Lifelike Decals

1/72 Republic P-47D Thunderbolt Part 1 decal sheet

Decal sheet product # 72-008 

Review by Steve Bamford on Sept 26 2007

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This latest release from Lifelike Decals features three different P-47D's.  This is Part 1 of  a series dealing with the P-47D in American markings from March 1944 to early 1945. 

The first plane is a P-47D-25-RE, 42-26637, flown by Major General William Kepner, Commander of VIII FC, probably in August 1944 from Hethell.  The paint scheme for this aircraft is overall bare metal with a light green anti-glare panel infront and behind the canopy and the same colour green around the front of the engine cowling.  The artwork is a blue bird of prey holding red lightning bolts with the yellow script "Kokomo" below the artwork on the side of the engine cowling.  There is black code letters on the side of the fuselage are VM P.  This plane has D-Day stripes on the bottom side of the fiuselage.  There is also black stripes on both sides of the tail and the top and bottom of the tails horizontal flying surfaces.  The wheel hubs have US national insignias on them.  Major General William Kepner also flew in WW1 and of his 24 sorties in WW, 16 were in this aircraft.  He also contributed to the extension of the cruising distance of the P-47 to excort bombers.

 

The second plane is a P-47D-10-RE, 42-75207, flown by Lt Fred Christensen with the 62FS, 58FG in March 1944 from Halesworth.  The paint scheme for this aircraft is overall Olive Drab with Neutral Gray on the underside and white around the front of the engine cowling.  The artwork is a sexy nude brunette with the red script "Boche Buster" below the artwork on the side of the engine cowling.  On the side of the fuselage below the cockpit is the yellow Script "Rozzie Geth". There is white code letters on the side of the fuselage are LM C.  There is white stripes on both sides of the tail and the top and bottom of the tails horizontal flying surfaces.  This aircraft has 12 kill markings. 

The third plane is a P-47D-27-RE, 42-27260, flown by the 354FS, 350FG, in early 1945 from Pisa, Italy.  The paint scheme for this aircraft is overall bare metal with a Olive Drab anti-glare panel in front and behind the canopy  The artwork is white script with a red background with the words "FLAK HAPPY" on the side of the engine cowling.  The cowl flaps on this aircraft are alternatively painted dark blue and yellow.  There is black code letters on the side of the fuselage are 5D3.  The unit markings on the tail is a yellow lightning bolt ona yellow band.  This aircraft has a 100 bombing mission markings.

The quality of these decals is of very good quality.  The decals themselves are clearly printed and in perfect register.  Some decals come in 2 layers to ensure perfect registration.  

You can purchase these decals either directly from Lifelike Decals at fax number is +81-3-5680-6733, and e-mail is lifelike@eos.ocn.ne.jp. or from HobbyLink Japan.    

Other shops that stock Life like Decals are *Hannants/UK, *Mister Kit/Italy, *Revi (publisher)/Czech Republic, *SkyGrid/Canada, *Roll Models/USA, *Great Models Webstore/USA, *FlightDecs/Canada, *Victory Models/USA
*M & Models/USA, *
Zed Hobbies/Australia, *AB &S Enterprise/Australia, *Desert Miniature/USA 

Yet another very fine P-47 decal sheet with 3 very good options for your next Thunderbolt.  

I would like to thank Lifelike Decals for providing me with this review sample.

Steve

I would like to thank Lifelike Decals for providing me with this review sample.

Click on images below to see larger images

  

  

Photos and text © by Steve Bamford