This new landscape-format softback has a wealth of inspiring colour profiles to influence your P-47 ‘Razorback’ livery choices, as CHRIS CLIFFORD reveals.
One of the most revered World War Two fighters, Republic’s P-47 has long been popular with kit manufacturers and modellers alike. If you favour this machine in its P-47C/D ‘Razorback’ format, Mushroom Model Publishing’s new 56-page softback will have huge appeal in terms of reference… and in directing possible streams of thought concerning potential colour schemes on your builds.
Read our review of Dora Wings' recently released 1/48 P-47B
P-47 Razorbacks of 8th AF Colours features two colour profiles on almost every page, there being two other pages offering plan views. The common denominator is that all artworks represent the high-back P-47 – mainly in Olive Drab over Neutral Gray, but with a scattering of bare-metal examples. Several of the airframes shown are properly famous due to the efforts of their pilots, such as Frances Gabreski and ‘Hub’ Zemke, although many here were new to me personally. Standout inclusions are the 56th Fighter Group P-47C Lucky Little Devil, flown by Maj John W Vogt Jr, 353rd FG pilot Capt Lonnie M Davis’ P-47D MUD N’ MULES, and the fabulously adorned P-47D Red Raider... the mount of the 352nd FG's Capt Earl L Abbott. Thunderbolts throughout the book are categorised by particular user fighter groups.
Some Thunderbolts in this book can be replicated thanks to aftermarket decals past and present, although technologically adept modellers who can design and print their own markings have heaps of inspiration throughout; many of these schemes still elude us in scale form. Each profile comes with its own captions detailing the relevant pilot, unit, camouflage notes and basic bullet-pointed airframe timelines. Who knows... MMP's new work might even light a fire under noted aftermarket decal producers, to emulate some of the schemes therein.
This book is sure to please fans of the mighty ‘Jug’, as it was nicknamed, and is vital reference for any P-47D fan building on a theme – and will surely have you surfing the ‘net in anticipation of finding suitable kits/decals. It costs £15 and is available in the UK via Casemate Publishing.
P-47 Razorbacks of 8th AF Colours
By: Artur Juszcak
Format: 210 x 299mm
ISBN: 978-83-67227-11-7
