SPA Modeler

Looks quite nice!

Very well done!

Getting close on this one. If I was a real modeler I would spend a few more hours on the props, the resin parts were pretty rough by modern standards.

That it cool!

Looking good! The side shot showing the profile reminds me of the Raiden with the elongated cowling.

The side shot looks "different" without the vent doors

Thanks, all. Yes, it does look different without those doors that always complicate the insignia decals on the P-47's. But you do get those oil cooler/intercooler exit doors down below!

I painted the stainless areas around the cowl flap gills and installed some brass rod for the guns. The XP-72 was going to have only six 50's instead of the usual 8 and the inner one was located further back in the wing. Also, if it had gone into production it would probably had the same wing as the P-47N. The last photo shows it with the ProModeler P-47N. What a couple of brutes!

Interesting project. Well done, John!

First I'd heard of the fiberglass trick too. Clever idea. Where does one procure small quantities of the proper thickness? And I understand that you just used CA to reinforce it, right?

What a difference between the two Thunderbolts. One is the Jug and the other looks like a race car aircraft - sleek and aerodynamic shaped. I wonder why they chose the 6 bladed propeller as opposed to the typical 4 blade prop of the P-47.

Tom, it's all about absorbing horsepower. There's an obvious limit to how large the diameter of a prop can be, and when designers reach that they have to add more area to the existing blades or add more blades. Conta-rotating blades are a way of doing that, and they also aid stability by eliminating torque and p-factor, at the cost of weight and complexity.

Greg, I use fiberglass cloth of various weights to make parts for R/C airplanes. Tap Plastics have it, and it used to be pretty available at R/C hobby shops. .6 ounce is pretty light for boat work but they might also carry it. Another product that might also work well and is newer is carbon veil, a very thin nondirectional weave of carbon fiber. It also adhers very well with CA.