Post-war USAFE Thunderbolt coming up!

[Wild Bill Kelso]

Dear folks!

I've just read an interesting article on the P-/F-47s of 86th CG, based at Neubiberg AB (near Munich) in post-war years:
http://vdmedien.com/heinz-nickel-pr...ute-original-modell-buch_modellbau-10716.html

And although the A2A/Shockwave/WoP P-47 has experienced many repaints yet, I think the post-war period with its sometimes confusing designations on aircraft and units needs some more representation. Here comes the first one:

P-47D-30-RA 44-33585 of 86th FW/527th FS, winter 1947/1948

The 86th FW's Bolts sported this red cowling, the white fin and the "ND" code show her assigned to 527th FS.

I tried to set the red cheatline some pixels higher, but ended up with some odd distorsions in this area. John "Bomber 12th" Terrells' awesome paint kit made things easy once again, but to depict a rather war-weary battleaxe, I added some more dirt and stain (and some shadows below the cowl flaps as well). Hope you'll like this scruffy Jug.

As usual, any comments and suggestions are appreciated, next one will be a F-47D of 86th FBG/527th FBS (yellow markings) in her 1950's appearance (and the ND24 / 3585 lettering will of course be set some pixels larger before upload...).

Cheers,
Markus.

 

[Duckie]

Great job as usual Markus! :ernae:

 

[jkcook28]

I like 'em! Shockwave Jug is among my top 3 favorite FS9 aircraft. Thanks Markus!!!

 

[Wing_Z]

An Idle Question:

It actually looks great, but why is the rudder done in a lighter shade?

 

[Wild Bill Kelso]

Thanks for your replies, guys!

It actually looks great, but why is the rudder done in a lighter shade?

The white rudder was worn by the 527th FS Bolts in 1947/1948!

In 1949/1950, the 527th FBS changed its F-47 markings to orange yellow (spinner, cowling, cheatline and rudder) and the former squadron code (ND) was replaced by the Buzz Code FE-... (where "E" stood for the F-47).

In October 1950, the F-47Ds of 86th FBG were replaced by F-84E Thunderjets (Buzz Code "FS-...").

 

[Wild Bill Kelso]

Just some more references...

NeubibergAB winter 1947. Anybody else but me wants a time machine to watch and hear this flightline?

Spring 1950: The F-47Ds of 527th FBS now are sporting the orange yellow markings (526th red noses in the back).

Winter 1949/1950: F-47D-35-RA 44-89783 of 526th FBS (red markings). Note the Buzz Code and the shifted insignia bar at the turbocharger hatch! Further detail: "USAF" lettering on the upper starboard wing of the Jug the photographer obviously sat in.

RAF Station Celle during "Operation Vittles / Berlin Airlift". The 86th FG/CG escorted cargo flights from the western zones of Germany to West-Berlin. It was the only tactical unit of USAFE at this time.

Summer 1950. "Daddy's girls"?

 

[Wild Bill Kelso]

The second Bolt of the upcoming repaints will be this one:

F-47D 44-21081 of 527th FBS, spring 1950.
Antiglare coating is black instead of olive drab, Buzz Code replaced the squadron letters.

Now for packing...

 

[Bone]

Those real world color shots were great. I like black and white photo's, but it's really a shame WW II combat aviation was captured with mostly B&W film.

 

[Wild Bill Kelso]

Yep, I was glad to find these outstanding references and I thought I should share them.
I won't trust those old colour shots as long as certain colour shades are concerned, but thanks to simmerspaintshop, the correct RGB values for USAF Insignia Red and Orange Yellow are easy to grab.

Our librarian was fast once again - here they are:
http://www.sim-outhouse.com/sohforums/local_links.php?catid=7&linkid=2746

Gentlemen, start your engines!

Cheers,
Markus.