P-47D-27, 367th FG, Frigid Midget
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Mark SherwoodI'm running out of cricketing superlatives John, alright (through gritted teeth 😬😅) that's a Home Run . 👍🥸🤘
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This is my latest project, “Frigid Midget,” which was built as part of a Group Build on Flory Models. The story goes that the pilot buzzed the officers' club at St. Dizier and ended up crashing into some trees. As a result, Frigid Midget was fitted with replacement wings finished in Bare Natural Metal (BNF). Along the way, it received a D-30 dorsal fin and a new canopy.
Base Kit: Tamiya 1/48, Republic P-47D Thunderbolt "Bubbletop" No 61090
Additional Parts: Sprue L from Tamiya 1/48, Republic P-47M Thunderbolt No 61096
After Market: Eduard 1/48 No. EX882 P-47D Bubbletop (TFace) for Tamiya, Eduard 1/48 No. 3DL48078 P-47D Bubbletop SPACE, Master 1/48 AM-48-155 P-47 Thunderbolt detail set, Omask 1/48 14006 | 1:48 P-47 Bubbletop Cap Masks for Tamiya
Decals: Eagle Strike Productions 1/48 48031 American Jabos Part II P-47D Thunderbolt Fighter Bombers
Paints: AK Real Colors RC264 Bronze Green, RC259 Olive Drab 41, Hataka Orange Line C066 Insignia Yellow, C067 Insignia Red, C001 Dark Sea Blue, Tamiya LP-1 Gloss Black LP-4 Flat White, AK 478 White Aluminum AK 479 Aluminum
Build Link: florymodels.org/foru..45-13580961?trail=45
The base kit was Tamiya's P-47D-25, the dorsal finlet required cross kitting with the very rare Tamiya P-47M's Sprue L. Sprue L provides parts to the dorsal fin of the D-30 & D-40 and latter versions of the M-1. I will still be able to build an early version of the P-47M-1 with the donor kit without a dorsal fin. It is another one of the Tamiya head scratchers that they only released Sprue L one time way back in 2005. I was very surprised and happy to be able to purchase Sprue L (with the parts to make a D-30 and M) directly from Tamiya USA for less that $5 each plus postage.
Tamiya’s 1/48 P-47 kits are a joy to assemble. The cockpit can be enhanced beautifully with either an Eduard or Quinta Studio 3D printed cockpit set. I’ve used both and recommend either, although I found the Quinta set a bit easier for detailing the larger cockpit box. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference on seat belts—steel vs. soft.
In terms of appearance, Frigid Midget has a bit of a Frankenstein look. It appears to have been delivered as a D-27 in BNF, with Olive Drab sprayed over the upper surfaces at the depot or by the 367th Fighter Group. The typical ETO P-47 marking lines were omitted on the wings and tail surfaces; by 1945, the air-to-air threat from 9th Air Force units had significantly diminished. The 367th Fighter Group added a yellow cowling and tri-color tail markings, while the D-30 finlet and new canopy were later retrofits..
For the paintwork, I started with a layer of Tamiya Gloss Black for the BNF areas, then applied AK’s White Aluminum. I used Omask’s masking set for the Tamiya P-47 to mask the smaller panels, followed by spraying AK 479 Aluminum. I’m pleased with the outcome, but for future projects, I think I might switch to Tamiya LP-70 Gloss Aluminum as it should be a bit more durable for masking. The BNF areas were masked while painting, detailing, and weathering the Olive Drab surfaces. After unmasking, the BNF was weathered following Phil's B-17 video guide, and I left it without a varnish coat to retain its sheen.
TThe decades-old Eagle Strike decals were the driving force behind this build, and I’m happy to report they performed wonderfully. Overall, it was such an enjoyable project that has been on my bucket list for quite some time!
