[Hasegawa 1/48] F-47D-30 (?) Fuerza Aerea Colombiana

[Antoine]

Hi guys,

It's been quite a lot of time since my last post here, modelling being an on and off affair for at least fifteen years.

But well, it seems that the first half of 2022 will be marked as "On", and hopefully, the second half as well.

 

First finished from a twin Jugs build started a few weeks ago, here's my interpretation of a Colombian F-47D-30(?) based on Hasegawa's bubbletop kit in 1/48, with Aztec decal sheet. No aftermarket used, appart a PE harness from an Eduard set for USAAF WW2, and the gun barrels made out of metal tube by myself.

 

Did re-learned a lot of things, did a lot of errors, but I enjoyed myself all along this built, and even if its far from being perfect (yeah, far from it!), I think it's eligible for a post in the Critique Corner.

 

 

 

SitRep

 

F-47D-30 Fuerza Aerea Colombiana
Madrid AB
1950's

 

The end of the Second World War and the beginning of the Cold War saw the establishment by the United States of America of a succession of plans intended to provide modern military equipment under conditions for most of the allied nations,  among them certain republics of South America. The Lend Lease program, which lasted somewhat after 1945, was succeeded by the American Republic Project (ARP) from 1946, then the best known Mutual Defense Assistance Program (MDAP) and its many variations or sub-programs. In terms of combat aircraft, the USAAF / USAF kept the P-51 Mustang, so the P-47D Thunderbolt was selected, and several dozen airframes belonging to blocks 30 to 40 were thus be used in several Latin American Air Force. The Fuerza Aerea Colombiana took possession of eight P-47Ds in July 1947, while the country had been more or less immersed in a state of civil war since 1946 (If this ended in 1947, it was in fact only the first period of unrest in a long series which continues until today, making today the FAC one of the most experienced air forces in terms of anti-guerrilla warfare). Twelve other machines were authorized for sale in 1948, and delivered in two batches during 1949. All Thunderbolts are assigned to a Caza Bombardero Squadron, based in Madrid AB. Thirteen machines were still operational in 1952, and considering the direct participation of a Colombian contingent in the fighting in Korea, a new sale of fourteen machines was decided. Eleven of them arrived en bloc in May 1953, "diverted" from a ferry flight to Chile at the express request of the USAF Chief of Mission in Bogota, while the last three were delivered in September 1954. But the hour of retirement sounded, and the eighteen remaining machines were permanently banned from flying in December 1955, replaced by T-33s and Sabres.

 

Place aux photos.

 

 

[ST0RM]

Nice looking Jug! And I enjoyed reading the history lesson behind it. Thanks for sharing.

-Jeff

[Cat Barf]

Excellent P-47!

[kellyF15]

That is beautiful!