Hobby Boss 1/72 Scale Republic P-47D Thunderbolt 'Bubble Top'

Having the distinction of being the heaviest single-engine fighter to see service in World War Two. The legendary Republic P-47 Thunderbolt earned its much deserved famed during the conflict. In the role of a ground attack aircraft. Flying multiple ground attack sorties in both the European and Pacific Theatres. In the service of various allied operators like the USAAF, Brazilian Air Force, Free French Air Force, Soviet Air Force and Royal Air Force. By the end of WWII more than 15,600 Thunderbolts had been built. Produced in multiple variants like the early Razorback and Bubble Top canopy.

With the end of the war and the creation of the United States Air Force in 1947. The P-47 continued in USAF service with the Air National Guard until 1953. With many surplus P-47s being sold off to various South American Air Forces. With the Peruvian Air Force being one of the last nations to retire the type in 1966. Today various airframes exist in either as static display aircraft or as airworthy aircraft.

One such airworthy aircraft is the P-47D called Dottie Mae. On May 8th of 1945 Dottie Mae took part in an aerial demonstration to celebrate the end of World War Two in Europe. The flight of the P-47 Thunderbolts flew over the Ebensee concentration camp, in Austria. To raise the morale of the prisoners who were still there. While flying over Lake Traunsee, Lieutenant Mohr descended too low over the lake. Causing Dottie Mae to crash in to the lake. Mohr survived the crash, while Dottie Mae sank into the lake. Making Dottie Mae the last USAAF aircraft lost “in action” in the European Theatre of Operations (ETO) during World War II.

Then on June 13, 2005 the wreck of Dottie Mae was raised form the lake. With the 60-year-old wreck still being in a well-preserved state. The air frame was then returned to the USA to be restored. After a lengthy restoration, Dottie Mae was returned to an air worthy condition. Taking to the skies again on June 23, 2017. Were it has appeared at various Air Shows in the USA.

This model by Hobby Boss is a simple and easy to make. With two colorful USAAF paint schemes included in the box. I painted my model into the colors into the of Dottie Mae. Using a mixture of the kit’s decals and DIY custom decals. In order to replicate the famed Dottie Mae.

So, I hope you have enjoyed this video. Thank you for watching and good luck with all your ongoing projects.

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