1/48 republic p-47d thunderbol

Assembly Required Skill Level 2. Ages 12 and up. Brand new Tooling! In 1943, the 8th Air Force was launching raids on Germany with its B17 and B24 from England. The aim was to destroy German main production factories. Unfortunately, losses during theses missions were very heavy and it became urgent to develop a fighter able to escort the bombers over enemy soil. The limited ranges of the Spitfire and P-38 Lightning did not make these fighters able to go further than Paris, leaving the bombers alone to fend for themselves for the rest of the flight. With the development of the P-47, this problem was overcome. The P-47 was the first single-seated fighter to be equipped with a supercharger, allowing it to fly at the same high altitude as the bombers. This high-flying fighter was armed with eight 12.7mm machineguns that proved very useful in the intense fighting that occurred in the European skies. Equipped with drop tanks for longer range, the P-47D was then able to escort the bombers all the way to the German border. The Thunderbolt also allowed many Allied pilots to become Aces. Bomber crews plagued day after day by intensive German interceptions, would remark that the presence of the P-47 was of great help. This is the representation of P-47D early production that was nicknamed Razorback because of the shape of the upper part of the fuselage behind the cockpit. Product Details: Skill Level: 2 Scale: 1/48 Length: 230mm (9.05in) Wingspan: 259mm (10.19in) Features: The shape of the plane, especially its belly, has been accurately reproduced Wings have been divided the same way as the original plane and beams ease their assembly while maintaining proper dihedral (angle of wings attached to fuselage) Flaps can be assembled in low or up position Cowl flaps and inter-cooling flaps can be assembled in open or closed position Parts for replication of 1 X 160-gallon flat type drop tank, 2 X 180-gallon drop tanks, 2 X 500 pounds bombs and 2 X 4.5in M10 rocket launchers are included 3 different propellers, 2 Curtis and 1 Hamilton Standard, and a pilot figure are featured in the kit Three types of gun sights and mirrors 2 types of markings for 56th Fighter Group planes are included