LIMITED EDITION
The AVIATION archive
A detailed DIE-CAST model for the adult collector
WAR in the PACIFIC
~~John Moore scored his final four victories in this aircraft, the last of which took the form of a Zeke off Manus Island. Early photos of this P-47D suggest the fighter was conventionally camouflaged at some point, prior to adopting this unique scheme, the purpose of which has never been explained. After completing his stint as 341st FS CO in July 1944, John Moore was transferred to the group's HQ Flight and remained here until lost in action on 8th October during a dive bombing mission over Ceram Island, west of New Guinea, in P-47-23 43-27597.
~~Designed by Alexander Kartveli meeting a USAAC requirement for a heavy fighter, the P-47 was first flown on May 6th, 1941. Later models featured a "bubble-top" canopy rather than the sharply peaked "razorback" fuselage which resulted in poor visibility for the aircraft's pilot. The P-47, a deadly pursuit aircraft, featured 8 x 12.7mm machine guns; all mounted in the wings. Even with the complicated turbosupercharger system, the sturdy airframe and tough radial engine, the P-47 ("Jug" or "Juggernaut" as it was nicknamed) could absorb damage and still return home. Built in greater quantities than any other US fighter, the P-47 was the heaviest single-engine WWII fighter and the first piston-powered fighter to exceed 500 mph.
~~Corgi's 1:72 scale P-47 series includes both the "razorback" and "bubble-top" canopy styles, with separate castings for each fuselage. The models in this series are constructed almost entirely of diecast metal with only the smallest amount of plastic used. Details of the radial engine and air intake are visible inside the oval engine cowling. The turbo-supercharger exhaust vent and separately applied intercooler exit doors are nicely detailed at the rear of the fuselage. Each release in the series includes different weapons ordnance or external fuel tanks. The four staggered machine gun barrels that protrude from each of the wings' leading edges are constructed of rigid plastic, and there are shell casing vents below each wing.
Eén uitvoering;
- P-47D Thunderbolt - "Daring Dottie III" Maj.John T.More, 341st Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighting Group, 1944.
