Tag: P-47

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MiniArt Releases New “Duxford Eagles” P-47D-22-RE Thunderbolt Basic Kit

MiniArt has released a new P-47D-22RE Thunderbolt basic kit in 1/48 scale.

The P-47D-22-RE was a late-production “razorback” fighter built at Farmingdale, New York, retaining the raised rear fuselage and framed canopy of earlier Thunderbolts. Its principal improvement was a large Hamilton Standard paddle-blade propeller, which made better use of the aircraft’s power and improved climb performance. Powered by a turbo-supercharged Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engine with water injection for additional combat power, it carried eight .50-caliber machine guns and could carry bombs or external fuel tanks, making it effective in both fighter-escort and ground-attack roles during World War II.

The new kit (48049) is described as “highly detailed” and includes realistic metal surfaces with fine rivet and panel details. It includes four marking options representing aircraft serving with the famous “Duxford Eagles” of the 78th Fighter Group, Eighth Air Force based at RAF Duxford.

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P-47N Thunderbolt Units of the Central Pacific: An Illustrated Study

Coming soon from Osprey Publishing and author Jonathan Bernstein is P-47N Thunderbolt Units of the Central Pacific, an illustrated study of the N-model of the USAAF’s P-47 Thunderbolt and the essential role it played in the end of the war in the Pacific.

The P-47N was the final variant of the most produced American fighter of World War 2, the Republic Thunderbolt, and featured a redesigned wing, more powerful engine and increased range. Its late introduction limited the aircraft’s combat use to the closing months of the Pacific War over the Japanese home islands, where it excelled as a long-range strike fighter from May to August 1945. Thanks to its ‘long legs’, the aircraft – based on Ie Shima and Iwo Jima – was used to attack Japanese fighter airfields in advance of B-29 Superfortress raids that struck industrial targets.

In this engrossing volume, former US Army pilot Jonathan Bernstein details the actions of those who flew the ultimate Thunderbolt into combat, including the handful of P-47N pilots who achieved ace status with the fighter. First-hand accounts help to bring these exploits to life, whilst 20 newly commissioned profile artworks and a selection of archival photographs detail the innovations and capabilities that made the N-model a key aircraft of the Pacific War’s final phase.

The 96 page, paperback book is currently available for pre-order with release set for June 24, 2027.

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MiniArt Releases New P-47M Thunderbolt Advanced Kit With PE, Three Liveries

MiniArt has released their new P-47M Thunderbolt Advanced Kit in 1/48 scale.

As previously reported, 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 new kit (48042) is described as “highly detailed” with realistic representations of the metal surfaces, rivets and panel lines. PE parts and three marking options are also included. The company previously released a Basic version with two marking options.

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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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MiniArt Releases New P-47D-20RA Thunderbolt Advanced Kit

MiniArt has released their new P-47D-20RA “advanced” kit in 1/48 scale.

The P-47D-20RA was an Evansville-built late-war Thunderbolt variant that kept the P-47’s rugged airframe, eight .50-caliber machine guns, and strong fighter-bomber capability while adding the “universal” wing for bombs or drop tanks and the more powerful R-2800 engine family. It was part of the evolution that made the Thunderbolt one of the U.S. Army Air Forces’ toughest and most versatile WWII fighters.

As previously reported, the offering (48043) represents the type in service during the 1944 the Saipan campaign and includes PE parts, detailed cockpit and exterior surfaces and marking options for four aircraft.

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MiniArt Releases New Long Range P-47N-2RE Thunderbolt Model Kit

MiniArt has released their new P-47N-2RE Thunderbolt Basic model kit in 1/48 scale.

Aas previously reported, this particular variant was a long-range version of the famous American fighter. Designed for extended operations, the P-47N featured a distinctive wing shape and increased fuel capacity, making it well suited for late-war escort and ground attack missions.

The kit (48068) is part of a range of new P-47 variants offered by the company. It is described as highly detailed and accurate with photo-etched parts and marking options for two aircraft.

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MiniArt Announces Upcoming P-47D-20RA Advanced Kit With Saipan Focus

MiniArt is set to add to their growing line of P-47 variants with an upcoming P-47D-20RA “advanced” kit in 1/48 scale.

The P-47D-20RA was an Evansville-built late-war Thunderbolt variant that kept the P-47’s rugged airframe, eight .50-caliber machine guns, and strong fighter-bomber capability while adding the “universal” wing for bombs or drop tanks and the more powerful R-2800 engine family. It was part of the evolution that made the Thunderbolt one of the U.S. Army Air Forces’ toughest and most versatile WWII fighters.

The upcoming offering (48043) represents the type in service during the 1944 the Saipan campaign and includes PE parts, detailed cockpit and exterior surfaces and marking options for four aircraft.

As of this writing a final release date has not been announced. Click below to check out livery options, detail parts and sample sprue shots.

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MiniArt to Expand Line of P-47 Kits With Long Range P-47N Model

MiniArt is continuing their line of P-47 kits with the announcement of a new P-47N-2RE Thunderbolt basic model kit in 1/48 scale.

This particular variant was a long-range version of the famous American fighter. Designed for extended operations, the P-47N featured a distinctive wing shape and increased fuel capacity, making it well suited for late-war escort and ground attack missions.

The upcoming kit (48068) is described as highly detailed and accurate with photo-etched parts and marking options for two aircraft. As of this writing the kit is said to be “coming soon,” although an exact release date has not been announced. Click below to check out livery profiles and box contents.

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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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