressively moulded kit.

Jug fans will be delighted that they haven't had to wait too long for Dora Wings' next Thunderbolt variant.

Dora Wings' 1/48 scale P-47C Thunderbolt kit features three new sprues - two in grey plastic and one clear - plus three resin parts and two decal sheets with four new marking options.

The sprues include brand new fuselage halves that reflect the 8" forward fuselage extention that was added from the P-47C-1 onward.

Also included is the side engine cowling with three cooling flaps per side and the notch below.

The big 205 gallon belly tank and a centreline 75 gallon drop tank are also on the sprues.

Note that the P-47C was fitted with metal elevators and rudder, and either a whip antenna or a vertical aerial mast on the spine. The P-47C may have been fitted with the flat or bulged keel too. All these are included on the sprues that we have already seen on Dora Wings' 1/48 P-47B kit with the exception of the whip antenna. Stretched sprue will be your friend here.

Dora Wings has included a new set of resin wheels - main wheels and tail wheels.

The main wheels feature a diamond pattern tread. Detail on the anti-shimmy tail wheel looks great.

A new clear sprue is also found in the kit. This represents the solid turtledeck.

In Detail

The kit’s designers have been thorough in identifying the characteristics of this Thunderbolt variant

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.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

• 
• 

Thumbnail panels:

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 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 two decal sheets are printed by Decograph from Ukraine.

The decals are satin in finish.

Four marking schemes are included. All of them feature the big ferry tank.

Registration and printing look good.

Markings are supplied for four options, all USAAF.

It is great to see Dora Wings' high quality, injection-moulded 1/48 scale Thunderbolt family expand to include the P-47C.

Dora Wings’ 1/48 scale P-47C 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 Thunderbolt including metal covered rudder, flat or bulged keel, correct number of cowl flaps 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 12 December, 2023

Back to HyperScale Main Page

Back to Reviews Page