Lifelike Decals

1/48 P-47D Thunderbolt Part 7 decal sheet

Product # 48-045

Product Article by Steve Bamford on Feb 11 2016

 

      

This latest release from Lifelike Decals features three different P-47D's.  This is Part 7 in  a series dealing with the P-47D from the summer of 1944 at Duxford to post VE Day in Germany. 

The 3 aircraft include 2 in partial D-Day stripes with the "Eileen" markings and and one bare metal Jug in the markings for "ALWAYS MARGE!" 

  • P-47D-11-RE, 42-75429 razorback "Eileen" flown by 1st Lt Frank Oiler with the 78FG, 84FS, Duxford in the summer of 1944.

  • P-47D-28-RA, 42-28878 bubble-top "Eileen" flown by 1st Lt Frank Oiler with the 78FG, 84FS, Duxford in Sept of 1944.

  • P-47D-30-RA, 44-33219 bubble-top "ALWAYS MARGE!" flown by an unknown pilot with the 371FG, 404FS, post VE Day in Kitzingen / Germany.

1st Lt Frank Oiler flew 73 missions and had 300 hours of combat flying time.  To see his two P-47's on this sheet is a special treat.  The reason he has 2 P-47's is his first Jug was badly damaged by AA and I suspect it was written off.  He later went on to fly Mustangs before the war ended.

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The quality of these decals is of very good quality.  The decals themselves are clearly printed and in perfect register on 3 decal sheets.  The "Eileen" artwork is beautifully done.

I love the choice of markings on this decal sheet.  You get a choice of Bubble-top and Razorback plus the inclusion of partial D-Day stripes and a bare metal bird.  You get 2 aircraft flown by 1st Lt Frank Oiler and both adorned with the "Eileen" noseart which was considered the most colorful artwork in the 78th Fighter Group.  

You can purchase these decals either directly from Lifelike Decals at fax number is +81-3-5680-6733, and e-mail is lifelike@eos.ocn.ne.jp. or from HobbyLink Japan.    

I would like to thank Lifelike Decals for providing me with this product sample.

Steve Bamford

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Photos and text © by Steve Bamford