1/72 Academy P-47D

by Phil Hastie

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This kit was built straight out of the box for my local modelling club's annual competition which includes a category called the Kittyhawk Cup, named for a group build we did for the Australian War Memorial in 2002 of Academy's 1/72 scale P-40E in the markings of Squadron Leader Dick Creswell CO 77SQN RAAF.  Since then we have picked a simple easy to build 1/72 scale kit that is also easy to find in the local shops for the kittyhawk Cup.  In 2005 it was expanded to include all boxings of the Academy 1/72 scale P-47, instead of one particular kit, i.e.. for 2006 it's any boxing of the Academy P-51, but they have to be built O-O-B and they have to be built in the year since the last Annual Comp.

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This kit went together like a gem, the only problems I had were with the wing to fuselage join left a very hard to clean up line in the wheel well due to it's design and the decals for the nose checks were a bugger to get to fit , I know of at least two guys who gave up and either didn't complete the model (and has given it to me for finishing in the alternative scheme), or hand painted the checks and disqualified themselves from the competition.

I painted it in Aeromaster US Green 42 for the upper colour, Aeromaster Interior Yellow for the wheel wells and other primed bits you see in the photos, Gunze Neutral Grey for the underside, Gunze Tyre Black for the tyres, Humbrol 56 Aluminium for the undercarriage struts and engine cylinders, Gunze Interior Green for the cockpit, Tamiya black for the prop, engine pushrod covers and pre-shading on the fuselage and wings, Humbrol Trainer Yellow for the prop tips.  The weathering around the gun bays was done with a HB pencil. I also gave it a light wash of thinned light grey gauche.

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Whilst it didn't win any prizes I was happy with the result except for a few decaling errors and overall it is a kit that I would recommend except for them damn nose checks. 

Now onto next years entry, the P-51B of Fred Glover, 336th FS/4thFG, England, April 1944, from kit No 1667.

Phil

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Photos and text © by Phil Hastie