Baker2Bits
Outstanding! Really never thought we’d see the early “B” and “C” P-47s in 1/48th scale. Bravo DW!
Correction, though… There were actually 170 B-models built and though none ever went overseas for combat (that I’m aware of), they were used to equip the AAFs premier P-47 outfit, the 56th FG, starting in June of '42 during it’s work-up for deployment to England. Otherwise, the Bs were used in other stateside units as operational or conversion trainers.
I do hope the pipe sticking out of the fuselage behind the cowling isn’t how DW is going to portray the wastegates there, which were more-or-less flush with the fuselage surface within a teardrop-shaped exhaust flange and a rotating plate-type valve within the exit end. All the modern flying T-Bolts I’ve seen do have that as an alternative to the original wastegate configuration (not needed as the turbocharger has been removed anyway). I believe all other 1/48th scale P-47 kits have just shown the valve closed (easier to mold that way) rather than open as it would be for ground and low altitude operations. The valve closed in order to route all the exhaust gas back to the turbocharger to energize it.
