Forces of Valor 85065
Republic P-47D Thunderbolt Diecast Model
USAAF 56th FG, 61st FS, Gabby Gabreski |
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| Republic P-47D Thunderbolt | | 6" | | 6.75" |
Lt. Col Gabreski. "Gabby" was the first to reach 31 victories before being shot down in July 1944. By the time of his retirement from active Air Force service in 1967, Francis S. "Gabby" Gabreski had flown more combat missions than any other American pilot. This highly decorated Polish-American pilot flew in both WWII and the Korean War, in planes as diverse as the Spitfire Mark IX, the P-47D Thunderbolt, and the F-86 Sabre. This model fighter aircraft is resplendent in the markings of the USAAF's famous 61st Fighter Squadron of the 56th Fighter Group, with such delicate touches as a red-striped spinner. This incredibly detailed scale model shows fifteen German "victory marks" on the fuselage. In fact, "Gabby" was to reach thirty-one victories (28 aerial, and 3 on the ground) before he was shot down on 20 July1944, and forced to spend the rest of the war in a German POW camp. At the time this made him the highest scoring ace of the war, though several others were to surpass his tally by the end of WWII. Later, he also added another 6.5 victories during the Korean War.
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 2003-2026 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Forces of Valor's 1:72 scale P-47 is constructed almost entirely from diecast metal, with exceptionally crisp panel lines details across the surface of the model. The two-piece engine cowling is removable, providing a completely unobstructed view of a masterfully replicated 18 cylinder Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp engine. The hand-painted pilot figure is clearly visible through the crystal clear bird-cage style canopy. The landing gear and gear doors are combined into easy to-install subassemblies for quick ground configuration, with structural details inside the wheel wells. Additional details include a removable center mounted fuel tank and wing mounted bombs.
© Copyright 2003-2019 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Unimax "Forces of Valor" range presents affordable, ready-made diecast models of military aicraft.
Unimax "Forces of Valor" 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.
- Interchangeable extended/retracted landing gear.
- Fixed display stand to display the aircraft "in flight".
- Detailed pilots and crew members.
- Authentic detachable ordnance loads complete with placards.
© Copyright 2003-2026 The Flying Mule, Inc.
