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Please see the most recent updates in the "Where did the .com name go?" thread. Posts number 16 and 17.
Next from AH: Republic P-47D Thunderbolt
- Thread starter YoYo
- Start date
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Butcherbird17
Charter Member 2012
Finally a Bubble-top P-47.
Looking forward to this one.
Joe
Looking forward to this one.Joe
Bomber_12th
SOH-CM-2025
I wonder what particular bubble-top variant(s) they'll include - quite a number of cockpit changes/differences between the D-25/D-28/D-30, etc., rocket stubs/no rocket stubs (with cockpit rocket firing panel/no rocket firing panel), etc. It would be nice if the canopy/framing/windscreen and wing leading edges (airfoil) were more accurate to the real thing.
Stock from the factory, bubble-top P-47's didn't have external rear-view mirrors (there was a rear-view mirror internally) - but in Europe, some would of course gain an external Spitfire mirror, if the pilot deemed it necessary. The Spitfire mirror dimension should be checked that it is 10.6cm/4.2-inches wide.
Stock from the factory, bubble-top P-47's didn't have external rear-view mirrors (there was a rear-view mirror internally) - but in Europe, some would of course gain an external Spitfire mirror, if the pilot deemed it necessary. The Spitfire mirror dimension should be checked that it is 10.6cm/4.2-inches wide.
Last edited:
Bomber_12th
SOH-CM-2025
Canopy bubble/framing (original Republic drawing):
Windscreen assembly (original Republic drawing):
Windscreen assembly (original Republic drawing):
Bomber_12th
SOH-CM-2025
Plexi bubble shaping (original Republic drawing)
Bomber_12th
SOH-CM-2025
Bomber_12th
SOH-CM-2025
The most authentic P-47 restoration to-date, the P-47D-28 "Dottie Mae", detailed photos galore here (both prior-to and after restoration):
https://www.facebook.com/pg/Allied-Fighters-254129241462297/photos/?ref=page_internal
The metal on "Dottie Mae" is not polished, but is fresh Alclad, just as it would have appeared when new from the factory. The darker, less shiny sections of metal are of course stainless steal - stainless steal makes up most of the belly of the aircraft, due to the high temperature of the intercooler/turbo, ducting, and exhaust. Other details that can be spotted on the "Dottie Mae" restoration is the authentic use of various colored rivets - silver, yellow, blue and red - mostly used in a unorganized manner, as per original, as the various rivets, namely the silver/yellow/blue rivets, were mixed together in trays on the factory floors, and whatever color rivet was used was whatever rivet the riveter pulled out of his pocket at that particular moment. Areas where panels have been spot-welded you can see bright lines, a result of acid being brushed onto the aluminum to purify the surface of the metal prior to spot-welding - as per original. All of the stencils and numerous other details are not only accurate to the Republic drawings, but are as they were found prior to restoration.
In the same league as "Dottie Mae", is the P-47D-30 "Tallahassee Lassie". While "Dottie Mae" has been restored precisely accurate to the D-28 it is, "Tallahassee Lassie" was restored precisely accurate to the D-30 it is. Most notably is how different the cockpit is between the two. Being the later variant, "Tallahassee Lassie" has the rocket stubs and rocket-firing panel in the cockpit, where as the earlier variant, "Dottie Mae", does not (not to mention the difference in gunsights, instrument arrangements, switch panels, etc.). Here is a large collection of detailed photos of the incredibly authentic/accurate P-47D-30 "Tallahassee Lassie":
https://www.facebook.com/Randy.Malmstrom/media_set?set=a.1248468561847465.1073742547.100000529987087&type=3
http://westpacrestorations.com/index.php?page=p-47-thunderbolt
https://www.facebook.com/pg/Allied-Fighters-254129241462297/photos/?ref=page_internal
The metal on "Dottie Mae" is not polished, but is fresh Alclad, just as it would have appeared when new from the factory. The darker, less shiny sections of metal are of course stainless steal - stainless steal makes up most of the belly of the aircraft, due to the high temperature of the intercooler/turbo, ducting, and exhaust. Other details that can be spotted on the "Dottie Mae" restoration is the authentic use of various colored rivets - silver, yellow, blue and red - mostly used in a unorganized manner, as per original, as the various rivets, namely the silver/yellow/blue rivets, were mixed together in trays on the factory floors, and whatever color rivet was used was whatever rivet the riveter pulled out of his pocket at that particular moment. Areas where panels have been spot-welded you can see bright lines, a result of acid being brushed onto the aluminum to purify the surface of the metal prior to spot-welding - as per original. All of the stencils and numerous other details are not only accurate to the Republic drawings, but are as they were found prior to restoration.
In the same league as "Dottie Mae", is the P-47D-30 "Tallahassee Lassie". While "Dottie Mae" has been restored precisely accurate to the D-28 it is, "Tallahassee Lassie" was restored precisely accurate to the D-30 it is. Most notably is how different the cockpit is between the two. Being the later variant, "Tallahassee Lassie" has the rocket stubs and rocket-firing panel in the cockpit, where as the earlier variant, "Dottie Mae", does not (not to mention the difference in gunsights, instrument arrangements, switch panels, etc.). Here is a large collection of detailed photos of the incredibly authentic/accurate P-47D-30 "Tallahassee Lassie":
https://www.facebook.com/Randy.Malmstrom/media_set?set=a.1248468561847465.1073742547.100000529987087&type=3
http://westpacrestorations.com/index.php?page=p-47-thunderbolt
MustangL2W
Charter Member
Man..... that is just GORGEOUS!!!!! What an Airplane.
Mach3DS
Charter Member
The only thing that I'm disappointed about is the lack of integrated Tacpack...in previous models...its really not that hard to implement and makes it infinity easier when done by the developer to be able to actually integrate TP weapons and visibility, weights etc. Any chance this might be done? Man, this looks oh so nice! C46 AND THIS = instant buys. Glad you chose the bubble.guys. seriously good.judgement. others had their chance..again I hope you make the $$$ you deserve!
I'm really looking forward to this one. John, those are excellent images of the screen and canopy assemblies. I love insights like that.
Cheers,
Mark
Cheers,
Mark
DaveQ
Charter Member
Like others I shall eagerly await a high-quality bubble-top P-47. I never really understood why A2A didn't uprate their bubble-top, having done so with the razor-back. I've spent many hours with MCX and lots of help from others converting it though the cockpit remains animated but unclickable. At least I can use spec, alpha and bump maps to create nice looking paints, so all the time researching new paints can be put to good use.....!
DaveQ
DaveQ
Mach3DS
Charter Member
Yes Dave eagerly awaiting this one as well. If AH continues to select the Caliber of aircraft they have been thus far they've guaranteed my business. Not sure why others haven't picked this one or any others up, but goodness, their mistake is AH's opportunity! Go get 'em!
John Terrell! Those images are outstanding! Yes the FHC's (now FHCAM) P-47 Is an impeccably restored version. I'm lucky enough to see this coming Saturday 5/20 for the annual Paine field aviation day where admission is free and both the FHCAM and the HFF are accessible with aircraft flying during the day and tons of static displays as well as armor firing displays, boom! If you are in yhe neighborhood this Saturday, I wouldn't mind meeting up with some fellow simmers on the flight line behind the FHC main hangar.
John Terrell! Those images are outstanding! Yes the FHC's (now FHCAM) P-47 Is an impeccably restored version. I'm lucky enough to see this coming Saturday 5/20 for the annual Paine field aviation day where admission is free and both the FHCAM and the HFF are accessible with aircraft flying during the day and tons of static displays as well as armor firing displays, boom! If you are in yhe neighborhood this Saturday, I wouldn't mind meeting up with some fellow simmers on the flight line behind the FHC main hangar.
Thank you AH! Have been looking forward to a "D" Bubble top for FSX for a long time.
Hopefully to be followed by an "N" - my all time favorite.
Many a hour spent cruising the Pacific in this beast.
And John - as always - many interesting and informative details.
Hopefully to be followed by an "N" - my all time favorite.
Many a hour spent cruising the Pacific in this beast.
And John - as always - many interesting and informative details.
