Ukraine’s MiniArt has reissued its recent 1/48 P-47D with fresh markings and parts for World War Two Free French airframes.
MiniArt’s recent 1/48 new-tool P-47D Thunderbolt is undoubtedly keeping many modellers busy, but that doesn’t mean the maker is resting on its laurels. To ensure variety – and to get the most from its moulds – Miniart has now issued another boxing (48015), offering the Basic Kit styrene parts and several tweaks to components, chiefly a new ‘cuffed’ propeller plus frame Db, which supplies a different cockpit floor, engine firewall and control column. Fresh decals also feature, catering for a trio of Free French Air Force ‘Jugs’, all in Olive Drab over Neutral Gray. These, all being P-47D-28REs, are:
• 44-20021/71, 2ème Escadrille ‘La Rouge’, Groupe de Chasse III/3 ‘Ardennes’, France, late 1944
• 44-19689/32, 4ème Escadrille (SPA 167), Groupe de Chasse II/5 ‘La Fayette’, France, late 1944
• 44-20037/A, 1er Escadrille (SPA 95), Groupe de Chasse 1/4 ‘Navarre’, spring 1945
Read a review of MiniArt’s initial P-47D
Two of the machines carry ‘kill’ markings, although MiniArt provides no information on pilots. Extra colour comes via yellow bands on the wings and vertical stabiliser of two airframes, while the other sports thin invasion stripes around thew wings and fuselage. The decals are bright and have good colour density but are printed with carrier film that sits somewhere between matt and satin, so they’ll need to be applied over a properly smooth surface to counter possible silvering. As with MiniArt’s other P-47Ds, a full array of stencilling is supplied, including markings for 250/500/1,000lb bombs.
This is a pleasing addition to the range, providing interesting alternative liveries to the more obvious Eighth/Ninth Air Force schemes often represented on the P-47D. The kit costs £44.99 and is available via MiniArt’s UK importer, Creative Models.
