The new-tool 1/48 P-47D by Miniart has been re-released in its Advanced Kit form with fresh markings for RAF airframes, as CHRIS CLIFFORD reveals.
Fans of Republic’s imposing P-47D Thunderbolt had a treat in store when MiniArt issued its new-tool kit last year. It has since been re-boxed on several occasions, with different USAAF and Free French liveries. Now, though, the Advanced Kit with more features has been re-released with a Royal Air Force moniker as item 48-012, with markings for three different camouflaged RAF Thunderbolt Mk.II airframes. Two of these are for the RAF’s South East Asia Command (SEAC), sporting Dark Earth, Dark Green and Medium Sea Grey. These are accompanied by an Egypt-based training asset in Dark Green, Ocean Grey and Medium Sea Grey. In detail, the airframes are:
• KJ140/RS-B, 30 Squadron, Jumchar, India, autumn 1944
• KJ159/30, 73 Operational training Unit, Egypt, spring 1945
• HD235/NV-S, 79 Squadron, Wangjing, India, spring 1945
Besides the highly detailed cockpit, features of this tooling include a complete engine and exhaust system fully equipped gun bays and ammunition trays, poseable flaps. It also comes with the standard but comprehensive array of stores, comprising three styles of fuel tank, four types of bomb and even a smoke dispenser. The India-based machines wear proper SEAC insignia, therefore having roundels and fin flashes with the so-called ‘India White’ pale blue portions. However, these are arguably a little too dark. Pleasingly, though, the 73 OTU example wears cool ace of spades nose art. Considering the detail levels, the kit is great value at £59.99 and, as with all other MiniArt products, can be found at official UK importer Creative Models.
