Author Topic: 1/72 Revell P-47 Big Wing Weather Recon (Read 11822 times)

The Big Gimper · « **on:** October 17, 2012, 09:47:31 PM »

A long time ago, in a Forum far far away, I had the small spark of an idea to build a big wing P-47 to be used for weather recon.

But alas I was not able to find the right wing to meet the high standards of the BTS WHIF police.

I was struggling to extent the wing span by at least 4-6 scale feet per wing. I tried many different wings but nothing impressed me.

Inspiration hit me last night. While surfing on Republic products, I stumbled upon two builds of the XF-84. One of the builders took the quick build Hobby Boss F-84G (which I have), removed the tip tanks and shorten the fuselage. A quick checked showed that a F-84 wing does with a bit of trimming line up the stock P-47 chord.

So, out with the saw, chop chop and here we have a Revell P-47M with an extra 12 foot wing span. I cut the P-47 wing just outside the flaps so I could keep the landing gear and guns.

I need to add some piano wire / styrene strips to build a mini-spar to ensure I keep the dihedral constant. I was also able to attach the existing wing tip. :)

Here is the new left wing with the right yet to changed. :

Carl

kitnut617 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 17, 2012, 09:55:56 PM »

I've always wondered what if you replaced the P-47N wingtips with standard P-47D wingtips, how much extra wing span would you actually get ?

Jeffry Fontaine · « **Reply #2 on:** October 17, 2012, 11:14:15 PM »

Looks like you are on the right track with the wing extensions :)

Frank3k · « **Reply #3 on:** October 17, 2012, 11:56:52 PM »

I like where this is going! The P-47 had a pretty impressive supercharger, so you probably won't need to modify the intakes in the tail much. Are you also going to increase the tail surfaces?

The Big Gimper · « **Reply #4 on:** October 18, 2012, 12:16:09 AM »

Quote from: Frank3k on October 17, 2012, 11:56:52 PM

I like where this is going! The P-47 had a pretty impressive supercharger, so you probably won't need to modify the intakes in the tail much. Are you also going to increase the tail surfaces?

I had not considered doing that.

I have not done any wind tunnel testing yet unless you will accept me running around in the basement going varoom sufficient data collection.

Frank3k · « **Reply #5 on:** October 18, 2012, 01:50:46 AM »

Quote from: The Big Gimper on October 18, 2012, 12:16:09 AM

I have not done any wind tunnel testing yet unless you will accept me running around in the basement going varoom sufficient data collection.

Good enough for government work!

You could always add a T-tail. That would certainly please some/most people around here...

raafif · « **Reply #6 on:** October 18, 2012, 08:35:00 AM »

OOOH! nice (I must be in a good mood today!) T-tail sound good too :)

Brian da Basher · « **Reply #7 on:** October 18, 2012, 08:43:12 AM »

Wow that's an outstanding concept and backed up with some incredible kit surgery to boot!

I bet that clipped wing F-84 will be pretty hot, too.

Brian da Basher

The Big Gimper · « **Reply #8 on:** November 03, 2012, 04:11:06 AM »

Update: Here are both wings primed and attached and a comparison to my Academy P-47D:

To make it a completely boring finish, it will be silver with markings from the new P-47 SEAC T-bolt decal sheet from Xtradecal.

Carl

Daryl J. · « **Reply #9 on:** November 03, 2012, 07:22:46 AM »

Nice!

Brian da Basher · « **Reply #10 on:** November 03, 2012, 07:45:16 AM »

Wow those new wings look so right on that P-47!

What a fantastic concept! I'm green with envy.

Brian da Basher

GTX_Admin · « **Reply #11 on:** November 03, 2012, 02:56:45 PM »

Definitely looking good.

Dr. YoKai · « **Reply #12 on:** November 04, 2012, 09:28:24 AM »

A perfect extension of the planform! And to just stir the pot a bit, perhaps a V-tail!

finsrin · « **Reply #13 on:** November 04, 2012, 01:15:12 PM »

Such a find on using F-84 wing to make a model of high altitude P-47.
Looks and seems plausible.
Figuring Luftwafa is flying high altitude recon thatz been unreachable.
Could also remove 2 or 4 guns to keep weight down and altitude up.
Am impressed with your fitment of F-84 wings into structure of P-47 wings :)

The Big Gimper · « **Reply #14 on:** November 04, 2012, 09:40:09 PM »

Given all the great ideas, I think I will build two more. I have extra P-47Ms in stash.

@Frank3k: For the tail, it looks like a Meteor tail will fit. And wouldn't you know it, the Xtrakit Meteor NF. 11 comes with an extra tail. Just need source some horiz stabilizers.

@Dr. Yokai. Y tail. yes.. Maybe from a Magister?

@Finsrin: Certainly no guns for the next two kits.

The Big Gimper · « **Reply #15 on:** September 15, 2013, 03:51:13 AM »

Is there a statute of limitations on build updates? My last post was on November 4th.

Anyways from the shelf of doom, we have an update.

@finsrin: I took your advice and removed two guns per wing.

I'm about 3/4s done. Still need to glue on a few more bits and another 1,000 itty bitty decals.

Brian da Basher · « **Reply #16 on:** September 15, 2013, 05:15:25 AM »

No statute of limitations on updating a mighty fine whiff!

I like the four guns and the checker-board on the tail feathers.

Nice work!

Brian da Basher

Jeffry Fontaine · « **Reply #17 on:** September 15, 2013, 05:30:17 AM »

Nice work Carl! Looks natural with the wing extensions.

FAAMAN · « **Reply #18 on:** September 16, 2013, 01:25:33 PM »

Now that is nice!! Well done so far.

kitnut617 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 16, 2013, 09:11:35 PM »

I really like that Carl ! :) :)

taiidantomcat · « **Reply #20 on:** September 16, 2013, 11:26:08 PM »

Nice job on those wings! That was seamless. I would have never guessed there was major surgery there! I love the natural metal finish too. Great Whif All around

Dr. YoKai · « **Reply #21 on:** September 17, 2013, 01:23:34 AM »

That was worth the wait!

Camthalion · « **Reply #22 on:** September 17, 2013, 06:56:40 AM »

very nice work

ed s · « **Reply #23 on:** September 17, 2013, 08:06:20 AM »

Nicely done. It's difficult to blend in a wing extension like that and make it invisible. And you made it work with a metal finish. That's impressive.

Ed

Empty Handed · « **Reply #24 on:** September 17, 2013, 07:16:45 PM »

Love it!!


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Author Topic: 1/72 Revell P-47 Big Wing Weather Recon (Read 11822 times)