Hasegawa 1/48 P-47D-25

[jeaton01]

Another Hasegawa kit underway while I wait for pint for the A6M3.  I know the Tamiya P-47's are very nice, but this one can't be far below.  I'm using some Eduard PE and a Superscale decal set from which I will do the Jaywalking Molecule.

 

[handiabled]

Great looking office!

[kyledehart5]

I'm in. I dig the P-47. Nice start on the work space

[deafpanzer]

Always liked those! Count me in too.

[406 Silverado]

Man that pit looks the business John. I've always been amazed at how big these cockpits were!! Very spacious!!

[jeaton01]

Thanks, all!

Some gloss dark sea blue as undercoat for the Alclad II to come.

[Joe Rix]

Excellent kit selection John. Grand work on the office. I've yet to see dark sea blue used as an undercoat for Alclad. Is there specific reason for this? Does this effect the tone of the NMF? I am quite curious.

[Tojo72]

Nice start there,I love those old Hasegawa kits.

[M1Carbine]

John - front office is beautiful, looking forward to more.

-Bob

[brandonk]

Looking good. That bmf is gonna look great with that base.

[TJ]

Oh yea....I'm watching this

[stikpusher]

Looking good John!

[jeaton01]

I seem to be doing more building than posting on this one, and it is getting close to done. Most of the markings are stenciled and painted, except for the small ones like the tail numbers, etc.  The stars and bars are decales, just seems easier as there is little risk of silvering, unlike around code letters and that big billboard name.

I did find the source of the odd name and I will post that explanation later. Here's the current state.

[406 Silverado]

I'd most surely would be happy with the progress that you've posted here bud. I hear you on using decals for the stars and bars. Although I've seen folks paint them on using masks and all, I'd be afraid I'd screw all of that up sooo.....decals it would be. Lookin' good John.

[deafpanzer]

Looking great John! I look forward to learn how you came up with the name!

[handiabled]

The NMF on this looks great!

[kyledehart5]

I am also intrigued about the name. Really nice and quick work on this. I really like the color scheme and natural metal too.

[jeaton01]

Thanks, everyone, for the nice comments and interest. I am ready to call it done, although as usual there could be more to do. It seems like there always is, but I have put on all those little sticky out bits and don't want to break them off.

At the end of the pictures is the name information, it is rather interesting. Before that is my current stable of 1/48 P-47's, the ProModeler N, the D-25 just built, and the last of the breed, the XP-72. A Koster vac conversion using the Monogram kit as a donor.  Had the P-72 gone into production it would have had the same wing as the N.



























Origin of the Jaywalkin Molecule

The guy who wrote the (Time magazine) B29 article reported that he was told by a scientist on the project that when flying at high speed, the stabs went transonic - which was no small problem for the SuperFort! He then tried to describe the effect in simple terms for the readers. Basically, He said the air molecules hit the stabs and scattered in many directions causing an unwanted transonic vibration.

Moving forward a few months to the September issue ( which Capt. Lipscomb also read) someone wrote into the magazine & had his letter published in the readers section.

He noted that he read the original article and was intrigued by the " Jaywalkin' molecules" that the scientist had described. He then asked if the magazine artist had any artistic take as to what the " Jaywalking Molecules" looked like. Below his query was an image of the artists rendering of a Jaywalkin' Molecule.

After seeing this caricature, the pilot got his tent mate (Charles Dooney) to help him apply this same image to the cowl of his P-47 and apply the name Jaywalkin' Molecule” to the fuselage side.


Now if you see a similarity to the style of artwork and application of the name to the Turtle series of 509th P-47s and the same type of lettering down the side of The Molecule, (there were 10 Turtles) you shouldn’t be surprised by the fact that Dooney was the artist and pilot for all of the Turtle P-47s.

Norris Graser

[handiabled]

Great looking bubbletop and an interesting story to accompany it

[kyledehart5]

Very cool story about the name. Really cool livery in general. That's a great collection of P-47s you have there too.

[stikpusher]

Great finish John! Thanks for the background information on the actual aircraft. I thought that this one was from the same Fighter Group as "The Turtle". And I do love your P-47 family portrait there. Now it needs a P-35 and P-43. Perhaps a razorback P-47 as well...

[jeaton01]

Oct 28, 2023 13:29:29 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

Great finish John! Thanks for the background information on the actual aircraft. I thought that this one was from the same Fighter Group as "The Turtle". And I do love your P-47 family portrait there. Now it needs a P-35 and P-43. Perhaps a razorback P-47 as well...

I agree about the next additions, Carlos.  Those are all in the stash, as well as the Koster XP-47J conversion set.  The B and C are both possible now due to Dora Wings.  On pre-order at Squadron since 10/20!

[keavdog]

Nice work John. And an interesting story

[buddho]

Simply gorgeous!

[dupes]

Great finish! How did the Hasegawa go together? Have you done a Tamiya to compare it to? I love jugs.

[jeaton01]

Oct 29, 2023 11:42:10 GMT -5 dupes said:

Great finish! How did the Hasegawa go together? Have you done a Tamiya to compare it to? I love jugs.

Thanks, everyone!

I have several of the Tamiya Thunderbolts but haven't built them yet.  The Hasegawa kit was a great fitting trouble free build.  This was a kit I have had for many years so I made no attempt with the kit decals but that would be the only issue I would mention.  Tamiya decals also can have their issues, of course.  I used the Eduard PE instrument panel, and will probably do the same with the Tamiya kits as my fat fingers give me issues doing little bitty dials.

[ogrejohn]

That is one fine looking Jug!

[TJ]

This is just so cool

[dupes]

I've done the Tamiya and Academy jugs...but not this one, yet. I'd better drag one out soon!

Same boat re: decals - I go aftermarket as often as possible.

[ak]

Awesome! I’m glad to know the story on this plane.