P-47N Thunderbolt

P-47N Thunderbolt – Revell

P-47N Thunderbolt – Revell 80-4867

At nearly 10,000 lbs (4,536 kg) empty the P-47 Thunderbolt never should have gotten off the ground. But the Thunderbolt didn’t just fly, it was also able to defeat German and Japanese fighters. The model was even credited with downing several early jet-powered aircraft.

This heavily-armored, eight .50 caliber MG-armed beast was upgraded so that the P-47N could escort B-29 bombers on 2,000 mile (3,220 km) raids. This kit features detailed surfaces, cockpit, undercarriage and 18-cylinder engine plus missiles, bombs and decals for two USAAF planes.

Related articles

• P-47D Thunderbolt Razorback (modelkithangar.com)
• Tuskegee Airmen Honored Guests at Inaugural (blackamericaweb.com)
• Pilots found P-47′s cockpit shockingly roomy (heraldnet.com)
• Don Allen, ‘nose art’ artist of World War II, featured in documentary (warhistoryonline.com)

Republic P-47 Thunderbolt in the Cradle of Aviation Museum. The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was the biggest, heaviest, and most expensive fighter aircraft in history to be powered by a single reciprocating engine. The P-47 was effective in air combat but proved especially adept at ground attack. The P-47N was the last Thunderbolt variant to be produced. It was designed as an escort fighter for the B-29 Superfortress bombers flying raids on the Japanese home islands. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)