MAQUETTE À MONTER - Republic P-47D Thunderbolt "Bubbletop" Tamiya | N° 61090 | 1:48 **LIKE NEW INSIDE UNOPENED**

Characteristics

Description

In May 1941, while the war was raging in Europe, a single-engine fighter weighing over 4tons made its first flight. The revolutionary plane was the prototype of the P-47 Thunderbolt, of which a total of 15,683 units would be built in all. This experimental aircraft was equipped with a 2000hp radial XR-2800 engine and armed with eight 12.7mm machine-guns, this prototype was able to reach 633km/h. In January 1942, just after the US went to war, the production of the P-47B began. It was followed by the P-47C, which incorporated various improvements. In April 1943, in the P-47D, the R-2800-59 engine featuring a water injection system, and could generate up to 2300hp in an emergency combat scenario. Ducts on the sides and below the fuselage connected to the supercharger placed behind the pilot's seat and contributed to this plane's massive form. The P-47D, which equipped many units such as the 56th FG of the 8th Air Force, used in escort B-17 and B-24 bombers. Many sub-types of the P-47D, designated D-1 to D-40 were produced. One sub-type the P-47D, designated D-25, first deployed from June, 1944. The D-25 replaced that Razorback type, and offered increased visibility with its electric powered, workable bubble type canopy. The D-25 also featured increased fuel capacity with its widened rear fuselage. This change was employed on each type produced after the D-25, and became a major characteristic feature of the later P-47D. The P-47D Bubbletop achieved remarkable balance as an efficient fighter/bomber, and earned the P-47D Thunderbolt an excellent reputation as a short range higher praise.

More to read about the KIT here, thanks to scalemates, a Belgian Scale modeling database