Republic P-47B-D Razorback
By John D. Miller
Author: Roobert Peczkowski
Publisher: Mushroom Model Publications
ISBN: 978-83-63678-84-5
Binding: Hardbound
Pages: 136
Most aviation buffs are familiar with the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. Then there are those of us die-hard fans that have a disproportionate amount of shelf space devoted to books on Kartveli's masterpiece: The Jug. I'm one of those. That being the case, I jumped at the chance to review the new book by Mushroom Model Publications that focuses exclusively on Razorback versions of the P-47.
The book begins with a comprehensive developmental history of the P-47 starting with the short-nosed B model through the C series, the early D series, and lastly production of the P-47G Razorback by Curtiss. Use of the Razorback by foreign countries such as China and the Soviet Union is discussed, as is use of Thunderbolt Mk. I Razorbacks by the RAF. This section is filled with crisp WWII era photos, schematics, and 30 beautiful, color drawings by Zbigniew Kolacha. Of note is a color drawing of the captured P-47D-2 that served in the Luftwaffe Zirkus Rosarius.
Of real value to the modeler is the chapter entitled "Detail Photos" which is divided into subsections each focusing on a specific portion of the airframe (fuselage, wings, engine, cockpit, canopy, tail, undercarriage, guns, and stores). I really like the way this section of the book is laid out as it features ample schematics and drawings from P-47 maintenance manuals along with WWII era photos and pictures of restored airframes. Neat!
This is another great offering from MMP. The extensive selection of pictures and schematics will provide most modelers all the information needed to build a super detailed Razorback. Thanks to Mushroom Model Publications for the review copy.