P-47M Thunderbolt exterior - Cat # 32 200 Two frets of PE are supplied and the quality is of Eduard’s usual extremely high standard. Most of the parts are similar to Eduard’s earlier D-25 release but they have included parts to improve the dive brakes that were fitted to D-30 batch Thunderbolts to overcome the compressibility problems. The areas of the kit addressed by this set being:
Exhaust hinge plate and oil control doors. Intercooler doors and interior on the fuselage sides. Ignition harness for the Pratt & Whitney engine. Grills for the oil cooling system and supercharger air intake. Replacements for the kits dive flaps (kit parts F2 and F3) Flap hinges and additions for the flaps. Bomb fins and additions for the brace’s and hard points.
P-47M Thunderbolt Undercarriage Set - Cat # 32 204 This set also features two frets. Although marked as for use on a “M” this set is more a generic set for all thunderbolts and supplies more parts than their earlier D-25 set does. The areas addressed by this set are:
Detail for the main wheel bay side walls Wiring and brake lines for the wheel bays and main undercarriage legs Replacement scissor links Replacement parts for the main undercarriage doors Tail wheel doors
P-47M Interior Set - Cat # 32 616 This set also features two frets, (one of which is pre printed and self adhesive) and a small piece of film for the two different gun sights. This set can be used for any Thunderbolt from the D-28 Batch onwards not just the M. The quality of the pre painted photo etch is outstanding, especially the instrument panel, placards and seatbelts.
Areas addressed by this set are:
New rudder pedals. Instrument panel. Cockpit sidewall details. Seat belts. A replacement seat. Front and rear Cockpit bulkheads. Gunsight.
Summary: Three brilliant sets, which will help make your P-47M (or D-28 batch onwards) Thunderbolt stand out from the crowd. The instructions for the exterior set have you grind the dive flap parts to attach the PE, but I think it would be easier gluing the PE to some correct thickness plastic card to replace the entire part. For some reason Eduard has omitted the cowl flap actuators that they provided with the earlier P-47D-25 etch set, which is a shame. Having not used them before I do have some reservations about the self adhesive as it may be prove to be difficult when test fitting to the plastic parts. Unfortunately my instructions for these set didn’t come in the usual colour print but fortunately Eduard do provide these (in colour) as Adobe PDF files on their website.
SUMMARY
Highs: Three excellent sets of PE for an already very high quality kit. That can be used for some Thunderbolts earlier than a “M”Lows: Self adhesive PE could be a problem when it comes to checking the fit of some parts. No cowl flap actuators included unlike the earlier D-25 set.Verdict: Improve your Hasegawa Bubbletop to a P-47D-28 onwards with these sets. Undercarriage and Exterior set addresses some important areas, including the gears doors and dive brakes.
About Allen Berry (Tomcat31) FROM: ENGLAND - NORTH EAST, UNITED KINGDOM
Hi my names Allen and I've been modelling since the age of 13. I build all kinds of genres from aircraft to cars to figures (basically anything that takes my fancy). Away from the model bench I work as a Senior IT Engineer for a local Health Care provider. I was also an Adult Flight Sgt for the Air ...
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