Hasegawa 1/32 P-47 Russian Jug 255 IAP Northern Fleet "White 39"
By Rick Kranias
P-47D "White 39"
255 IAP, Northern Fleet
Vaenga 1 Airfield, Winter 1945
VVS (Russian Air Force - Voyenno-Vozdushnye Sily) P-47Ds which included 100 bubble-tops saw limited use in the last few months of the war. Like the Mustangs, Hurricanes and Spitfires the P-47 was not particularly liked by Russian pilots. The low altitude smaller and quicker turning P-39 and P-40 were preferred.
P-47Ds were handed to the air regiment who trained the crews and deployed the planes to the units. Ground crews (English speaking) checked the machines, removed radio and electronics not compatible with Russian military or air regiment. The ground crews painted the soviet national insignia, usually over the USAAF national insignia and serial number. Field installations often took place for M10 Bazookas and Type B-7 underwing pylon and belly racks.
Most Russian P-47s were deployed to northern Naval Units and operated over Norway and Finland in anti-shipping roles and fast recon. Other P-47s were used to protect oil fields in Polesti.
- KIT - 1/32 Hasegawa P-47D ST27
- AIRBRUSH - Iwata Eclipse HP-CS & H&S Evolution
- PAINT – Primer: Mr Surfacer 1200; Upper: Vallejo Olive Drab; Lower: Vallejo Medium Sea Grey; Interior: Vallejo Gunship Green and Tamiya Yellow Green; Prop Hub and Wheel Covers: Vallejo Off White; Masks: Intercooler, US Insignia and Serial Number block then freehand edges
- WEATHERING – Flory Wash, MIG Wash, MIG Pigments, Thinned Black/Brown
- VARNISH - Alclad II: Klear Kote for decal prep then final with Semi-Matte
- AFTER MARKET – Barracuda: Wheels; Eduard: Photo etch Interior and Exterior; Hasegawa: Brass blast tubes; Scale Precision Masks: USAAF national insignia; Decals: Kit for stencils, AMLC “Americans In Stalin’s Sky” for national insignia and tail number; Belts: HGW Textile
The Hasegawa 1/32 P-47 had few build issues with exception of surgery to drop the engine/cowling.
© Rick Kranias 2013
This article was published on Thursday, August 29 2013; Last modified on Wednesday, March 09 2016