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MiniArt to Release “Highly Detailed” P-47M Thunderbolt Advanced Kit

MiniArt has announced the upcoming release of a P-47M Thunderbolt Advanced Kit in 1/48 scale.

The P-47M varint was a late-war, high-speed Thunderbolt built for fast interception, using an uprated Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engine and featuring the dorsal fin on the rear fuselage to improve directional stability with the bubble canopy. It was the quickest production P-47, but engine teething troubles limited its combat use, and it saw service only briefly with the 56th Fighter Group in Europe.

The upcoming kit (48042) is described as “highly detailed” with realistic representations of the metal surfaces, rivets and panel lines. Three decal options will also be included. The company previously released a Basic version with two marking options (Buy on eBay)

As of this writing, the new advanced kit is said to be “coming soon.” Click below to check out a series of newly released renderings.

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First Look: Test Build of DoraWings P-47 B/C Thunderbolt

DoraWings has released the first test build images of their new P-47 B/C Thunderbolt in 1/72 scale.

The B/C was the early production P-47 variant, built around a powerful Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial engine and an advanced turbosupercharger that gave it strong high-altitude performance. It was heavily armed with eight .50-caliber machine guns and soon proved especially valuable as a bomber escort and fighter-bomber, where its speed in a dive, heavy firepower, and ability to absorb battle damage made it one of the most formidable Allied aircraft of WW2.

As was the case when we shared the first renderings of the model, details remain scarce, although many photos of the test build have been released, additional examples of which can be seen below.

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MiniArt Announces New Dorsal Fin P-47M Model Kit

MiniArt has announced a new addition to their line of 1/48 P-47 kits in the form of the P-47M (with dorsal fin).

The dorsal fin-equipped P-47M variant was a specialized late-WW2 modification of the P-47D bubbletop fighter, featuring a triangular fillet forward of the vertical stabilizer added to enhance directional stability after the redesigned rear fuselage caused yaw issues, as seen on later P-47D-40 models and retrofitted to some P-47Ms. Only about 130 P-47Ms were built, equipped with a high-output Pratt & Whitney R-2800-57(C) engine (2,800 hp with water injection) and improved turbo-supercharger for speeds up to 470-500 mph at altitude, optimized for intercepting V-1 buzz bombs and Me 262 jets while armed with eight .50-caliber machine guns.

The upcoming release is offered as a basic kit and will include two marking options. As of this writing a final release date has not been announced. Click below to check out additional images, including livery profiles.

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DoraWings Shares Renderings of Upcoming P-47 B/C Thunderbolt

DoraWings has released a series of renderings for a new Republic P-47 B/C Thunderbolt model in 1/72 scale. As of this writing, details are scarce, although work on the model is reportedly underway, with the first molds having already been milled.

Click below to check out additional renders.

Continue reading DoraWings Shares Renderings of Upcoming P-47 B/C Thunderbolt