Review

This is the 3rd Thunderbolt from MiniArt in 1/48th scale, and I am not going to try and pretend that I know the differences between this release and the 25RE previously released other than the dorsal fin in front of the tail. All of the moulding are still of a high quality, with no discernible issues I could detect. The cockpit of the model is built in tub form with a reasonable effort in guiding the modeller with painting the details present. I like the fact that harness detail is provided in the release. I have compared the cockpit against on-line images and can only say that I am happy with what I was able to verify. Moving to the huge front end of this offering, and a very nicely detailed engine is provided in the kit, and I am sure that if photo etch is not available it soon will be to further lift this area of the release. The under carriage wheel bays, are another area MiniArt has richly embellished to great effect. Moving to the exterior of the model and you are provided with excellent panel line details that I believe has 99.9% of what should be there as I could not find any errors, but I am getting old. All of the control surfaces are separate parts, and so can be set as desired. The undercarriage itself could do with some brake pipes and hydraulic lines being replicated. 3 types of drop tank are included and 2 bomb types - depending on how you wish to finish your model. The decals are of a very high quality, and there are a lot of them. MiniArt has provided 1 for the generic decal placement. 2 finishing options and another covering the drop tanks and bombs.

The finishing options are:

346th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, 12th Airforce, Italy 1945 - Pilots Major Charles Gilbert II and 1st Lt Homer J St Onge

509th Fighter Squadron, 405th Fighter Group, Spring 1945 - Pilot Col. Chester van Etten

Conclusion

This release from MiniArt is a fantastic model of a P-47 with the huge amount of detail provided, despite being listed as a basic kit. The exterior detail is arguably some of the best I have seen, and I can not critique what is on the inside either. I am not going to complain about the lines missing from the under carriage. My only complaint is that the finishing options do not grab me with regards to the look, and if you feel the same way you will need to take a look on-line for after market finishes. But as I said I cannot fault the model contents themselves.