Modelling the P-47 Thunderbolt

Building a P-47C in 1/48 scale

The P-47C and P-47D compared
The P-47C Thunderbolt is not offered in 1/48 scale by any model manufacturer. Fortunately, the differences between a P-47C and a P-47D Razorback are relatively few, the most obvious distinguishing factor being the cowl flap arrangement: the P-47C had eight cowl flaps, while the P-47D had twelve. The P-47C was manufactured in four production blocks: the P-47C-RE; P-47C-1-RE; the C-2-RE; and the C-5-RE. The sub-types were almost indistinguishable externally, although some of the latter two variants were not fitted with the usual radio mast on the rear fuselage. More significant was the absence of the ‘bulged keel’ on the lower fuselage. Straight from the factory, the lower fuselage of the P-47C was flatter than the P-47D. However, many P-47Cs were retrofitted with the bulged keel in service to permit the installation of a drop tank or a 500 lb GP bomb. A large, bulged 205-gallon unpressurised ferry tank was sometimes fitted to the C-2-RE and C-5-RE.

P-47C conversion options
There are currently three conversion options open to modellers who want to build a P-47C:
• ‘Do it yourself’: the bottom cowl flaps on any existing P-47D kit could be trimmed, filled and sanded, leaving the correct number of eight flaps for the early Thunderbolt.
• Loon Models Resin Conversion: Loon Models produce a simple resin replacement cowl with optional open or closed cowl flaps in the correct configuration for a P-47C. This conversion is designed for the new Tamiya P-47 Razorback.
• Cutting Edge Resin Conversion: Cutting Edge’s P-47C conversion is cast as one piece, including structural detail on the inside of the cowl flaps. This conversion is designed for the Hasegawa P-47 Razorback kit.
None of these options address the flat keel, and to date no company has yet produced the 205-gallon ferry tank. It should be noted that, due to subtle differences in the dimensions and contours of the Tamiya and Hasegawa fuselages, the resin conversions can only be used on the kit for which they have been designed.

Modifying the keel
If the modeller wishes to depict a non-modified P-47C with the flat keel, the simplest option is to use the Hasegawa 1/48-scale Razorback. This kit features a full-span lower wing, which should simplify the task of altering the profile of the lower fuselage. Prior to assembling the wing, the inside of the lower centre section should be packed with a two-part epoxy putty such as Milliput. Once the putty has set, a coarse file or motor tool can be used to flatten the profile of the centre section of the wing. This will leave a step between the lower fuselage between the wings and on the bottom of the fuselage halves. This discrepancy can be addressed by more sanding once the wing has been secured to the assembled fuselage. Significant filling and rescribing will be required after this surgery.

Building a P-47C with a bulged keel
By far the simpler option is to depict a P-47C that has been retrofitted with the bulged keel. In this case, either the Cutting Edge or Loon resin parts could be used. I chose to use the Loon conversion, as I wanted to re-finish and convert a Tamiya P-47D that I had built some time earlier.
The Loon Models offering is accurately touted as a ‘No Cut Conversion’. The parts are supplied almost ready to use, with none of the casting blocks familiar to most resin parts. A sharp hobby knife was used to clean up some minimal flash. The closed flaps were glued to the main cowl: the fit was perfect. The inside of the assembled cowl was sprayed with Tamiya XF-4 Yellow Green before the engine and ducting were installed. The kit parts also fitted without complications, and the entire assembly was mated to Tamiya’s kit fuselage. This must be one of the simplest resin conversions ever released!
A few other minor modifications were made. Early P-47Ds were sometimes equipped with a 75-gallon centreline drop tank, so a resin version was sourced from Teknics (item no. TK48067). The centre mount was cut from one of the kit drop tanks and glued to the top of the resin 75-gallon tank. The resin tank was then test-fitted in the slot in the bottom of the kit fuselage. The mount was removed, trimmed and adjusted until all four sway braces made contact with the drop tank. The part was then glued in place. The scoop-shaped mirror (kit part E-6) was also fitted to the top of the windscreen. Decals were sourced from Cutting Edge’s set no. CED48126, ‘Thunderbolt! Nose Art Part 1’.