Review

MiniArt are not hanging around and have released their next Thunderbolt offering. This release arrives in a cardboard box with a card lid. The sprues are packaged in a single plastic bag, and is probably the one area of the model that is a disappointment to me due to the risk of damage or distortion to the mouldings. An examination of the sprues, shows that the moulds are holding up well with the detail still being crisp. As this model has been released a few times by MiniArt now, I am going to keep the review short.

Looking at the sprues, anybody who has not looked at the MiniArt Thunderbolt previously will be struck by the amount and level of panels lines present on the kit. The only risk with this is that the finer panel lines could easily disappear under a coat of paint - So take it easy when you are painting. The model includes a decent amount of photo etch, and 2 decal sheets. The photo etch supplied with the model tends to replicate things such as the harness detail for the pilot, various fine details on the engine, framework within the gun bays and so is fortunately used in areas where you would expect to see it and is not done just because it can be. It is worth taking your time to peruse the instruction booklet as there are diagrams shown there covering the hydraulic lines for the undercarriage and how the photo etch in the engine bay should look on the finished item. One area where photo etch is shown as an option is for the fins for the iron bombs - this photo etch is one area that I would not use it and instead stick with the plastic supplied in the kit. 

This model being the advanced version, has some enhanced detailing we have covered to some extent by talking about the photo etch uses. However, there is a very good full radial engine within the model, which will look very nice if displayed with the engine cowling off. If you opt to have the cowling’s in place then a decent amount of the engine can still ne seen from the front and the exhaust end from the vents at the rear of the cowling. You are provided with 2 full gun bays covering the machine guns themselves, and the ammunition chutes and feeds. The panels that cover this detail can be placed for the painting and application of decals and then either lifted off when required or permanently. The undercarriage deserves special praise, this is because the detail provided by MiniArt is equal to if not better than the undercarriage detail seen in larger scale kits, and if you take the time to add the hydraulic lines we have spoken about previously, the wheel bays become a star attraction of the finished model, and show perhaps display it on a mirror. 

MiniArt has provided 2 finishing options for this model:

30th Squadron RAF South East Asia Command, India. Jumchar, Autumn 1944

No 73 Operational Training Unit (OUT), RAF, Egypt, Spring 1945

MiniArt has taken the time to provide a detailed plan for adding the common stencils seen on both aircraft, and the only thing that would have made a nice addition to this release is a masking set or pattern for a masking set. 

Conclusion

MiniArt continues to release stunning offerings of the P47 Thunderbolt in 1/48th scale, and I like the fact that they have also taken the time to provide a basic kit and an advanced offering to make tackling this model depending on your abilities. The surface detail is stunning, and the detail in the gun bays, the cockpit, the engine and especially the undercarriage mark this model as s stunning offering regardless of whether you build this release, one of the previous releases, or any that may come in the future.