Beyond The Sprues

Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: Wulf on June 05, 2012, 08:12:15 PM

Title: P47 Thunderbolt South African Air Force, Korea, 1951
Post by: Wulf on June 05, 2012, 08:12:15 PM

been a while since i did a whiff

P47 of the South African Air Force @1951, Korean War,

In late 1950 South Africa supplied a Squadron of pilots/support for the UN effort in Korea. They trained originally in Japan using US supplied P51 Mustangs. Early 1951 SAAF made available additional personnel for a second Squadron. Rather than being issued with Mustangs, they got P47 Thunderbolts to be used as ground support.

Shown is Captain Pieter Van Der Hovens aircraft flying from Pyong Yang

(http://i45.tinypic.com/2v8mw4i.jpg)
(http://i45.tinypic.com/2hwlogl.jpg)
(http://i47.tinypic.com/o7j3q0.jpg)
(http://i46.tinypic.com/2pzmgls.jpg)
(http://i48.tinypic.com/2z5u592.jpg)
(http://i50.tinypic.com/5u4rw7.jpg)



this was one of those builds that just evolved as it went on. been wanting to do an 'in flight' model for ages since ive had this idea for doing a stand. also been wanting to do something in silver/natural finish. Was originally going to be Swiss Air Force, had this idea back story about an interned plane being pressed into service but when i got to the decal stage i found out the ones i was going to use were out of register and broke up so it was back to the drawing board. The decal stash offered up some post war SAAF and after some research about their involvement in Korea i came up with this

kit is Revell P47, worst thing was the crappy fitting canopy

Title: Re: P47 Thunderbolt South African Air Force, Korea, 1951
Post by: taiidantomcat on June 05, 2012, 08:25:02 PM

Great job! Dont see enough "flying models"!

Title: Re: P47 Thunderbolt South African Air Force, Korea, 1951
Post by: GTX_Admin on June 06, 2012, 03:09:43 AM

Very nice.  Arguably better suited for Korea then the Mustang too.

Title: Re: P47 Thunderbolt South African Air Force, Korea, 1951
Post by: apophenia on June 06, 2012, 03:48:41 AM

Quote from: GTX_Admin on June 06, 2012, 03:09:43 AM

Very nice.  Arguably better suited for Korea then the Mustang too.

Agreed. I'd say it was serendipity that those Swiss decals broke up. The whif pixies were nudging you towards this SAAF Jug  ;)

Title: Re: P47 Thunderbolt South African Air Force, Korea, 1951
Post by: Brian da Basher on June 06, 2012, 03:56:03 AM

Wow that's sharp and those springboks look like they belong there!

If memory serves, there actually was a discussion about replacing the Mustang with the Thunderbolt for ground support in Korea.

Nice one, Beowulf!

Brian da Basher

Title: Re: P47 Thunderbolt South African Air Force, Korea, 1951
Post by: ChrisF on June 07, 2012, 04:25:41 AM

Really really looks the part !   :D

Title: Re: P47 Thunderbolt South African Air Force, Korea, 1951
Post by: Wulf on June 08, 2012, 02:00:41 PM

thanks guys

one of the aims of building this was to see if my home made stand worked. its something that gets thrown away/recyled at work.......i just recycled some in my direction  ;D.