Tamiya 1/48 P-47D Razorback

[blkhwkmatt]

I built this one back in 2019 while stationed at Ft Rucker. A crash site was discovered in France that contained parts of this aircraft and personal effects of the pilot, who was listed as missing after disappearing on a mission. The lieutenant was from the local area and the town he was from had a small museum in his memory. A friend of mine brought me the story, knew that I built WWII aircraft and asked if I could build this for the museum. I'd have to look but I think that there is even an article on his long journey home. 

The kit is typical Tamiya, and probably one of the best that they have made until the new molds the last year or so. No issues what so ever  during the build. Here are the pictures of the finished kit and base. Decals are a mix of suppliers, SN and codes match squadron records for the aircraft he was flying when he went missing.





















Thanks for looking!

[chromdome35]

Thats a great looking bird!!! Cool story to go along with it. I bet they were very happy with it.

[Leon]

Nicely done and a great story!

[mustang1989]

That is indeed a well built, painted and weathered up build. The base only adds to the awesome scale on this aircraft. Say.....is that a decal checkerboard pattern on the nose or is it painted up like that? Very impressive model Matt and as Brian said, I'm sure that the museum is VERY happy with that addition. 

[garydavis-Rest In Peace]

You did a great job building the plane and base. I'll bet the Museum was tickled "PINK" when the saw it...eh?

[blkhwkmatt]

Apr 22, 2023 2:14:25 GMT -5 chromdome35 said:

Thats a great looking bird!!! Cool story to go along with it. I bet they were very happy with it.

From what I was told, yes they were very grateful for the addition to the small museum. At the time I was unaware that the US still had teams of people looking throughout Europe to find missing service members and return their remains to the states for proper burial, was cool to learn about that and then in the process to learn about this particular incident.

[blkhwkmatt]

Apr 22, 2023 6:33:53 GMT -5 mustang1989 said:

That is indeed a well built, painted and weathered up build. The base only adds to the awesome scale on this aircraft. Say.....is that a decal checkerboard pattern on the nose or is it painted up like that? Very impressive model Matt and as Brian said, I'm sure that the museum is VERY happy with that addition. 

Joe - It was fun to have a "greater" purpose for a build. I mean it's challenging building on a deadline, but felt good to donate to the museum. 

Yes the checkerboard on the nose is a decal, got it off of an AM set for the fighter group he belonged to. Also found a good book "The Slybirds" that had great information and on this and a ton of pictures.

Thanks for the kind words. 

[Medicman71]

Very nice build and story!

[keavdog]

Nice Jug. Love those checkerboard cowls - and what great motivation to do a build.