Franklin Mint Armour Collection B11F046
Republic P-47D Thunderbolt Diecast Model
USAAF 1st ACG, "The Flying Abortion", Burma, 1944 |
| 1:48 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Republic P-47D Thunderbolt | | 9" | | 10.25" |
The 1st Air Commando Group was a U.S. Army Air Force group of fighters, bombers, transports, military gliders and small planes operating in the South-East Asian Theatre of World War II. They were part of the U.S. Tenth Air Force providing air support for the British Fourteenth Army in the Burma Campaign.
The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, also known as the "Jug," was the biggest, heaviest, and most expensive fighter aircraft in history to be powered by a single piston engine. It was one of the main United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) fighters of World War II, and also served with other Allied air forces. The P-47 was effective in air combat but proved especially adept at ground attack. It had eight .50-caliber machine guns, four per wing. When fully loaded the P-47 could weigh up to eight tons.
Designed by Alexander Kartveli meeting a USAAC requirement for a heavy fighter, the P-47 was first flown on May 6th, 1941. Later models featured a "bubble-top" canopy rather than the sharply peaked "razorback" fuselage which resulted in poor visibility for the aircraft's pilot. The P-47, a deadly pursuit aircraft, featured 8 x 12.7mm machine guns; all mounted in the wings. Even with the complicated turbosupercharger system, the sturdy airframe and tough radial engine, the P-47 (“Jug" or “Juggernaut" as it was nicknamed) could absorb damage and still return home. Built in greater quantities than any other US fighter, the P-47 was the heaviest single-engine WWII fighter and the first piston-powered fighter to exceed 500 mph. © Copyright 2003-2010 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Franklin Mint's 1:48 scale P-47s are both large and heavy, weighing in at almost two pounds. The series captures both the early and late war variants, with the notable changes to the pilot's canopy that led to changes to the aft top portion of the fuselage. Exceptional details of the Pratt & Whitney radial engine are easily seen inside the "horse collar" shaped engine cowling. The large canopy allows for the cockpit interior to be readily viewed. Fixed transparent landing light lenses separately installed underneath the port wing and detailed main gear door actuator arms add the finishing touch.
© Copyright 2003-2010 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Franklin Mint "Armour Collection" presents diecast detailed, ready-made diecast models of military and civilian aircraft. Armour Collection diecast airplanes from The Franklin Mint require no glueing or painting. Each model is an instant display piece or diorama centerpiece straight from the box. Made from diecast metal and plastic components, the die cast airplanes in the Franklin Mint's Armour Collection are 100% true to scale.
Franklin Mint "Armour Collection" diecast airplanes feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Detailed cockpit interiors.
- No pilot figures.
- Sturdy fixed metal landing gear for static display.
- Authentic fixed ordnance loads.
- Accurately detailed underside.
© Copyright 2003-2010 The Flying Mule, Inc.
